Our Girls Play Hockey - NCAA and World Champion Caroline Harvey on Playing With the Boys and Dominating With the Girls

Lee MJ Elias [0:08 - 1:00]: Hello, hockey friends and families around the world, and welcome to another episode of our Girls Play Hockey. I'm Lee Elias, joined by Sherry Hudspeth and Mike Benelli. Our guest today has had an incredible year, really an incredible few months. She's not only a recent NCAA champion with the Wisconsin Badgers, but also a world champion with Team usa. Caroline Harvey has been a standout defenseman, playing a pivotal role in both Wisconsin's national championship victory and Team USA's gold medal run at the Women's World Championships in Chechen. Her performances on the ice have earned her numerous accolades in both collegiate and international hockey, including being named the best defenseman at the 2025 double IHF World World's Champion. Excuse me, Women's World Championship. I don't know why I said that wrong. She's a national champion, multi time gold medalist. Our guest today is truly exceptional. Please join us in welcoming Caroline to the show. Caroline, welcome to our Girls Play Hockey. 

Caroline Harvey [1:00 - 1:02]: Thank you. Thank you for having me. 

Sheri Hudspeth [1:04 - 1:19]: Thanks for being here. Caroline, we're so excited that you're on the show. Congratulations. Firstly, we're going to take it back a little bit with the first congratulations is on your NCAA championship. So can you talk a little bit about winning a national championship and what that means to you and what it means to the Wisconsin program? 

Caroline Harvey [1:20 - 1:45]: Yeah, I mean, cliche, it means everything because we've been on both sides of it. We were fortunate like our freshman year to be winning that and then last year we lost. And it's always been us in Ohio State, so it's always dueling with them till the end. And it's such a surreal thing. It's only one team that stands at the end and it's a hard thing to do. So for our team to win in the dramatic fashion we did this year too, it was really just the Terry on top. 

Mike Bonelli [1:46 - 2:15]: No, it's awesome. I mean, you're, I mean, I think anybody in the college hockey world obviously knows, you know, Wisconsin and knows, you know, the history of, you know, all these top tier programs. I guess what I'd like to know is, and you could, you could pump the tires of Wisconsin right now. That's your chance to, to help that recruiting staff. But you know, what, what, what helped make your decision to go to Wisconsin. And I think, you know, from the time you've been there now, you know, how has your time there shaped your own personal development as a player? 

Caroline Harvey [2:16 - 3:07]: Yeah, I mean, just since the first day, like I stepped on campus and just in general when I went to visit during my recruitment process. They've always just been so welcoming. The coaching staff, the people of Madison. The city is amazing. It's a city vibe, but also it's very small. The academics are unbelievable. The facilities are second to none. It's just top to bottom. It's. They have everything covered in all facets. For myself, though, it's. I feel like I went in there, I was not knowing what to expect. I definitely was still not an adult. I had a lot to learn, so I was just a sponge, especially in my first year. I still am always learning, but I've really just. I feel like I've matured and taken it further in that way as a person and player. They. They challenge you. They force you to, you know, get out of your comfort zone. And that has been part of my process. And I really am grateful for coaches and how they helped in that way. 

Lee MJ Elias [3:07 - 3:59]: You know, I want to pull a thread on that before we. We dive into the World Championships. Very, very kind of cool. We have a guest with two championship stories on separate teams in the same time period. But in your journey to. To college hockey, you know, I know we have a lot of young. Young ladies and parents that listen to this show that aspire to play at that level. So I'm wondering if you could take us even further back to, you know, when did you realize that collegiate hockey was a possibility? And then, you know, I. I remember playing in college. Just the excitement leading up to college hockey, you know, especially those last few years of high school or. Or, you know, today, it's. It's. It's beyond high school for some kids also. But tell us about that time where you kind of harnessed yourself into, okay, I'm going to become a college player. And then again, we will. We will morph that into Team USA in a minute. 

Caroline Harvey [4:01 - 5:16]: Yeah, I always. I had the goal. I mean, I think as far as I can remember, maybe like, around six or seventh grade, my dad started bringing it to my attention. He was talking about college athletics, and he'd be like, oh, like, is that what you want to do? And I was like, yes. Like, I would watch, like, the hockey teams, especially being in the area, and I was like, that's something I want to do. I want to pursue that. That's my goal. I want to play especially, like, Division one. I want. I was like, I want to be there. And at the time, I didn't know I was still playing boys, and I didn't really know how I stacked up or, like, what it looked like. The recruitment process. And I just remember when I made the jump to girls hockey, went to prep school my first year, it was really helpful. I went to Slacks Academy, and they helped educate us on the recruitment process. And there's like, obviously coaches that would come to a lot of our tournaments, which was awesome. And they would talk directly through our coaches who would talk to us, which was great because they could, like, mentor us and, you know, walk us through all that process. So it was great that I was glad I made the switch and was able to understand it more and, like, be able to do what I did, like, with the coaches I had there in place. And it. Yeah. As far as I can remember, I think I was in, like, sixth or seventh grade when my dad started bringing it to my attention. I was like, I want to do that. I want to go to these schools. And I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity that I did. 

Lee MJ Elias [5:16 - 5:17]: So follow up to that. 

Mike Bonelli [5:17 - 5:18]: Is. 

Lee MJ Elias [5:18 - 6:05]: Is. And that's a. I love that. Right. Today, as we're recording this, you're a hockey player. I mean, you're much more than a hockey player, but we know you as a hockey player, international gold medalist, best defenseman, so on and so on. Like, that's how when we say your name, we look you up on the Internet. That's what's going to pop up. We had a. A great conversation on a previous episode about the. Not sacrifices you have to make as a teenager, but the choice that you make to pursue this. Right. I think a lot of times we talk about we have to sacrifice so much. Not. It's a choice. Right. Because you want to do this, especially for the young kids listening. Can you talk about some of those choices that you made to kind of prioritize hockey over other things with the understanding that if. If listeners don't want to do that, that's also okay. Right? There's no right or wrong here. This is a choice that you make. 

