Living the Dream & Embracing the Grind — Hayley Scamurra’s Journey to 2026

When you’re a young hockey player dreaming about playing professionally someday, it’s easy to imagine the bright lights, the jerseys, and the big games. What’s harder to picture is everything in between — the travel, the pressure, the tryouts, the emotions, and the constant work.

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Team USA forward Hayley Scamurra brings us right into the middle of it.

Fresh off her move to Montreal, working toward a spot on the 2026 Olympic roster, and preparing for the Rivalry Series, Hayley shares the honest reality of chasing a dream she’s had since she was a kid. It’s inspiring, humbling, and exactly the kind of insight young players need to hear.

The Reality Behind a Dream Season

Hayley’s last few months have been anything but simple — and yet, every decision she made was rooted in purpose.

First came her move to Montreal at the start of September, settling in near the Bell Centre and preparing for the upcoming PWHL season. Then came USA Hockey camp in Michigan, followed by a deliberate choice to return home to Maryland for more time with family before the craziness of the season hits.

For kids listening, this is something important to understand:
Even the best players in the world need support, stability, and time with the people they love.

That balance is part of being a pro.

Named to the Rivalry Series — But the Work Isn’t Done

Hayley was recently announced as part of the 2024–25 Rivalry Series roster, a major step on the road toward the Olympics. But as she explains on the show, it doesn’t guarantee anything.

USA Hockey is currently carrying 30 players, and only 23 will make the Olympic roster. Every skate, every game, every moment matters.

What’s remarkable is how she approaches it:
Not with fear — but with freedom.

She shares that the last USA camp was the most “herself” she’s felt in a long time. Playing loose, playing confident, playing free. And that mindset, more than anything, is what brings out her best hockey.

Connecting With the 16-Year-Old Version of Herself

One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when Lee asks Hayley if she ever thinks about her younger self — the girl who dreamed of playing pro, who had posters of Team USA players on her wall, who wanted nothing more than to skate every day.

Hayley admits she’s been thinking about that a lot.

When things feel overwhelming — a new city, a new team, the Olympic pressure — she reminds herself of one thing:

She’s living the dream she once wished for.

That mindset shift keeps her grounded. It keeps her grateful. And it helps her push through the challenges with purpose.

What Young Players Need to Hear

The episode ends with a message that should be written on the inside of every hockey bag:

“Just be you.”

Not the version of yourself you think coaches want…
Not the version that compares to teammates…
Not the version that plays scared or safe…

Just be the true you.

Because that’s where confidence lives.
That’s where growth happens.
And that’s how your best hockey shows up.

Final Thoughts: Stay True to the Grind

If there’s one thing Hayley, Lee, and this entire series reminds us, it’s this:

👉 The grind isn’t the price — it’s the privilege.

The early mornings, the workouts, the friendships, the big games, and the small wins in between… they all matter. And one day, every player realizes those moments were the best part of the journey.

We’ll check in with Hayley again later this season — after she steps onto the ice in the Rivalry Series and into the PWHL season with Montreal. There’s more to come, and we can’t wait to share the next chapter with you.

Until then, keep believing in your game — and in yourself.
We sure do. 🏒💙