A Day in the Life (Mid-Season): Inside the Mind of a PWHL Olympian

Mid-season in professional hockey is where things get real.

The excitement of opening night has worn off. Bodies are sore. Travel is relentless. Games come fast. And in an Olympic year, the stakes somehow get even higher.

For Haley Scamurra, this season isn’t just about playing pro hockey — it’s about living in the moment while preparing for the biggest stage in the sport.

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Haley takes us inside her world as a PWHL veteran, a Team USA Olympian, and a leader navigating one of the most unique seasons women’s hockey has ever seen.

🇺🇸 Making Team USA — and Moving On

Getting the call that you’ve made the Olympic team is something most athletes dream about their entire lives.

Haley describes the moment honestly: the nerves, staring at the phone, the relief, the tears, the joy. But what stands out most is what comes next.

There’s no victory lap.

The next day?
Back to work. Back to the PWHL. Back to preparing for the next game.

That ability to celebrate briefly, then refocus is a hallmark of elite athletes — and a powerful lesson for young players who think success means slowing down.

🏒 Teammates Today, Opponents Tomorrow

This season marks the first time a prominent women’s professional league is running through an Olympic year. That means Haley is lining up every night against players she’ll soon call teammates in Italy.

So how does she handle it?

Simple — game face on.

There’s mutual respect, but no favors. Playing hard is the respect. Competing fully is the job.

It’s a reminder that professionalism isn’t about emotion — it’s about commitment, preparation, and giving your best every time the puck drops.

🧠 Why the Standings Don’t Matter (Yet)

Ask Haley where her team sits in the standings, and you’ll get an honest reaction — she’s not checking daily.

And for good reason.

With a three-point system and constant movement in the PWHL table, standings can change overnight. Haley focuses on:

• The game in front of her

• Executing her role

• Helping the team win today

That mindset keeps players grounded — and keeps energy focused where it belongs.

🛡️ The Art (and Pride) of the Penalty Kill

One of the most revealing parts of the conversation is Haley’s love for the penalty kill.

She doesn’t see it as survival mode — she sees it as an opportunity to:

• Kill momentum

• Control space

• Shift energy back to her team

Her explanation of PK positioning, pressure, and awareness is a clinic in hockey IQ — and proof that roles matter just as much as goals.

For young players especially, it’s a reminder that there are many ways to impact a game.

🔄 Roles, Chemistry, and Doing the Little Things

Haley’s role isn’t about chasing points.

It’s about:

• Winning puck battles

• Creating space

• Supporting linemates

• Making smart, reliable plays

She explains how understanding your role — and executing it consistently — earns trust from coaches and teammates. That trust is what leads to bigger moments and bigger responsibilities.

This is elite hockey thinking in its purest form.

🥗 Recovery, Nutrition, and the Daily Grind

Mid-season success isn’t just about skill — it’s about sustainability.

Haley shares how she manages:

• Nutrition

• Recovery

• Rest

• Travel

• Off days (actually taking them)

From sauna sessions to working with Team USA nutritionists, the theme is clear: availability is performance.

You can’t compete if you’re not taking care of your body.

🌱 From Teammate to Veteran Leader

Now in her third PWHL season and heading to her second Olympics, Haley is embracing her role as a veteran.

Leadership isn’t loud.
It’s consistent.
It’s supportive.
It’s showing up every day and helping others feel confident enough to play their best.

That evolution — from player to leader — is one of the most meaningful transitions in any athlete’s career.

🏁 Final Takeaway

This mid-season “Day in the Life” isn’t just about hockey.

It’s about focus, humility, preparation, and professionalism — values that apply far beyond the rink.

As Haley heads toward the Olympics and the second half of the PWHL season, one thing is clear: success isn’t accidental. It’s built quietly, daily, and with intention.

And we’re grateful she continues to bring us along for the ride. 🏒💙