Caroline Harvey [6:06 - 6:56]: Yeah. I mean, there. There just has to be a, like, a drive to want to do it. Like you said, there's no right or wrong path. Either is great. It's. It's just gotta come from within yourself, what your goals are. I mean, I feel like from a young age, like, personally, I knew. I was like, I wanna. I was very driven. I've been driven, and I'm like, I wanna do this. So it's gotta come from within yourself. And then, I mean, your parents can do so much saying, oh, there's this opportunity which is great, like, present you with opportunities, but it just has to be something that you're like, I want that to be my end goal. I wanna be there. So, yeah, it's just. It's a commitment, I would say, to, like, every day, you know, whether that's shooting extra pucks, an extra workout, speed work, like, whatever it may look like, or be sitting on the ice extra five, ten minutes. It's just doing those little, little things every day that add up over time that make you a better player. 

Lee MJ Elias [6:57 - 8:02]: I love it. And now I am going to transition into Team USA gold medalist. First off again, right? Congratulations. We're recording this. It's only been a few weeks, right? So one of the cool things about our girls play hockey is, is we've been very privileged to have to have Olympians on, World Champions on. But they're speaking from a perspective of, you know, the past. Right. You're in it now. You just played at a world championship. There were 51ambassadors, female ambassadors from other countries at the game. There's obviously a huge crowd. It was broadcasted everywhere. Everyone I know was watching that gold medal game and several of the other games. Sherry was actually there. Right. Like, the nature of this is becoming as massive as it probably should have been. Have you had time to reflect on that championship? Can you even begin to tell us what that experience felt like, what it meant to both represent your country, to be with your teammates, to understand that so many other emerging countries for women's hockey were there? Can you even sum that up for us right now? 

Mike Bonelli [8:02 - 8:04]: Well, and beating Canada. Let's get that in. 

Lee MJ Elias [8:04 - 8:07]: And we beat Canada. I was trying to be nice, Mike. 

Sheri Hudspeth [8:07 - 8:07]: Yeah. 

Lee MJ Elias [8:07 - 8:10]: To someone on the phone here, but yes. And we beat Canada. 

Caroline Harvey [8:11 - 8:50]: I mean, just hearing all that, I get chills. It's just how far the game has come and continues to grow, especially just women's athletics in general, but women's hockey especially, hearing that, it's just like, wow. Like, everyone. Like, the people who are tuned in and really committed to watching, and. You know what I mean? It's like, all eyes are on us. Canada, game in the final. Like, that's. That's just awesome. And I. I hope to be a part of this for a long time. Just growing the game and giving back, because I want these little girls to have opportunities that. I mean, I feel fortunate for the ones I have already, but, like, that could be even more so down the road. You know what I mean? So that's amazing just to hear that. And you say that. It gave me instant chills to be a part of that. 

Lee MJ Elias [8:50 - 9:38]: Well, and Sherry I'm just going to add one more thing on that. I will shut up. I want you to know, Caroline, like just to give you, because this is something you can't see on the ice is my 11 year old son and my 8 year old daughter watching this and cheering. Obviously when we won, you won. I wasn't playing. But you know, I remember hearing my daughter really going nuts and my son too, don't get me wrong. But it's, this is now her reality. This is now her reality forever. Right? You didn't have that. Sherry didn't have that. It's all, it's always an evolving process. Right. You had mentors of your time. But it's cool to see both my kids celebrating a Team USA rivalry. And let's, let's be honest, the USA Canada Women's hockey rivalry, in my opinion probably is the biggest rivalry in sports historically now for the longest time. 

Mike Bonelli [9:38 - 9:38]: Right. 

Lee MJ Elias [9:38 - 9:52]: I don't think there's any two teams that have gone head to head like this in any other sport. So there's that aspect of it too. But I want to tell you, you know, you know there are, I would physically watch them watching your team win and cheering. It's, it's an amazing thing to see. 

Caroline Harvey [9:52 - 10:10]: That's, that's so cool. Especially you saying like your son too is into it. I just remember going to like a PWHL game for the first time ever and seeing little boys like supporting and be like, oh my God, like going crazy for the girls. I just feel like growing up that was never really a thing. Like little boys looking up to pro women's sports. Right. Which is like the coolest thing. 

Lee MJ Elias [10:10 - 10:15]: Now it's becoming the norm and I'm sure you're going to see a lot more PWHL games soon. Just saying. 

Mike Bonelli [10:15 - 11:12]: Yeah, I know we have a lot of questions about, you know, kind of, you know, your, as you, as you evolve into other roles, you know, in the game. And I just, just, just from the Olympic point of view, I mean watching the last series of events, it seems to me in a good way that, that the gap between the competing countries is getting smaller and smaller. Where those scores, 18 to 1, you know, 15 to nothing. I mean, can you just talk a little bit about like your, you know, what it's like in the USA hockey sphere of listen, these are now, these are like, you can't just wait for Canada anymore. Like these are very competitive games against every single nation that we're playing in the, at these high level tournaments now where, you know, good. I Think it's a good thing. I think it's a great thing for women's hockey that these scores are not complete blowouts and that they are competitive. But can you talk a little bit about, you know, what that is from the USA hockey perspective and you know, how that thing is is brought to you guys as players? 

