Olympic Gold: Hayley Scamurra and Team USA’s Historic Run | 2026 Women’s Ice Hockey

Hello, hockey friends and families around the world, and welcome back to a dual episode of Our Kids Play Hockey and Our Girls Play Hockey. Our co-host and guest today is Hayley Scamurra. Hayley, you've been off for a couple weeks. Anything happen, exciting, where you were gone? Anything major? No, nothing, nothing too crazy. Oh, see, now if you're listening to the show. Yeah. I'm looking at a gold medal. I'm looking at a USA hockey gold medal. For those of you who can't see us, I'm wearing a USA hockey jersey, blue like the gold medal. And Hayley is not shy at all about that, which I love. Joining me as always is Mike Bonelli and Christie Casciano-Burns. Hayley, I'm not going to lie to you. We're all squeamish with joy today to have you on to talk about a lifetime accomplishment. I mean, there's no words I could put together here. to even begin to talk about what you and Team USA have just accomplished, winning a gold medal. I know we've been talking about it for months leading up to this, but it's happened. I mean, I think the first thing from all of us is just thank you. Wow. Congratulations. We're so proud of you. What does it feel like to be a gold medalist? Tell us. Does it ever sink in? You got to still be floating from all of it. I'm still, yeah, it's still processing, but like, honestly, the more we've been back and like celebrating with people and like seeing all the support and love online, it's kind of like cemented more and more as time has passed. Uh, you know, I was joking with the girls and we were on the ice. I'm like, I need to see the metal. Like, it's not real yet. Like put the metal on me. Let me see this thing. Uh, so yeah, I think it's just like been a gradual process that keeps kind of getting more and more cemented in my brain, but it's pretty incredible. Well, I will say this, Hayley. We were all watching with you. It was so cool for us to see you looking for the medal. Actually, we were watching you. We were joking that there's Hayley directing traffic after the game was over, telling people what to do. Maybe not what to do, but where to go. Look for the audience listening. This is what we're going to do today. We're going to gush over Hayley. We're going to go through the whole tournament. We're going to talk about winning this gold medal. We're here to celebrate the women's team. We are going to do more episodes. Once Hayley gets a rest, we'll do a Q and a with the kids. We'll, we'll dive way more into this, but today is about Hayley and team USA and what they've accomplished. And just to give everybody the timeline and how gracious Hayley is, right? Cause you're always gracious with your time. Won the gold medal. Basically got through the closing ceremony, flew back here, had a game against the Siren victory. Congratulations by that. Thank you. Is between games right now, has a game tomorrow. Just no time to rest for you. And the fact that you're giving us some time, because I know for a fact that a lot of people are interviewing you right now. We saw you with Bruce Boudreaux. I mean, you're just everywhere right now. This is our time with you. So I'm just claiming that, putting the flag in the air. in the sand. But Hayley, let's just start. Let's walk through the tournament. Okay. Yeah. And, and live it with our listener listeners right now. Opening night. I'm going to go through it right now. Just so everybody has a quick recap. Opening night, five, one win over Chechia. I'm sorry. Chechia. Then five, nothing over Finland, five, nothing over Sweden, five Switzerland. I'm too excited. Five, nothing over Canada in the prelims, six, nothing over Italy in the quarterfinal, five, nothing over Sweden in the semifinal two to one overtime game winning championship. Against Canada in the final, seven games, seven wins, complete dominance. I mean, when you look back at that stretch, and this is the most dominant team in Olympic history with the strongest competition in the history of the women's game in the Olympics. When you look back, what is different about this team? I like that you pointed that out in terms of, like, the teams are still competitive. Like, it's not like the other teams weren't good. Like, everyone was a great team, but, like, we were just so – on it like everyone from top to bottom everyone played their best game throughout the entire tournament we all knew our role we all knew what needed to be done in order for us to achieve getting that gold medal and I think it just felt like so destined like the whole time it just felt like it was meant the tournament was meant for us it just felt yeah we were just so confident the whole time and it was really cool to have it come to fruition obviously at the end yeah it was cool for it was me go ahead mike no i was just gonna say let's say it was cool for me because you know like you're you're you're i'm in the in the hockey world all the time so we're always i'm always doing something i'm in the i'm at the gym with the hockey kids and with the girls team at practice i'm with the boys you know team doing training and then here you are on the tv right and i think that is it the first game that you scored two goals Or was it so? And so and we're and it was funny because I was just using you as a good a great example of a show we did a long time ago when one or not, you know, not that long ago. But just one of our one of one of our listeners talking about like asking you about your points. Yeah, I'm not a point person. And, you know, that's not that's not something I focus on. And then I'm laughing. I'm like. I'm like, God, this girl's going to get a hat trick here today. The first game of the Olympics. But so it was really, you know, for me, that was really cool because I think it really just showed in a lot of ways, you know, you know, kind of the perseverance of getting through all this great stuff that you've been doing to make the team and, and go through all the process of being a great teammate. And here you are contributing to, uh in in the the world stage and all of a sudden playing a role that you normally wouldn't have been given and or expected to do right so it must have been such a great lift and then i'll give a shout out to frankl who is our hometown westchester new york girl who i mean unbelievably is just putting up zeros you know the whole tournament so i think it's uh it was pretty wild Yeah, it was definitely nice to contribute. It was kind of funny it happened again because it happened in Czech at Worlds the year before where I scored two in the opener of the tournament. I'm like, I guess this is what I do now. You know, like I was telling the girls, it's just so easy playing on that team to be able to contribute in that way. I mean, I just had great setups from my teammates and just... everyone just plays so predictable for one another. It's just, it makes it the game so much easier. Like it kind of like is slower almost in a way. So, yeah. Well, I just want to preface this too, Hayley, because again, you were so humble. You had mentioned prior to the tournament, you'd probably be the thirteenth forward and that your ice time would be very limited. You had limited ice time in that game. What was so cool for us is the broadcast. I don't know if you've even had a chance to even watch any of these games, The broadcasters were talking about you, who you are, what you stand for. I mean, again, we'll get into this show, but the name Skamora, your father obviously held it too. People know you. I mean, it was so cool that your name was up over and over again. They mentioned you every broadcast. And the reason I'm bringing that up is as