Redefining Strength in Girls Hockey: Confidence, Body Image, and What Really Matters

If you ask young female hockey players what they worry about most off the ice, the answers often come quietly — or not at all.

But the truth is, body image, confidence, and comparison weigh heavily on girls long before they reach elite levels of the game. In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra tackle one of the most important — and under-discussed — topics in youth sports today.

This isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s a real one.

When Body Image Becomes Part of the Game

Hayley Scamurra’s journey is one many girls can relate to.

She shares stories of struggling to find jeans that fit, feeling self-conscious about muscular arms and strong legs, and equating a number on the scale with performance — even while excelling on the ice.

What’s striking isn’t just that she experienced these pressures — it’s how early they started.

And she’s clear about one thing now:
👉 The scale doesn’t define strength. How you feel and perform does.

That mindset shift didn’t happen overnight. It evolved as her understanding of strength matured — from something she once felt embarrassed by to the very trait that set her apart as an elite player.

Strength Isn’t “Bulky” — It’s Functional

One of the biggest myths still circulating in youth sports is that strength training makes girls “too bulky.”

Hayley breaks this down simply and honestly:

• Genetics determine body type

• Strength training improves performance and prevents injury

• Being strong does not mean looking a certain way

In fact, many of the strongest athletes don’t look the way social media suggests they “should.”

Lee reinforces this by reframing the conversation around health, not appearance. Strong legs mean faster skating. A strong core means better balance. Strength has a purpose — and that purpose shows up on the ice.

Social Media: Comparison Isn’t Reality

The comparison trap is everywhere — especially online.

Both hosts stress an important reminder for players and parents alike:

Your social feed is not reality.

Filters, poses, editing, and selective sharing create unrealistic expectations that can quietly chip away at confidence. Hayley offers practical advice:

• Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger negative self-talk

• Follow athletes and creators who promote strength, honesty, and positivity

• Pay attention to how content makes you feel

Confidence isn’t built through comparison — it’s built through self-awareness and boundaries.

What Parents and Coaches Can Do Differently

One of the most impactful parts of the conversation centers on adults.

Lee emphasizes:

• Talk about health, not weight

• Focus on what the body can do, not how it looks

• Lead by example — kids notice everything

• Don’t avoid hard conversations just because they feel awkward

Sometimes, simply naming a player’s strength — especially one they’ve never been told before — can change how they see themselves.

And that matters more than we realize.

The Message Every Girl Needs to Hear

As the episode closes, Hayley delivers a message every young player deserves to hear:

💬 “I’ve been there too. You’re not alone. Your body can do amazing things — and you’re beautiful no matter what.”

Strength isn’t one size fits all. Confidence isn’t built by fitting a mold. And hockey — at its best — should be a place where girls learn to trust their bodies, not question them.

Final Thought

These conversations aren’t always easy. They can be uncomfortable, emotional, and messy.

But they’re necessary.

Because when we redefine strength for girls in hockey, we don’t just build better athletes — we build more confident, resilient humans.

If this episode resonated with you, we encourage you to share it, talk about it, and keep the conversation going. Our girls deserve that.

💙