Caroline Harvey [11:13 - 12:07]: Yeah, that's a good point. I mean, it shows kind of in our semifinal against Czech, it was one goal apart. Like, it's becoming very. Like you said, the gap's closing. It's becoming very much so more competitive. And from our perspective, it's love it. Love to see the game growing and just becoming more competitive from all countries. And the development process that's going on, it's. It's awesome. I mean, that's how it should be, and it'll continue to look in the future, and there'll be more parity as we move forward. And, I mean, I'm. I'm so excited to see that. And I. So. So much recognition and appreciation for, like, the hard work that these countries are putting in and the development that's going on. It's. It's coming a long way. And the Finlands, the Czechs, the Switzerlands, like, all the teams in general. The Germany's, too. Like, I don't know. I. It was only three nothing against Germany. And that's. It's just like. It's such a long way compared to, like, you said years ago, like, what it would be. 

Lee MJ Elias [12:07 - 12:15]: Well, I'm gonna say before I sher. Throw it to you here. I was getting texts from Sherry in the semifinal saying, this close. This is pretty close. 

Caroline Harvey [12:16 - 12:16]: Scary. 

Sheri Hudspeth [12:17 - 13:26]: It was rocking, though. Like, when Chuck was playing, like, the vibe in the arena, the Euro hockey is incredible. Like, they clap and dance and have flags, and it was men, it was women, it was boys and girls. Like, when Czechia lost, I was coming into the US Game, and there was, like, men literally crying in the street, like, they are so passionate about their hockey. And, like, kids. We had boys and girls, you know, wearing their country jersey, and it was so loud. Like, I don't know how you guys hurt each other. I don't know how the refs and coaches hurt each other. It was. It was rocking in there, and I love to see that. That was. I was there with ihf and that was my first international tournament. I didn't get to play internationally, but just to see the experience that you guys get to have off the ice and seeing these cities and, like, the history of some of these cities that you get to go to. It's not just about hockey. It's like you get to go experience the world. So just kind of wondering outside of the hockey, was there anywhere cool that you went that you use? Like anything you saw there that you liked in Czechia and just talk about the travel that you get to do and some of the sites that you get to see outside of hockey. 

Caroline Harvey [13:26 - 14:08]: Yeah, it really is an unbelievable experience. It's more than hockey. There is a lot, a lot of time we do have actually downtime to go into different cities and explore. Like, we had our pre camp in Prague, which was a couple hours, which was like north of where we were for the tournament, and we were able to see Prague for a couple days. And when we had pre camp, just explore with each other different, like little cute places. And the streets were so historic and the buildings were beautiful. So having that experience outside of hockey and getting to travel the world is something I'm so grateful for and having experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise. Like, I wouldn't be there. You know what I mean? Just going, let's go to Prague. You know, it was cool to have that with my teammates and close friends. 

Sheri Hudspeth [14:08 - 14:54]: So you know what? I don't think people realize, and I certainly didn't realize with the Canada US Rivalry with it being. It's so heated already, but everyone flew out of Prague that morning. So US was there with the trophy in the airport and Canada's there checking in, and they're both in the airport at the same gates and everything. And it's. That has to fuel you is just sitting there, like watching them celebrate or sit at the bar. And it's. The other team's just sitting there, right. And it goes back and forth where you guys both have had to do it. But I didn't realize that, you know, obviously they don't fly charters. They fly normal, like Delta Airlines. So it's like that has to fuel you. If you're sitting there looking at that and going to get you next championship, we're going to get you in the Olympics. Like, you're not going to forget sitting there and what that feels like. 

Caroline Harvey [14:54 - 15:15]: Exactly. I remember last year when we lost in Utica, we were like, our hotel is kind of stationed in a little like, casino, like the area we're in. And I mean, we're all just like hanging out after the game. And I remember they're just sitting there and it was like the trophy, like you said. And it's just so motivating because you're like, oh, that Game ended a couple hours ago. I wish I ended differently. But next year, next time, we're going to get you. 

Sheri Hudspeth [15:15 - 15:22]: Yeah, the trophy. They're like, it's going right to Denver. It's going right to the USA Hockey office. And they're parading it through. And it's like, this is crazy. 

Lee MJ Elias [15:22 - 16:08]: It's a 30 year old rivalry. I mean, like, like this is something we don't. That's why I said what I said before. This is a 30 year battle with a rare exception. Right? It's gone on 30 years. I mean, again, I started with Wickenheiser versus Granado. I mean, we were in the Hall, Hockey hall of Fame. Now, right, like this, this is how long this robber has been going. So, Caroline, I love that you get to be a part of it. And I'm just going to say, because Sherry keeps going back between we and us and me and different countries. Thank you for winning this for the usa. I'll say it on here. We can have a health revival on the show, too. Sherry, I mean, I know, you know, I didn't want to say without your permission. We need to give a little round of applause to Sherry Husband, who got her citizenship. Next week, another big championship. I won't ask you to say go Team USA Just yet. 

Sheri Hudspeth [16:08 - 16:10]: Sherry, you say hockeys do or die. 

Lee MJ Elias [16:11 - 16:13]: Isn't that from the Mighty Ducks? Come on. 

Sheri Hudspeth [16:13 - 16:14]: No, it's from the chant. 

Lee MJ Elias [16:14 - 16:18]: I'm dumb. Go ahead, Sherry. 

Sheri Hudspeth [16:18 - 16:22]: Any you guys. Mike, any questions about Worlds Team usa? 

Mike Bonelli [16:22 - 16:56]: No, I mean, just the, like, you could tell that your experience, obviously you win, right? So your experience is a lot better. But I think just your, you could tell by just the way you're speaking about it if you're watching this on, you know, any of our various channels. I mean, if you're. And you. And you can see Carolyn's face, you could tell, you know, just the, you know, the pride and, and the, you know, just knowing that that was a huge accomplishment. And I think the more you guys are in these international competitions and have an opportunity to be in airports, in gloat, I would, I would definitely do as much as you can there. 