your friend, as your co-host, It's so deserving, right, just because of who you are and what you've done in the game thus far. But they said it, after a thirteenth forward, she's making the most of those minutes. And then obviously scored again. We'll get into this later against Sweden. But just an amazing performance by the team. And you could feel it, just kind of going back to the original question here. You know, we talk about teams of destiny, teams of confidence. Um, you're right. It was obvious. And again, look, I've been watching women's hockey in the Olympics since, since the inception. I'm going to say it again. This is the most dominant performance I've ever seen. I think everyone knew everyone was expecting the, the, the gold medal game to be the gold medal game. Like no, nobody I know, uh, was thinking Canada is going to lay down. All right. But everything prior to that, I mean, my goodness, it was, it was destiny for you guys to get to where you got to. Sorry. I'll gush all day. Christie, you're up. I'm going to have to control myself. I kind of sort of, I want to feel what she was feeling during that gold medal game. So let's say, you know, Canada's firing at all cylinders, right? You're in the locker room before that over time. What was that like? How did you settle your nerves? Was there a big speech, a motivational speech before you went out there? I'd love to hear the insight of what that locker room was like before that gold medal win. You know, I mean, we were just on a high for sure because Hill had literally tied it up two minutes before getting into the locker room. And then also, I think we just kind of all knew, I felt we knew that we were going to win the game. It was just a matter of like when and who and... Um, so overall the, the vibe was very light. Like we were all just chatting kind of like normal, like you went between any period. And obviously we're like, you know, we got this, like, let's go. Everyone just keep doing what you're doing and, uh, you know, keep the foot on the gas. And, um, and then obviously like coach comes in game plan, different strategies we can maybe use to like, uh, uh, gain advantages with three on three overtime. But yeah, overall, we were really confident going into that overtime. Yeah. Wow. And then when you saw that goal, the goal, the golden goal, what were you thinking? What were you feeling? How did you react? You know, did you look up at the stands? She stepped over the bench. Yeah, I flew. I don't know. I was so excited. I don't even know if I processed the play that had occurred. I just... was freaking out and just screaming and just hugging everyone i could see and like uh you know girls are crying girls are just ecstatic it's uh it was super emotional it was really really cool and uh like i said earlier i was like i need to see like this isn't real we just won a gold medal at the olympics we're at the olympics like where is this gold medal let me see it it felt like it took years to get the gold medal when we were on the ice it felt so long yeah it took a second but uh yeah it was worth it obviously I love that. I love that. We can only imagine. Yeah. And, you know, it's funny, Hayley, about that last play. I remember Sam prior to the overtime. This is true in most big hockey games, right? It's like someone's going to have to take a massive risk to win this game because everybody is so careful. And, boy, I mean, that play was insanity. Our D at the far blue line. Yeah, yeah. It's like the D won the tournament in that situation. Yeah. Just amazing. Just help prove that there's no, there's all positionalist hockey. And at some point, and not going to be today, but we are going to talk about the controversy of three on three hockey in the Olympics for overtime. But we'll let Canada discuss that. We're a yeah because we'll take advantage of the fact that you guys you know had had the right people on the ice at the right time and made that happen but i think you know it was funny because it's just like it it's actually it could go both ways right that elation of of scoring so late in the game and then almost you like oh no ice cut no i like i like the ice sometimes like for like for a coach i'm like oh god like We don't want the, because all of a sudden that can, you know, a lot of ways kills momentum sometimes, but you guys, you showed no momentum, you know, pause at all. So I think that was a really benefit for the, you know, and maybe it was just the maturity of the team that, you know, you were able to come in. Let the ice cut happen. Get back out there and then elevate your game to basically the same level as you left it. That's so hard to do for any level. But in that kind of a setting, it must have been a really mental, you know, gymnastics a little bit just to be able to do that as an athlete. Yeah. Yeah, I want to say this too, and I know Christie's got a question about your captain, Hillary Knight, but I love that you talked about the locker room between the third and the overtime, just the confidence. I think for the listeners, especially the parents, and if there's kids listening, I think sometimes we put negative pressure on ourselves in those situations of I have to win, this has to happen, oh my God, what if we lose? What if we lose the gold medal? And it wasn't any of that. It was calm, collected team of we're built for this moment. Hayley, I'd love for you to expunge on that even more because that's not something that just organically happens. That's through the tournament, through the years together, and through the experience of learning how to be calm in those moments. Is that correct? Yeah, I think, you know, it definitely having all the experiences from like World Championships and Ravelry Series and things like that, I think you kind of learn how to handle those moments. And I think that's why there was always like such an emphasis on like veteran experience and having the youth and I always felt like I didn't really like that conversation because I'm like, I think we have a perfect mix of both. Like, just because we have young kids doesn't mean we don't have experience on our team. We have Hillary Knight, Lee Stecklein, Megyn Keller, like all these people who have the experience who can help the younger kids through those moments because it is bigger. It feels bigger. It gets, you know... it gets crazy out there like all of a sudden the emotions kind of overtake you at times and I think the leadership really did such a great job of just kind of keeping everyone like calm cool and collected like literally the whole third period before we even tied it up everyone's like we're good we've got this like just keep going keep going it's happening it's coming and you know our leadership leads the way in both of the goals so it was just yeah perfect perfect ending. Hayley, let's take a deeper dive into that leadership, specifically Hillary Knight, five Olympics, your captain, thirty three career Olympic points, a U.S. record. So tell us about her leadership. What makes it different? What makes it so dynamic? What makes it work? I mean, I think it's a lot of it's like her passion for the game, her passion for winning. She's a very competitive person. I think she kind of drags everyone into the fight to make sure like we're all fired up. You know, there's points in the tournament. Maybe we like let our foot off the gas for a second or maybe we weren't playing as physical as we could. Like she was holding people accountable and making sure like we were still remembering what our end goal is and what we needed to do to get to that point. Cause she's not like super vocal all the time, but she speaks when it needs to be spoken. And I think