Lessons from Hayley Scamurra’s Youth Hockey Journey

From Buffalo to the Big Stage

When you watch Team USA forward and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dominate on the ice, it’s easy to see the results — speed, skill, and poise under pressure. What you don’t see is the demanding youth hockey journey that helped her get there.

Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Hayley played high school hockey in Canada — a 90-minute drive each way for practice. With three practices a week plus weekend games, she was crossing the border about five times weekly, juggling high school classes, travel, and the growing pressures of college recruiting.

“I’d get home around midnight and be up at 6 a.m. for school. Looking back, I’m not sure how I did it,” Hayley says.

What She Wishes She’d Done Differently

Even the pros have “if I could go back” moments. For Hayley, two stood out:

• Prioritize Sleep: Long travel and late nights took a toll. Sleepwalking episodes were a red flag that her body was running on empty.

• Better Nutrition: With little time to prepare meals, fast food became the norm. While those calories kept her going, she now recognizes the importance of fueling her body with the right foods.

Her advice for young players? Sleep is not optional. It’s a performance tool. And when possible, plan ahead with healthy snacks and meals — your future self will thank you.

Knowing When to Pull Back

Like many multi-sport athletes, Hayley played soccer in high school alongside hockey. But after a bout of pneumonia her sophomore year, she realized her body was sending a clear message: you can’t do everything. From junior year on, she focused solely on hockey, with tennis as her summer sport.

Takeaway: Be honest about your workload. Burnout or illness isn’t a badge of honor — it’s your body’s way of forcing rest.

Finding Joy and Managing Pressure

Youth hockey often comes with pressure — from coaches, parents, and self-expectations. Hayley admits she sometimes felt she had to play a “perfect game” to please her dad. Over time, she learned to set boundaries, especially around post-game conversations.

One strategy she recommends for players:

“If you’ve had a bad game, tell your parents, ‘I need 24 hours before talking about it.’ You know when you’ve had a rough game — you don’t need it rehashed right away.”

This isn’t about shutting parents out; it’s about creating space to process and return to the rink with a healthy mindset.

For Parents and Players Alike

Co-host Lee Elias echoes the importance of these boundaries. As a parent himself, he notes that the urge to talk about the game is often rooted in love, but respecting a child’s readiness to discuss it is key. Parents who can listen without immediate critique help build a player’s confidence and long-term enjoyment.

Final Shift

Whether you dream of the Olympics or simply love your local team, Hayley’s journey is a reminder:

• Rest matters.

• Nutrition matters.

• Boundaries matter.

• Joy matters most.

Hockey is a marathon, not a sprint. Play hard, take care of yourself, and remember — the love of the game should fuel your journey more than anything else.

If you enjoyed Hayley’s insights, be sure to check out her full “Day in the Life” episode on Our Kids Play Hockey to hear her schedule as a pro and Olympian. And wherever you are in your hockey journey — we believe in you. You should, too. Skate on and skate hard