Sheri Hudspeth [16:58 - 17:50]: Okay, we'll move on. So we have. I'm really excited you're coming here May 17th with Layla Edwards. We're in year three of the Bauer Empowered program. For those that don't know, it's an exclusive program. The Vegas Golden Knights run with Bauer. And thank you to Mary Kate Messier and Bauer. And ambassadors come from Bauer. So we have yourself and Layla Edwards coming out on May 17th. And what they're doing is an equipment fitting. So we have girls ages 5 to 12, we have 30 girls, and their very first touch point in hockey is all brand new Bauer equipment. And they meet an Olympian on their very, very first day of hockey. So can you talk about, you know, the impact that that's going to have on these young girls that are five and six years old that get to meet you on that day and also what it means to you to help smaller markets like Nevada and grow hockey here through Bauer. 

Caroline Harvey [17:50 - 18:07]: Yeah, I'm super excited and thanks for having me back this year. Me and Layla are fired up and last year was just an incredible experience. We were able to, yeah, fit the girls, meet the. There's some little. Little munchkins and there's also some older girls and. And little boys, too. And it was. Or just little girls, right? 

Sheri Hudspeth [18:07 - 18:08]: Just girls. 

Mike Bonelli [18:08 - 18:08]: Yeah. 

Caroline Harvey [18:08 - 18:44]: But they had their brothers along with them. That was cool to meet them. But, yeah, it was such a touching, like a touching thing to do. And it warmed our hearts. I mean, seeing their faces light up and getting their new equipment, it was just like. It was the sweetest thing to do. And you know what I mean? We hope to make such an impact and like you said, going to a smaller market and doing so, we hope to grow the game and inspire these young girls to want to keep playing hockey. And maybe one day they want to play college or they want to play in the Olympics or for a national team. So we hope to be the start of that with fitting them for the right equipment and getting their journey started. 

Sheri Hudspeth [18:44 - 19:08]: Hoping it catches on too, because we have NHL learn to play across the board and they have, I think, first shift in Canada. Right. So it's. That program is with NHL alumni. So you have a male alumni on the ice. This is with female ambassadors all the time. So hopefully that catches on and we get more girls learn to play with only female ambassadors. Just, you know, girls only ecosystem. So it's contributing that and I'm hoping it catches on. 

Lee MJ Elias [19:09 - 19:11]: Yeah, I think you're doing a great job with that. 

Mike Bonelli [19:11 - 20:32]: Yeah. And it's awesome. And I think sher to your point too, like, you know, just having that, having the ability to have women working with girls, it's just really important. It's the same thing at any sport in any level or any profession. Right. It's just having people that can, you know the old. The old saying that if you could see it, you could be it. It's just really so impactful in sport because we've had so many people on this show in particular that, you know, they're like, well, my parents didn't even know girls could play sports. Like, and that was, that was not that long ago. I mean, this is, you're not talking about, you know, a century ago. You're talking about 10 years ago or 12 years ago. So I think, you know, you know, I know, I know you're from New Hampshire, right, Carolyn, you're not, it's not, you know, I wouldn't say no disparaging New Hampshire. I coached up at Plymouth State for a long time. I know the area. It's not a hockey hotbed for, you know, when you look at the overall scheme of hockey, but it is growing. And I think, you know, knowing what you did as a player and you talked a little bit about, you know, for a long time you played with boys, right. So it wasn't just an all girls team when you were 6 or 7 years old. Can you just talk about, you know, with the players that, you know today, you know, the landscape today, you're young enough to just be out of it just a little bit, you know, what advice would you give to those, you know, 12, 13, 16 year old girls that you would have loved to have when you were, you know, in, in that, in that before you went off to prep school in college? 

Caroline Harvey [20:34 - 20:38]: Yeah, like, are you talking about just their journey or. 

Mike Bonelli [20:39 - 20:54]: Yeah, just your overall, overall, your overall reflection on like things that, you know, maybe you thought weren't, were important or weren't important. You, you know, that people worried about, that maybe they shouldn't worry about. And, you know, how did those steps impact you so that you could get where you are now? 

Caroline Harvey [20:57 - 22:19]: I think it was just a learning process. I mean, now what's amazing to see is the girls teams that are, the youth teams that are being implemented where girls have a chance to play, they don't have to just play boys and they have a great opportunity to play on girls and develop the same and have those same opportunities playing with their, like, you know what I mean? Not having to play on a boys squad, I think that's changed a lot in my perspective. And I think what's important is just the mindset that I touched on earlier. It's. It has to be a commitment every day. If you have long term goals of wanting to be on a national team or play collegiate or whatever it may be, I think it's just day in and day out being committed and because you want to, you have that drive, it's not something that you're forcing yourself to do, it has to come from within and something that you desire. It's. I would say that's the biggest thing that stuck with me after reflecting back into this day, like, what I've realized is important. And I. I am fortunate, though. I played boys hockey. I mean, I. I think it's amazing that there are girls opportunities now where the teams are competitive and they're, They're. They're very skilled and you can play with them. But I. I think if you can play boys, too, it's. It's not bad if you want to play for a year or two to learn, Especially with the pwhl, like, checking, too. I mean, it's, It's. It's changing. The game's becoming more like the men's side too, nowadays. 