people make sure they listen when she's talking. So yeah. And I think the way she plays too, and the way she carries herself, she's just such a leader in every aspect of on ice, off ice. And, you know, I think all the girls would follow her anywhere. You know, what's amazing about her, too, not only the game tying goal, which is like, of course, of course, Hillary Knight was in front of the net in the dirty area with with a really pro level tip, by the way. Like, you know, everyone was just kind of saying, oh, she was. No, that was a low level deflection. Yes. Like you can tell if you watch it, especially in slow motion. She knew exactly what she was doing. But of course, that was her. I think my favorite moment with her, though. was they were interviewing after everything, after the gold medals were given out. And it says everything about her. Someone says, you are now the U.S. point leader. And she had no idea. She had no idea. And she actually opened her eyes really big. So that was a pretty cool moment. Yeah, it was very timely. I was just playing in a game recently up at Chote Prep School. And I see her banner up there. You know, a lot of love, a lot of banners up there. But her banner in particular, when I was sending it to the group saying I was laughing, like they're going to really have to, you know, add another layer to the banner here at the bottom. And it's really just a great story career. And I think such a great person to have in the locker room. It's funny, I was texting a buddy of mine watching the game like, and just as i'm texting like hello i mean she's getting you know she's getting old here to be out there all these olympics and all that boom she tips it in she's winning the game she's like she's the most energized person on the ice i mean it's it's really it's a really unbelievable thing to go to a whole game like that and for her to have that composure as your leader uh to be and it's like to lee's point it's like it it's like pretty much scripted right you're like come on, it can't be, there's no way it could be her scoring this goal. So I think it's, but I think it was a really cool, you know, great moment for her USA hockey. And certainly, you know, the, the, the, the group that, you know, put this team together, you know, the group that, the group that said, Hey, this is the, this is the team we want. And we've talked about it a million times on our show that who knows, and you could debate on whether it was the best individual players ever assembled or but it was the best team assembled. Absolutely. They definitely need a bigger banner there. Yeah, that's the joke. We're going to need a bigger banner. Let's talk about your coaching staff because they totally deserve some recognition here, right? I'm going to read them all, all right? Head coach John Robleski, your assistant coaches Sherry Dickerman, Brent Hill, Josh Skiba, goaltending catch Allie Altman, Obviously, Katie Million, who's been on our show before, the GM, player development coach, Ellen Hughes, name that's well known now, strength and conditioning coach, Cal Dietz, the team physician, Dr. Allie Howe, operations manager, Doug Ferry, right? I'm putting all the names like the credits of a movie right here. let's focus on them for a little bit, right? Cause we always joke, right? The players win the games and the coaches lose the games. There's no losses here. So what did, what did coach and the staff do culturally to prepare this group? And let's also talk about what great coaches do in Olympic environments and that youth coaches can apply tomorrow at practice. Because let's be honest, there is no higher level in the game than this, right? So tell me about your coaches, how they prepared you, and let's talk some wisdom about Olympic coaching and how it can affect youth hockey. Yeah, I would say for the coaches, they just kind of kept the confidence the whole time throughout the whole tournament. He's like, there might be bumps in the road. There might be things that don't go our way necessarily, but like, we're going to make it through them and we are winning. Like we're going all the way, like we've got this. And I think that was huge. There was a lot of moments where maybe like, moment got big for us and he just kind of reminded us even in the gold medal game he was reminding us after the first period he's like all right we got away from our game a little bit there like let's get back to what we've been doing the whole tournament you guys are good you've you're you're more skilled you're faster you're stronger like you've got this uh so i think that was a huge message that we kind of kept throughout the whole tournament and that we were reminded of and then we always did video and even after like our dominant wins like there was always things to continue working on and to continue focus on focusing on And, you know, he's like, I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't doing this. And we're like, we're aware, like, it's okay. You know, and he's so funny about that. But yeah, it was just focusing on like little things that we could do to like upgrade a play is what we would say a lot of the time. Like, hey, this was so good, but we can upgrade it in this way and things like that. So I think... Those little fixes were huge. And then in terms of staff, I'm going to give a few more shout outs. There's Katie Homan, our AT who does literally everything for us. She will work at all hours of the night, the morning, whatever we need. And then Jennifer Chee, our massage therapist has been with us for years as well. And she's incredible. And so like our med staff is just above and beyond. They will do anything for their players and everything. making sure we're always feeling our best and feeling as healthy as possible. And, you know, people were fighting through stuff, obviously, and they do such a good job of like advocating for their players and making sure we're doing what we want and what's best for us as well. So just wanted to throw those things in too. No, please shout them out. Like, you know, look, this is a special show, right? You've been on the show for a long time now. It's... we're all about showing that this is more than just what's going on on the ice. It takes a whole team. It takes a village. When you have a support group like that, that's pretty amazing. I have to ask this because, again, you're living it. I'm not sure you're staying it. Have you all seen your coaches' reaction to the game ending? because that was one of the most raw and beautiful moments I think I've ever seen as a coach. And I totally, on some level, get it because it's like suddenly all of the pressure is gone. And I'm sure he was feeling it in overtime against Canada. But I think we learned a lot about who he was in that moment as well, right? Mm-hmm. Yeah, I totally agree. I think, yeah, you could just see like the total emotional release like, right. I think because he was also holding it for us as well with the confidence and the calmness at times and to then have it come to fruition I think was just incredible and to see that he cared that much meant a lot to me and I know meant a lot to my teammates as well and um yeah it was pretty emotional to see that reaction afterwards because no we had no idea obviously we're jumping on the ice so we had no clue but like you know we obviously got to like give hugs like after the big celebration and stuff so he had been more composed at that point relatively but um yeah i mean i think we always knew that he cared but then to see it in that moment is was really special so here's my last question on that front right so uh you know when we think of usa hockey we think of her brooks we think about a lot of amazing coaches right and we talk a lot on the show Hayley and Mike and Christie about kind of modern coaching, being a little more empathetic in nature and a little more, you know, it's not so much player first, but just understanding that these are people, we're not cattle, right? Yeah. I'm sure he brought that style of coaching, right? But I'd be remiss if we didn't explain this for the audience of, again, we're talking Olympic level gold medal coaching. Right. How does he interact with you as people? And, and how can we look at that today as coaches? And I'm kind of talking about the coach who thinks like, Hey, like it's tough love. You know, we got to go hard. And again, there's, there's part of that, obviously you got to challenge your players, but you see where I'm going with this? Like, like, yeah. How did he bring that to the table? I would say not demoralize them. Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. I would say he did a good job of like, he coached different people differently and like based on their roles and stuff, I think he was definitely harder sometimes on like, you know, the leadership and people like that, like in terms of like their gameplay, like things, if they were like maybe lacking in the D zone or things like that, I think sometimes he would go a little harder, but I mean, overall, he always kind of led with like, how much he cared about the team and how much he wanted to see success and like how much potential he saw in those players. And I know what you're capable of kind of thing. So I think that was always made known, I would say. But yeah, definitely, you know, more empathy. It wasn't like a coach is the enemy kind of thing. Right. Like you see in the Herb Brooks movie, but yeah. You know, it's funny. So we have, you know, we're just talking to our like thinking about our audience here and the fact that like it's not normal for a professional athlete to be in like an in-season tournament. Right. Our youth programs every weekend is an in-season tournament. you know, basically every weekend. Right. So can you just talk a little bit about how the coaching staff actually approached that? And, you know, in this very short condensed period of time, I know we talked a little bit about before you left, right. And the preparation you did, you did as an athlete, but can you just talk about like the, you know, how it's really under a microscope and how you have to make decisions that maybe a coach wouldn't normally make in a longer tournament about, you know, how do I, like, how do I determine the, well it's easy to determine who your goaltender is if they don't give up any goals but like how do you determine you know who plays and who doesn't and and and quickly pivoting right because you it's not like in the pwhl you basically have you have a longer on ramp to figure out okay by the time we get to the playoffs we're going to be a built machine but in the olympic hockey and tournament hockey it happens in nine days and i'm just wondering you know what your experience was in that and maybe what coaches can take from that you know when they go into their little you know mini tournaments Yeah, I think in those instances, you kind of just have to make decisions based on like gameplay. Like it can't really be based off of like things in the past necessarily because I think it's really based on that tournament how that person's feeling in that tournament and how they've been showing up I think but I mean to be honest like our team everyone was playing so well I don't even think there was that many decisions that had to be made and everyone was kind of executing their role perfectly so I think you know once in a while there was a few tweaks here and there in terms of like lines and things like that but again I think he would make that decision kind of in the game and who was on maybe and who was maybe not as on, I guess you would say, and just pairing different people. But I mean, yeah, I think it's game time decisions and kind of just go with your instinct. You know, Hayley, let's turn back. Hayley, I'm kind of curious too about I want to get into your Olympic experience, if we could. Hayley, so you're in the Olympic Village. What was that like for you? What kind of camaraderie did you feel? Did you get to see other athletic events? I know they were pretty spread out, so you probably didn't get to see curling. Darn, I would have loved a front row seat to that. But... But so did you get to experience that? And, you know, was there a feeling of let's go and cheer other competitions, other athletes on other sports? What was that like for you? Yeah, so we, there was speed skating, long track and short track. And then there was also figure skating and then the men's and women's hockey team. So that was the only thing in our village in terms of living there and the only events we could see in person. Every other event was like five hours away, like not close at all. Um, and so there was definitely camaraderie for sure. We had like our team USA building and, uh, we were on the same floor as the speed skaters. I know some of the other girls were on the same floor as the men's hockey team. Um, and then the figure skaters were somewhere else, but again, like we had like gathering spaces, people would like watch events together. Um, and that's one of my favorite parts, obviously besides the hockey stuff is going to see other people compete and seeing what they're bringing and, uh, cheering on your fellow USA athletes. So I figure skating in person is just next level. I think there's something so special and like beautiful watching that in person and speed skating is also just so fast and so exciting. Uh, so all of those were great to see and yeah, it is a camaraderie for sure. And we're all wearing our, you know, USA garb that we get and, uh, you know, seeing what outfits everyone else picks and, um, yeah, it was great to get to know everyone. Oh, my gosh. Was there something that you ate that was just really memorable, like a food or kind of an experience that you took away from there? Like, I got to go back there and do that again. I mean, dining hall food was what it was. It's just dining hall food. It wasn't it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't amazing. You know, it's not like Italian food, right? Like you're in Italy. I know. I know about the food there. That's true. That's true. But, uh, yeah, we, uh, we got to go out a little bit, but nothing too crazy. Cause we also were like focusing on the competition for most of the time. So like you might do a small thing here and there, but I, I didn't go out as much, honestly. And I'm also gluten free. So it was kind of harder, but, um, Yeah. Yeah. You're exposing how dumb I am thinking like that, like, you know, you're going to go to the Olympics. It's like everything's like Lake Placid, like everything's right there. Like, you know, you're like, you're like, I don't even know if there was even another event going on. It was like in a different country. You know, so I think it's funny how like I think us as viewers, you know, you're watching, you're thinking, oh i'm sure they just took the tram and went and saw the you know saw the long jump or whatever you know like but it's just like i think it's funny how you know as the production goes along like i mean maybe to chris with chrissy's uh saying too like like what did you guys do on your downtime i mean it like was there i mean you're stuck in the olympic village it didn't sound like you're you know going and touring the the you know the downtown uh you know uh the you know restaurants and things like that did you meet any world will now know musicians slash