Mike Bonelli [22:19 - 22:37]: Do you think. Do you think, like, what would you. What would you say to, you know, a girl right now, 12, 13 years old? This is playing with boys. And maybe what would you say to their coaches? I mean, did you feel like those coaches treated you differently because you were a girl? Or they just said, listen, this is a hockey player, and I'm gonna. I'm gonna drive her to be the best hockey player she could be. 

Caroline Harvey [22:37 - 23:53]: For me, I had a great experience. They. They. They treated me just like the boys. They wanted the best for me. They pushed me just as hard. They talked to me the same, which was awesome. I wanted that. I wanted to be held to the same standard. I think some of my teammates I've talked to, it's been a different experience for them. So it just depends. But I think if a girl's playing boys and she's 12 or 13 and she wants to continue to do it, maybe if they want only like, another year of checking or whatever it is, that'd be great. I mean, if they want to stay with them for a little bit longer. Um, but I think also, like, the prep school route of switching over at some point is an awesome opportunity. I feel like it was very beneficial. Um, and Layla was part of that journey, too, with me. She went to selects, and I'm pretty sure she played boys, too, and then switched over. So it's a, It's a good transition point. I feel like maybe if it's at, like, 14, maybe 15 years old, if a girl's looking to switch over, or maybe she is playing girls hockey and she wants to just go to prep school, and that's any avenue is great. And prep school, I feel like I'm an advocate for it. I feel like it teaches you a lot and helps you grow up a lot as a player in person. But there's no wrong, wrong route. You can play aaa, you could play double A, you could play whatever level it is and you can still make it. It's all in your own habits and your own drive to want to be the best. 

Mike Bonelli [23:53 - 23:53]: Right. 

Sheri Hudspeth [23:53 - 24:03]: What was that transition like for you when you went from boys to girls? Can you just explain some of the differences that you noticed? Maybe it was socially, maybe it was locker room experience. Just pull through it on that. 

Caroline Harvey [24:03 - 25:09]: Yeah, I feel like it was everything. I was like you said socially and on the ice as well. For, for all the ice focus. First it was the, the timing of stuff. I feel like I was used to because I did a year of checking, getting blown up and not having any time with the puck. Then I realized when I made this switch to girls, like I had a second more and I wouldn't get blown up. So that was nice. Be a little bit safer, like, and not have to just throw the puck way. So I had to get used to not just throwing the puck away as much. I could hold on to it, which was nice. But of course it was still physical. I'd still get rubbed out and I had to protect the puck and whatnot. And I feel like just socially it was amazing. It was like with the boys, it was great. They're like my brothers and they, they were tough and rough with me and I loved it. They pushed me to be bother better, but with the girls, it was. I made some great friendships. And to this day, Leila's been my best friend since my first. Her first year prep school. So I think she was like 13 or 14, so maybe about eight years now. We've been best friends or something like that. So it's. Yeah, it's. It's amazing in the social aspect of things. You meet some of your best friends along the way. 

Lee MJ Elias [25:10 - 25:46]: You know, I want to stay on this route for a little bit longer too. You know, we. Our show reaches a lot of parents too, and coaches. And I'm wondering on reflecting back on your journey. You know, different guests have talked about different experiences with parents and coaches. You alluded that you had a great coaching experience. Is there advice to parents, parents that you might have that have, you know, young ladies going through the, the development process or young boys? Right. We try and merge them together a bit. But what, what is some of the things you've experienced from parents and then what can. Can parents do? Maybe better to, to, you know, fortify that journey? 

Caroline Harvey [25:46 - 26:52]: Yeah. I think fostering an environment of being supportive, and you do want to push your. Your child to, you know, be their best selves and to strive for their goals. But there's a point where you have to take your foot off the gas as well. You have to have your hands off kind of thing. So I think it's a balance between the two. It's not. You want to hold them to a certain standard, but you don't need to be behind the board screaming at them, pointing at them and making signals like it's. You should let them play their game and honestly, like, if they want feedback, give it to them. If. If they don't, if it's one of those days where it wasn't their best game, like, just let it be, let it soak in. You know, a player knows when they're not playing their best or if, you know, it's been a rough patch. So you don't need a harp on your kid. I would say that's the biggest thing is you don't need to always harp on them. You know, yourself, just like yourself, like, as a parent, you know, when you mess up. So you don't need someone in your ear telling you that. So I would say that's the biggest thing is fostering an environment for them to grow as a player in person, being supportive, but at times being. Getting on them if, you know, if they're falling out of. Out of sorts. So it's a balance. You don't want to be too much on them. 

Lee MJ Elias [26:52 - 27:41]: I was gonna say from your. Your mouth to the hockey God's ears. Right. I mean, because this is true in. In all. In all youth sports, you know, there seems to be Carolina growing fear of letting kids fail. Right. And as coaches, I know, the three of us, you have to let your kids fail. I mean, you just alluded to that. Can you tell us, and this is kind of an either or question, there's no way anyone gets to the level you're at without failing at some point. No. Can you tell us about a. How you deal with failure, how you compartmentalize failure to your advantage. And if you want to share any of those failures, you don't have to. As an example, I think that's always a good story to tell because parents often protect their kids because they're also protecting themselves. If your kid hurts, you hurt. It's just the way it is. But you have to let him skate the line, walk the line in this sense. 