olympic broadcasters while you happen to be there i think that's what might might be alluding to a little bit right i missed martha but i did get to meet snoop like three different times which was incredible uh he was so amazing he just gave everyone like the warmest hugs and reception and he was just so kind like he's so genuine having conversations with everyone he could taking pictures with everyone taking videos for people like literally anything he was down he had little snoop pins so i have that somewhere in this apartment right now and he's and he's become a big hockey fan a really big hockey fan massive fan yes he has yes he has i think that's attributed to us for sure but uh Yeah, that was super cool. And then, you know, we got to like explore a little bit. I went to the, you know, Milan Cathedral and things like that and explored that downtown area a little bit. I had wanted to see the Olympic cauldron. I didn't end up having time to go do that. But other than that, just spent time with like family and friends and stuff. Well, I'll say this too. We got to live through you a bit through your social media. I actually want to thank you, you know, because here's the deal. Like when I'm at events like this, I'm pretty focused on what I'm trying to do. There was no shortage of posts from you about what you were doing and enjoying your time, especially. I think we saw all three meetings with Snoop via your Instagram. Yes. For those of you who are listening, you should go follow Hayley. I do want to talk about your personal tournament a little bit like you. And again, you're always so humble, but I want to ask because we've been talking about your preparation for this. I love this, right? If I'm not mistaken, you have one goal in the PWH all the season. Is that correct? Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Yeah. You finished the Olympics with three goals in seven years. That's pretty, that's pretty amazing. You know, and you had a two goal performance in your first game. We talked about this. We've talked on previous shows with you about how the stats don't necessarily define you at this level. I know we're gushing about your three goals. It's pretty wild that, that, you know, you went on the score sheet like that, but when you evaluate your own performance here, what are you most proud of that maybe doesn't show up on the score sheet? Ooh, I will say our PK went a hundred percent. I don't think that's getting enough love because the men went a hundred percent. I was like, so did the women. Let's not forget women went a hundred percent as well. I'll take it USA a hundred percent PK. We did do it first. And that's like my bread and butter. Like I love the PK. Yeah. Very, very happy about that. I think that's pretty cool that we did that. um killed off some big ones in the gold medal game for sure yeah um and yeah i would say that's probably what i'm most proud of well it was it was very obvious too and you know what's cool Hayley is we talked again before the episode about your role on this team would be limited minutes but i'll be honest with you and we watched every game all right i mean you were noticeable out there and and it felt like coach was calling you you know in fact we were starting to understand like when your shifts were going to come right whether it would be like in obviously special teams But also it was kind of like not a relief role, but like there were times when they definitely did that kind of energy defensive shift. Right. At least that's what I was picking up on. Can you tell us about, you know, with coach, like, did you have a sense of that? I mean, how did he interact with you in terms of, hey, I need you out there now? Because, again, for the listeners, you were listed as the thirteenth forward. So you could play on any line. which is pretty awesome in itself. But limited time, you made the most of it. You made your impact out there. How did the coach convey that to you? And then you personally, again, for the list, especially the kids, you've got to have the right mindset to play minutes like that. Walk us through that. So for me, he's told me that the whole time, like he was always telling me I'm the thirteenth forward, you know, we'll get you in when we get you in. He was always very forthcoming about that. But what I've noticed is he usually ends up putting me in when we need the boost of energy like you were saying when we need like a defensive play to happen to like get the puck out maybe we were hemmed in our D zone for a while. Maybe we're not for checking well like I'm great on the for check and like create opportunities in that way. So I think I usually have an idea of when he's about to say my name with a line. He's like, let's go scams, you know, like, he doesn't usually have to say much, and I, you know, for me, I just know. because I knew my time was limited, it's like, hey, whenever I go, just give a hundred percent and just put it all out there. And, you know, afterwards hearing like how much my teammates like appreciate that about me and like feed off of my energy and things like that. I think being reminded of that is also super helpful. And then it also gives you more energy in turn. So that was also a big piece for me. Well, I want to say this too, and Christie, this is actually going to set up your next question perfectly too. Hayley, again, I was probably a little more hyper-focused on watching you when you were out there just because we know you, right? Yeah. But the precision, I'm talking as a coach now, like the precision in which you played I actually encourage everybody to go back and watch her shifts if you can, because here's the thing, like you were, you were disrupting plays. You were never in any play that I saw a defensive liability. I would go into plus minus, but since you only let up two goals, the entire tournament, it doesn't seem like it doesn't seem like it mattered to anybody. That's such a good point. Like, like the other thing I noticed is this, is there was this point of patience in your game. All right. You know, where, where, there didn't seem to be a moment of me watching you or any of us watching you. where there was desperation in your game, right? And we talked about the younger players where sometimes the moment can get to you. There was such poise, such precision. And again, you do this in the PWHL every night. You know, it's just at the Olympic level, everything's on the line. You're getting minutes in the gold medal game. I mean, it was just, it was really a pleasure to watch. I guess I'm paying you a compliment as a coach and a fan. Yeah, well, it's just like when you see it, it's that poise is a skill. And again, you're not trying to be the hero out there. You're trying to create energy. You're trying to create plays on the boards. We talked about this, how you play. And I'm bringing this up too for the listeners because those pieces of a team are essential. I know coaches just go, give me the twenty two best players. And it is never really a good recipe most of the time. Right. You have to have players that can do what Hayley does. And you understand that role. You've built yourself into that role. um look let's be honest about it as a thirteenth forward that's why you make the team yeah right because there's talent out there I mean and there's a lot of talent out there right so again I don't know if there's a question in there I actually I'll say no I appreciate that because it's like I've been working on like being more patient with the puck and stuff so you saying that like means a lot uh because it's something I have been working on to not like throw the puck away or feel like I can't have it on my stick or