Caroline Harvey [27:41 - 28:58]: So, yeah, I mean, failure, like when I was. I remember when I Was younger. It was like, this car ride is very distinct in my mind right now. I. I was having. I was having a lot of fun, but I was. My dad was real with me, and I appreciate him. Now, looking back at the time, it sucked, but he was like, yeah, you're having fun. But he's like, I think I was just playing every position, and I was still, like, getting older. I think I might have been. It was just like a fun girls tournament. I was playing boys at the time, but that tournament, I just want to have fun. I remember I was playing forward, and I didn't have a great tournament, but I had fun in the locker room, and the girls were just being, like, goofy. But he was just like, yeah, it's awesome. You had fun. But if you. If you want to make the next level, like, you, like, you have to take it serious at one point, too. Like, you, like, if you don't want that. Like, he. He was kind of hard on me. Like, looking back now, I was like, at the time, I couldn't. I didn't have the perspective to understand what he was trying to do. But that really was a time where I kind of failed in a way. Whereas, like, yeah, I want to have fun doing the sport I love, but I do. I need to take it serious. I need to be good with my habits, too. I can't, like, let off at points. So he kind of put me in check in that way, which was a good reminder at the time. I didn't like it, but it made me kind of realize and lock in a bit more and turn things around. 

Lee MJ Elias [28:58 - 29:19]: Yeah, I think, too, that one of the. I don't know if it's a misunderstanding. It's something as you. You get more competitive, you realize the competition is the fun and that the. The work is the fun. Right. The grind is the fun. And it sounds like that was kind of the. The conversation that helped you arrive at that point. 

Caroline Harvey [29:20 - 29:20]: Exactly. 

Lee MJ Elias [29:20 - 29:43]: Can you talk about the grind? Because, you know, we didn't really tap on that. Like, look, we're totally celebrating the national championship and the gold medal, and we have. We have every right to do that as hockey fans and as a hockey podcast. But you didn't just arrive on Team USA and win a gold medal. Right. Tell us about the work. Tell us about the time you put in and. And. And also why that's fun now. 

Caroline Harvey [29:44 - 30:24]: Yeah, it's. It is a grind, like you said, and I've said it a couple times now on the podcast, it's every day. I mean, there's you have an off day, like maybe once a week, but you need to be in the gym, you need to be on the ice doing extra skills. You have to work on your footwork, everything. It's. You want to win a championship. If you want to come to the top at the end of a tournament, you. You need to put in that work all throughout a season, all summer, to. To do so. It's not something that just comes in the moment. It. It takes time. It's a process. So it's a continuous grind. And if you want to be at the top, if you want to wear that gold medal around your neck, it's something you have to commit to every day. 

Lee MJ Elias [30:24 - 31:41]: Yeah, I love it. And again, I just think it's weird that that feels like that's the hidden side, because, you know, we talk on the show all the time, Mike, especially on. On Our Kids Play Hockey, about how everyone's looking for that, that secret advantage, that secret thing that no one knows about that's going to put you over the top. And the truth is this is that I don't think that's something you can find, that's something that's in your hockey player or it's not. And both directions of that are okay, right? If, if your kid does not or is not exhibiting the drive to put in the work again, you can cultivate it, but you can't create it. Right. And, and like Caroline said, as a parent, that message your father gave you is such a wonderful example of him recognizing a situation and explaining it to you a way that you did understand and put into effect. But he didn't force you and say, you must be this, right? Because that's not. It's your life. So I say that. And, and I think also, and Mike and Cherry, please comment on this, that that drive could show up When They're 6, 16, 25. I Mean, you, you just don't know when it's going to show up. And again, you can cultivate it, but that's something that's going to be in your kid. Right. And I think it's important to understand that not every kid experiences that at the same age. 

Sheri Hudspeth [31:41 - 32:21]: I think it's something that's not teachable. Like, that's something you either have or you don't. You know, like when I was growing up, I didn't want to do anything else but hockey. My school reports were on hockey. Like, I'd come home and watch hockey. I'd play in my driveway, play street hockey. It's something that's it's the love is in you. Right. And I don't think it's something you can teach. Like, you see a lot of parents putting kids in hockey, and they, they almost want it more than the kid. And it's like, to really get to those high performance levels of D1 and NCAA, like, you have to have that drive somewhere inside of you, and you can't teach it and you can't force it. It's just there. And like Olympics, those athletes, that's a whole different level. Like, that's the 1% of the 1% that are on these national teams. 

Mike Bonelli [32:22 - 34:25]: Yeah. I think that's why Carolyn's story is so, like, impactful, I think, for that age group or any age group. Right. Is because there. It isn't a secret. Like, the secret, like, if you, if you're in development and you're in. And you watch how players compete and you watch the players that end up getting through the gauntlet of all the tournaments and this and the skill sessions and the morning skates and the, you know, all the spring and summer stuff, it is not a secret. It's, it's, it's. It's right there in your face. You see it every day. But I think, Carolyn, you made a great point with your, with your dad, is that sometimes, you know, kids need to just be reminded a little bit of staying on focus. Because I, I'm a believer that, you know, you be, you, you train to the level that you train with. And I think sometimes when players get into a place where it is just fun and, and, and like, there's no goal. Like, there's just, hey, let's just go out there and fool around, which is fine. That's so healthy and it's so great to have. But if you continue down that path all the time, every weekend, it goes that way, too. So one way or another, you're going to follow the path of the people you surround yourself with. And having fun is a lot different. And Lee brought it up and we bring it all the time. Like, having fun and competing don't have to be mutually exclusive. Like, it should be the same thing. And joking around and we, and I think as coaches, you love hearing locker rooms that are laughing and having fun or light. I mean, we just experienced it, you know, just recently. Right. With a Mark, Andre Flory, you know, leaving the game. Like, you talk to every single person, they don't even mention his hockey skill until after they mentioned how much fun the guy is like, and how much, you know, you know, you Think anybody said, oh, you got to be more serious, you know, if you're not more serious, you're never gonna make it, you know, So I think it's. I think it's just a matter of there's a time and a place to have, you know, to joke around and have fun. Put the work in, have fun. You know, drive, get there. Do you have to do have fun? And I think then all of a sudden you are having fun because you are getting better and you are competing and. I don't know. I don't know. I think fun is hoisting a gold medal. 