have to give it to someone else. It's like, I've really been focusing on like, I can manage the puck. I can have a little more poise and then like dish to a player later. Like it opens up more space. So. You're so cognitive out there too. Again, I know I'm gushing a little bit folks, but like you, your ability to search out the areas of the ice you're supposed to be in and return to those areas is really a masterclass. I wish more players would watch. Right. And Mike, we talked about this on an episode one time about how a lot of coaches go, go a hundred percent all the time, a hundred percent all the time. And kids usually take that as, I got to skate full speed the entire shift. No, it's, it's what Hayley's doing, right? It's your mind is on a hundred percent. You're reading the play. You're reacting to the play. I actually, I watched you do this against the sirens the other night too. Right. So bravo to you. And again, I'll set Christie up here. Right. It almost Christie seems like, you know, she knew this was going to happen. Right. Almost like that type of play was going to be there. We got to get into this because I love this topic. And, and Hayley, I know you're, you're a big believer of this, the power of manifestation. And I always tell my kids this too, you put it out to the universe, put it out to the universe, whatever it is that you're thinking, feeling, and you want to happen. So going into these games, what were the words that you put out to the universe to help manifest? I'm going to say you manifested that gold medal that you're wearing. Okay, let's see it. You have to describe that for it. So for those of you listening at home, this is awesome. Yeah, this is my whiteboard. It says, I am a gold medalist. Nick actually wrote it. And then I would write over it every morning. And it's like in our apartment. So it's like, I see it every morning. And then there was also coffee is ready. Like he'll write other little notes on it. But yeah, so yeah. I wrote that everywhere, like in journals, on the whiteboard. We have another whiteboard somewhere else. Like it's yeah, it was something that I kind of would always say to myself in my head as well. Anytime I was maybe feeling any other type of way. So yeah, very into manifesting for sure. So it was funny that you mentioned that. Hayley, so we have a teenager listening to this or a young lady or a boy that's sitting there and going, oh, well, that's great and all, but what's the alternative, right? What's the alternative? If you don't do that, what creeps in? What happens if you don't put that out there and make yourself believe that? Yeah. what like in terms of negative right mike is like what like like what what are you letting in like if you don't if you don't deliberately if you don't deliberately and you're saying like like it's easy to even have somebody tell you hell you're a gold medalist you're like it's easy for somebody to say that to you but you're but by you writing it down and and and and putting it in a journal and reminding yourself in different areas of the house You know, I think it's just one of those things where you're the one driving the the images in your head and the thoughts that are coming in. And it has to at your level or anybody's level, right, be able to then let the other stuff not creep in. Yes, I think for sure I helped in terms of the whole tournament. Like I was getting ahead of myself at times because I started visualizing us winning the gold and I was like, okay, we're not at that game yet. Hold on. But I think it did actually help me in terms of keeping a positive mindset the whole tournament. I think that's why we also stayed so positive throughout that whole game when we're down one, nothing. I think, yeah. Obviously, parts of me knew that we were going to win that game some way, somehow. And yeah, I mean, the whole tournament just kind of felt like that. So I just feel like it was a big manifestation for sure. And it definitely helped me stay positive. And let's say this too. I want to make sure the audience understands. Real quick, Christie, sorry, is that it doesn't say I am going to be a gold medalist. It says I am a gold medalist. And I think when you're talking about the power of manifestation, it's actually very important for the audience to understand this. And for everybody listening, this is not limited to ice hockey or winning a gold medal. This can be a power that you have in your life, right? And I will say, yes, the first time you say I am, It is a very awkward, weird feeling because it hasn't happened yet. But I won't go into the quantum physics of all of it for you. When you say I am this, you will become that. All right. And again, Hayley's been writing this months, correct? Like if not longer. Yeah, I think over a year. Over a year. And it happened. All right. And I just think that for those who listen, especially the kids listening, you're allowed to do this. All right. And I am sure that there are warnings that come from people of, oh, don't jinx it. Oh, don't do this. Oh, no. That's for them. All right. That's not what it was for you. And you have some control over it. As you say, you can't be can't be living it when you're in the middle of you to be present. Does Nick run to the house? If you lose a gold medal, does he run to the house and erase all the boards real quick? No, I know. There was never a doubt. I've been talking for those, you know, Nick, Nick is his boyfriend. Listen, I have spoken to this man for months. There was never a moment where he was, he would say to me, it's already happened. Yeah. Like, you know what I mean? This is the power of this. Now we know this has happened. It's happened like in the past tense. So no, there's no way there's no doubt in his mind. Go ahead, Christie. Oh, OK. Well, I wanted to kind of dive into another area about the impact of the Olympics on women's hockey, because I mean, I'm feeling it. I know, Hayley, you feel it. It just seems that women's hockey is now entering this new era of unprecedented, unprecedented momentum. Now tell us about that. And, you know, we saw the most watched women's hockey game ever. You smashed all kinds of viewing records. This is our golden moment. Don't you feel that? Yes, I definitely feel it. I mean, the amount of messages I've received, the amount of things I've seen from different like celebrities and brands and just like showing their support for us, saying how much they loved watching us play, how much we inspired them. Messages from, you know, parents of young girls and young boys and who are going to get into hockey. And just it's just been absolutely incredible. And. I definitely think it's, I mean, it's just the start. We're barely scratching the surface. I think we were saying that earlier. Like I, I just know women's hockey is going to continue growing exponentially after this. I bet you you're filling more seats in the stands, too. But for those who aren't familiar with the statistics, the twenty twenty six gold medal game between U.S. and Canada was the most watched women's hockey game on record, averaging five point three million viewers, peaking at seven point seven in the U.S. That's incredible. That's incredible. And nobody watches women's sports. Yeah. And I heard this from people who were watching women's hockey for the very first time. I didn't realize how fast it was. I didn't realize how physical it was. They didn't realize how exciting it was. And you're on that world stage. You got everybody and you didn't disappoint. Yeah, and I think, I mean, that's what we hear the most, like, when people come to watch women's hockey for the first time, they get hooked every time. Like, they're always so impressed by the speed and the physicality, like you were saying, and so there's no surprise, like, now that we have a league for people to come watch us, like, the ticket sales are surging, searches about the league are, like, did I say searching? Surging. Surging. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, like everything has been growing. And I think it's also just so great that we now have this league to play in where everyone can come see us, but they can also see the other amazing players who maybe weren't at the Olympics that easily could have probably been on a team, right? Like everyone's so talented. So I'm just happy it's shining a light on that for sure. And Hayley, I want to let you know. Sorry, my guy. I want to tell Hayley this because I know Hayley well enough to know she doesn't know what I'm about to say. So, Hayley, we talk about every time you take the ice, you're trailblazing. All right. I don't know if you realize this. This is only in twenty twenty six, by the way. All right. You were part of the most attended U.S. game in history up until last night, actually, because this I know that record damn Seattle. But listen to this, okay? This year alone, you have taken part in, we'll say, the second most or one of the most watched games in person in history and also the most watched women's game in history of the world. There are very few people now on this list. All right. And when I think about you as Hayley Skimora, I'm thinking here, like, I know you, I know what you're driving to do. I don't, I just don't think you've taken a moment to realize what you have been part of this year in terms of women's hockey growing. I want to say it again. You're one of like six people right now that have played in both of those situations. Okay. Yeah. That's unbelievable trailblazing. All right. And I just want you to know that because again, I know you're humble. I know it's not about individual accomplishments for you, but you are at the forefront of of a massive change time period. And there have been thousands of women prior to you that have helped push to this moment. But it's like, I don't, I, can you even sense the gravity of this? I mean, I know you say like, I'm starting to, but it's like, it's like, I'm feeling it. I was joking. Are you listening? I did it. We did a free girls play hockey clinic today. And I told Hayley, like, there was only like, twenty people signed up for it until this gold medal game and it surged to like, fifty-five plus people with more interest coming in. Like, it's immediate impact. Again, there's no question to what I'm saying today. I'm going all over the place. I just, I wanted you to know that, that you were part of that and that you're trailblazing and that, like, I know you're probably recognizing some of this stuff is happening, but the reverberations of this tournament are going to be felt for generations. Thanks. Yeah, that's pretty incredible to hear. And just knowing like we're all a part of history in that sense is, yeah, there's no words. Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm just like, you know, I think I think what, you know, really, as you as you discuss this like growth. And we all know, like any Olympic year and for hockey in general, I mean, for the men's and women's hockey team to do this well, hockey is is really in front of everyone right now. And I think, you know, where the women's game is and what the professional game is doing, it certainly is now elevated and it's elevating quickly. And do you feel from a professional athlete point of view, I mean, do you feel the pressure of that? I mean, do you feel like, okay, well, well now all of a sudden, like people are watching us more and it is like, we've got, we probably have, I mean, it's at least numbers. I mean, you just had five million new people watch something that they maybe never had watched before. And now that I don't know, I would take it as it's a good pressure for an athlete in the league. But what does that feel like from your perspective? And is the messaging being given to you as a professional athlete by by agents and promoters and league officials? Has that changed or is that is that evolving in any way now? I would say no pressure. I feel more excited than anything that people are coming to see what we're all about. Definitely more opportunities in terms of like interviews and endorsements potentially and like brands and all of that stuff. Just cause like, obviously we're the topic of conversation and it's like a hot thing right now. And I'm obviously hoping to continue to stay in the eyes of everyone watching and things like that. But yeah, Yeah, so no pressure, I would say. I think just pure excitement and joy. Yeah. So, so no. Okay. So if there's no pressure, what are, what do you think then are the, the new challenges then in this, in this, in this like landscape, like now, cause there are now, cause really like that you just talked about in the last couple of days, right? I mean, all of a sudden you went from saying, I've got a normal schedule and I can handle this to, to, to all of a sudden I'm like getting calls at all hours and people wanting my time and, and people wanted to reach out to hear about all and all your athletes. Right. I mean, I feel bad. You're coming on today, Hayley. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, all these all these people annoying you for screen time. And, you know, just, you know, so I'm just thinking like, what now because of that, it's like you said, maybe don't feel pressure. But there definitely is a new challenge now for the women's sport to capture this moment and do something with it. Yeah, I mean, I think in that sense, it's probably just like the time and the energy it does take being on a larger scale in terms of media appearances and people kind of pulling you in different directions, messaging you, asking you for certain things that you're like, I don't even know you. We've never met before. So it's like setting those boundaries, I think, is huge because I think people... a lot of people think they can just access us because we're women and we should just be grateful we're in this position. It's like, no, I'm a professional athlete. I cannot come to your city in the middle of my season. You know what I mean? I can't go to your daughter's birthday party next weekend. I'm sorry. Quite literally, the things you get asked is wild. And I think we're so used to being like, yes, of course, I'll be there right away. The people-pleasing thing, the, oh, we've got to be great role models and we've got to be there for all these moments. It's like, we can't. Like now... we have more, more eyes on us, more responsibilities, more things to do. And it's like, we just don't have that kind of time. And like, you're not asking NHL players to do these things in the middle of their season. Right. So it's like remembering that that's the stage we're on now and to be able to set those boundaries and is super important. I just tell them you can talk to your Canadian and Swedish teammates. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. You can cut that out. Toronto is our second biggest audience. I'm just joking. Relax. Everybody relax. I think he would agree that women's hockey is in a much better place. And then you'll look at the up-and-coming talent. I mean, wow. Talk about Abby Murphy. I mean, how exciting is it to see these young women with such incredible... We've had several of them on the show. they're so fun to watch. They're so creative. They're so like just free and fun out there. Like, uh, you can't take your eyes off of them. I mean, Caroline Harvey, Layla Edwards, Abby Murphy tested. I, I, the list goes on and on. And yeah, Hayley Wynn. Yes, of course. Like, they're just so fun to watch. They're so dynamic. Um, And they keep the energy light and fun, to be honest. Like, if it were all just veteran experience players, we wouldn't be having as much fun as we were. So, yeah, they kept things light and, yeah, just always fun to watch. I'll tell you, Hayley, I hope we can have Hayley Wynn back on, you know, in the offseason, right? Because what I remember is I was actually watching some of that episode recently because we were putting the other clip to congratulate you. And it's funny how kind of almost innocent she seems at that point. Like, I made the Olympic team. Yeah, like it wasn't real yet. Right, right. Now she's a gold medalist. Same thing with Hayazi and everybody else. One of the things I want to say to you too, we were talking a little bit about the new challenges that this presents. And I wanted to say this too. When you won, as someone who coaches in girls and women's hockey, I hope the coach is listening to hear this. What was cool was, was that I somewhat, I'm trying to find the right words here. I felt a responsibility as a coach and an ambassador of the game almost immediately of I have to help cultivate the new people that are about to come into our game. And I'm excited about that too. But you had mentioned about how people are asking you for things. We should not be asking the Olympian professional athlete for things. You have a responsibility now as a hockey person, for those of you listening, to cultivate all of the new players coming in, girls and boys. And again, we won't know this for a while. We saw what the nineteen eighty gold medal did for hockey in the United States. OK, the nineteen ninety eight, the two thousand eighteen and the two thousand twenty six gold medals are doing this for the game as well. There is about to be a massive, massive influx of people into this game. And if you are involved in this game in any way, we share, from Hayley to Mike to Christie to me, we share a responsibility now to cultivate what the best thing is about hockey. And Hayley, I'm sharing that with you because I don't know if I even thought about that Like prior to the, to the goal, the goal going in the net. And it's like, and again, I felt it today at this clinic of like, we have so much, there's a girl there in the USA Jersey today. And it's just like, you know, I'm sitting there telling her like, I, I, I, I'm speaking to one of them today, you know? So I just want to. it's again, I'm not doing any good on the questions today, but just it's a statement today to everybody. Like, like we're about to receive a gift as in hockey here and that, that probably hundreds of thousands of people over the next few years are going to dive into this game. And we owe it to them to not be the crazy hockey parents and to not let some of these crazy things go and, and to, to escort them into the greatest game in the world. Right. So, Hey, I'm going to actually say thank you for that opportunity. Right. Cause all of you provided us with that opportunity. Right. And then all of us, let's get to work on this. Right. Let's get to work on this and do a good job for all these players. Right. Right. And Hayley, I hope that we can grow girls hockey really. Cause you know, my daughter played girls hockey. We're in central New York. You're in Western New York. I'm sure you had a very similar experience to her. You want to play girls hockey. There are so few teams. There's a lot of traveling. I mean, we had some girls who were all the way in Ithaca coming up to Syracuse every night just to be on a girls team. It's really a struggle because we're so limited and the resources were so tight for girls hockey. Hopefully, this can start creating more girls teams, more opportunities, more competition, and less stress on our girls who want to play. That's what my heart wants. I know it was. I'm sure you went through the same thing. Yep. You know, I'm going to ask this final question, Hayley. It's again, thank you for being so gracious with your time today. You've won a silver medal in the Olympics. You've won a gold medal in the Olympics. I know everyone is asking you about how it feels and all these things. I want to ask it a little differently when you hold that in your hand and I'm sure you, you are right. What does that represent? Right? Like, again, the feeling of elations, of course, right? You've been talking about this your whole life since you were a little girl. What does this represent for you right now in this moment? it just represents like my like life, like everything I've done to get to this point, like playing hockey on my backyard rink with my brothers and my dad and, you know, how much time I dedicated to hockey. I missed so many things growing up, like in high school and middle school, like social events. Like I remember feeling maybe like lonely at times or not, you know, connected with people. And then obviously as you get up the rink, she kind of, build more of those friendships and things like that and um it was all definitely worth it for this gold medal absolutely i would do it all over again and um yeah i just think of all the things my parents have done for me all the things my brothers have done for me my teammates uh everything that has led to this moment and uh yeah all worth it i'm getting like my hair my back and neck standing up yeah I just kept thinking about your parents in that phone call, that first phone call that you had, that first conversation you had with them as a gold medalist. Oh my gosh, I'm going to start crying just thinking about it. Again, I think I'm speaking for a whole audience here when I say to you and all of Team USA, thank you. Thank you for that moment. Thank you for being you. Thank you for all the time you give. And, you know, again, look, you're a professional hockey player. You're a gold medalist, Olympic hockey player. You're also just a great person and great ambassador for the game. And I do think that in the five hundred plus episodes that we've done, we have uncovered that that's a pretty big key to being successful is is the character that you hold. And we're just so humbled that you're on here with us. You're part of our team and that we got to be, you know, you answered our text when we texted you. So we appreciate it. Always, always. Gang, anything else before I close this out? Hail to Hayley. Thank you guys. It was great to chat about it. It's fun to relive it. No, we're going to keep going. No, no, no. I'm just going to say congratulations and hopefully, you know, you'll get some much needed rest after you get through your, the rest of your professional season this year. Absolutely. Well, I'm going to say this again. We're going to let Hayley get some much needed time off to kind of rest and recoup, but she's going to come back for more. Our girls play hockey. We are planning to do again, kids. We're going to ask you for any questions that you might have, because we want you to be able to have a voice with Hayley here about, uh, her Olympic win in her career. And we will keep reliving this Hayley, as long as we can. I just want you to feel this feeling for as long as humanly possible. Thanks. No problem. That's going to do it for this edition of our kids play hockey and our girls play hockey, the crossover event of the decade. Nobody says that but me. Remember if you have any questions or you have an episode idea, team at our kids play hockey.com or use the link accompanying the episode in the description before Hayley Skimora, Mike Benelli and Krista Casher Burns. I'm Lee Elias. You've enjoyed this gold medal edition. of Our Kids Play Hockey. Take care, everybody.