Lee MJ Elias [34:26 - 34:27]: Winning can be fun, too. 

Mike Bonelli [34:27 - 34:32]: Y National championship, those kind of things are fun, you know, in my opinion. 

Caroline Harvey [34:32 - 34:35]: Yeah. Very rewarding and fun. I would agree. 

Sheri Hudspeth [34:35 - 34:46]: So this is a question here for these young girls that are aspiring to be like you, to be a world champion, to play ncaa. What guidance would you give them, helping them pursue their dreams and get on that path? 

Caroline Harvey [34:47 - 35:35]: Yeah, it's. I think the first step is setting out your goals. Like, I mean, if you're a person that writes down jots in their phone notes, whatever it may be, just knowing what you want and how many years, if that's, you know, the next couple years, in the next 10 years, depends what age you are, where you want to be at. If it's 18, 20, 22, so kind of having a timeline for yourself, you know, you can do it on your own, you can sit down with your parents, but. Or it could just be a mental thing you have no one else knows about. So once you know your goals and you know what you have in mind, what are. What are the steps you're going to do to achieve that? What are you going to do every day? Like, are you going to do an extra workout? Are you going to shoot some more pucks? Like, do you need to work on your hands? Like, what part of your game needs to evolve more for you to. For you to achieve that, those goals that you have in mind? Um, yeah, it's just. I think it's. 

Sheri Hudspeth [35:35 - 35:35]: I'm. 

Caroline Harvey [35:36 - 35:55]: I don't know. I'm a person writing stuff down and, like, kind of, you know, having a set in stone. I want to do this, and I want to be this at this age. Um, I mean, really, if you have goals in mind and you set your mind to it, you can. I'm a firm believer that you can achieve it if you put in the work consistently every day, all every year. Like, whatever it is, you can do it. 

Sheri Hudspeth [35:55 - 36:08]: So. Megan Bozak mentioned a lot about journaling and she did that when she was, like, on the national team. Is there something specific that you can say that you do that's really helped you? Is it journaling? Is it, you know, can you talk about, like, what helps you the most? 

Caroline Harvey [36:09 - 37:09]: Yeah, I. I go through phases. I feel like driving. Journaling is a great way of doing that, and it can bring a lot of success and clear your mind. I. I fall. I feel like I fall in and out of that. For me personally, I'm more of a person of like. I, like, do relaxing things every day, like. Of, like stretching, for instance. Like, it might. It's more of, like a physical thing for me, but that helps me relax my mind too, because I'm, like, relaxing my body and I'm clearing my mind. I'm not thinking about, oh, I needed my homework, I need my laundry, I need to do this, that cook, clean. I'm just, like, relaxing and really taking that time to myself. So for me, I think it's like a stretching sequence every day, you know, making my body feel good and prep for the next day. I do journal, though, here and there. I feel like that's a great outlet as well, if you need to just get your thoughts out of your mind. If you're stressed about something or something's up and coming, writing your feelings down, or if you had a great game, or if you feel like you didn't do well and you want to get that off your plate too. It's. It's just kind of reflecting. It could be a weekly thing, it could be a daily thing. It just depends what you need for. For yourself. 

Sheri Hudspeth [37:09 - 37:21]: Is there something too, that you do to calm those nerves before the big game, before the Canada US Game? Is there something that helps you deal with that? You know, the nerves, the anxiety, the pressure. Can you talk about that a little bit? 

Caroline Harvey [37:21 - 38:25]: I feel like regardless of what age you are, I feel like any of the girls could attest to this, what age you are, how many years you've had, how much experience you have. Regardless, you are always going to be nervous for a gold medal game. And there's. It's just this, like, feeling like that kind of, you know, it's just setting. You need to set into the game, settle a bit. It's just regardless of how many world championships you've been there for, it's. It's just. It's always gonna come. Come on. But for me, personally, I just keep trying to do the consistent, same routine before the game, honest stuff. So it feels as similar and as the same prep As I always do. So I relax and regardless, I just, in my head I'm like, okay, I need to get the first little shifts under my belt, get used to the pace again. And then once I feel like I do and I'm playing my game, I'm like, okay. I mean, at moments it might hit me like, oh, this is gold medal game. There's a lot on the line and I might get nervous again, but it's just bringing it back to the basics. Like, okay, you've played a game all your life, the same game, you know what to do. So just relax and go out there and do what you do best. 

Lee MJ Elias [38:26 - 40:06]: Yeah, I've become very fond, been, been very blessed to, been in a lot of championship environments. Caroline. I'm not saying USA Gold medal, but, but you know, I, I tell my, my athletes that if you're feeling that feeling, that's a good thing, right? And, and that after a while, and I tell them the feeling never really goes away. It just becomes kind of an old friend, like you expect it, you know, it's going to be there. And I always say that if you're feeling, feeling that whatever word you want to tie to it, I don't like to use the word anxiety with that one. But if you're feeling that pre game, this is a big one, that's a good thing, right? That's exactly the position you want to be in. And we always say this too, that we talk about courage, right? And, and the courage to make the big play. Well, in the moment when you're being courageous, you don't feel like you're being courageous. It feel, doesn't feel like that, right? That's the after effect when you get the highlight on the TV or, or something happening. Right. But it's. In the moment, it's, it's. Everything's crazy. I always think it's important to explore those emotions and understand those emotions because I, I think there is this, oh, I'm supposed to feel a certain way before a certain moment, and that's not always true, right? Or sometimes those feelings are not glorious. They're, they're, they're mind bending and it's, you got to be able to see them for what they are. This is a good thing. Carolyn, you mentioned your father before. Obviously a major influential figure. I'd love to hear about more of the people that have influenced you, inspired you throughout your young career. Let's be honest. I mean, you're just really getting going here, and you've done a lot so far, but Tell me about those people in your life that have really, you know, inspired you to get to the level you're at today. 

Caroline Harvey [40:06 - 41:05]: Yeah, I think like you said, my dad was definitely an influential piece and support for me to, you know, to like get where I am and continue to be. He, he always support me. He always has had my back. He's always drove me those early mornings, brought me to extra workouts, extra skill sessions, you name it. He was always the one to bring me, support me, you know, criticize me at times, but also like, be like, okay, just like keep working at this, like, you'll get there, like reminding me of things. He's always had my best interest in mind and been the best. And then on top of that, just my family in general, I have the most amazing mom and siblings who have always supported me, but my number one fans, they've always had my back as well. So they're, they're students of the game as well. They see it in a different lens. They all have a different lens, which is great. They're always looking out for me and, you know, wanting me to find success and do well. So I'm so grateful to have the family I have. And yeah, they've been an integral part of that. And just my extended family as well too. 

Lee MJ Elias [41:05 - 41:38]: I love it. I love that you mentioned that because family plays such an amazing role. And again, to the, the parents listening, you know, that's you, right? You have the opportunity to be that kind of person and you are in your kid's life. If you're listening to this show, there's a 99.9% possibility you're in that realm. All right, Caroline, it's time for our favorite topic of the show. This is the Rapid Fire round. We're going to ask you a few questions. We get asked every time. Short answers, long answers, whatever you want. It's rapid fire. You do it however you want. I'll lead us off here today. Favorite rink you've ever played in? 

Caroline Harvey [41:40 - 41:42]: Ah, I would. 

Lee MJ Elias [41:43 - 41:44]: It's tough now. 

Caroline Harvey [41:44 - 41:49]: Yeah, I would say Le Bon because it's been a consistent thing the last couple years. 

Lee MJ Elias [41:49 - 41:52]: Le Bon, that's awesome. Mike, you want to take the next one? 

Mike Bonelli [41:53 - 42:05]: Sure. So we're always looking for, you know, I'm an old guy, so I always like to know what are the latest and greatest pump up songs. Like something that really, you know, you feel, you know, you're getting ready for a game. What are you listening to? 

Caroline Harvey [42:05 - 42:30]: Okay, I've been, I go between a couple genres like rap and edm. But I've been really on to this new song. I don't know if it's new. It's called the Days, and I think it's like the Notion remix. That's what it's called. But I. I actually pump up, I listen. This kind might just sound crazy, but Billie Eilish low to get high. 

Lee MJ Elias [42:30 - 42:36]: So that doesn't sound great. Whatever works, right? Yeah, it works. They're gonna skyrocket now that you said that. 

Caroline Harvey [42:36 - 42:37]: Sure. 

Lee MJ Elias [42:37 - 42:39]: You want to take the next one and then the bonus one? 

Sheri Hudspeth [42:39 - 42:46]: Bonus. Okay. Who is your favorite hockey player growing up? And maybe who is it now? Let's. Let's get both. 

Caroline Harvey [42:46 - 43:30]: Okay. Right now, I would say Quinn Hughes. Just his game. He's changing the dynamic and the way a defenseman plays. I love his game. His mom's actually our player development coach, Ellen Hughes. She sends me his clips, and she's been amazing. She had us out to Michigan last summer, so she's been great part of the process as well. And then growing up, I would say as a female figure, it would be. I would say Casey Bellamy. She's just such a solid defenseman. So strong, a great stick, great shot. I feel like growing up, I just always try to want to play like her. And, you know, I always looked up to her the way she was as a person and player. 

Sheri Hudspeth [43:31 - 43:36]: And the bonus question, do you have a nickname? And if so, how did you get it? 

Caroline Harvey [43:37 - 43:52]: If you guys didn't know, it's kk Just growing up my sister. It's funny, she's actually older than me, but when my mom was like, oh, like, her name's Caroline, that's where it came out somehow. So that stuck. And now everyone knows me as that to this day. 

Lee MJ Elias [43:52 - 43:56]: So do you give her props for that? Does she. Does she take credit for that? 

Caroline Harvey [43:56 - 43:58]: Yeah, gets credit all the time. 

Lee MJ Elias [43:59 - 44:17]: Well, Caroline, this has been a really great episode. I. I really do want to tell you how much we appreciate you coming on. Your life has been crazy here for. For a few months, and I'm glad we caught you in a bit of a downtime. And, you know, we might not quite be stretching to relax, but I hope this was a relax, relaxing episode for you. And he had a good time on our Girls Play Hockey. 

Caroline Harvey [44:17 - 44:21]: Awesome. No, yeah. Thank you for having me. It's been great to chat about everything. 

Lee MJ Elias [44:21 - 46:02]: No, it's been great for us too. And again, Caroline's going to join us for an episode of the Ride to the Rink that'll be coming out Tuesday, but that's going to do it for this edition of Our Girls Play Hockey. For Sherry Hudspith. For Mike Benelli. For Caroline Harvey, I'm Lee Elias. We'll see you in the next one, everybody. Take care. We hope you enjoyed this edition of Our Kids Play Hockey. Make sure to like and subscribe right now if you found value wherever you listening, whether it's a podcast network, a social media network, or our website, our kids play hockey.com also, make sure to check out our children's book, When Hockey stops@when hockeystops.com It's a book that helps children deal with adversity in the game and in life. We're very proud of it. But thanks so much for listening to this edition of Our Kids Play Hockey and we'll see you on the next episode. Sample Satan.