🔥 What were YOU doing at 14 years old? Because Estela Vazquez was winning GOLD on the international stage.
In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, we sit down with Estela Vazquez — a rising star goaltender for the Connecticut Junior Rangers, Greenwich Country Day School, and the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team 🇵🇷.
At just 13 years old, Estela stepped onto the international stage in Buenos Aires and walked away as Goaltender of the Tournament, helping Puerto Rico capture gold. But her story goes far beyond the medal…
This conversation dives into the mindset, discipline, and maturity it takes to balance elite hockey, school, and life — all while staying grounded and driven.
🧠 In this episode, we cover:
-What it really takes to succeed as a young goalie
-How Estela manages school, travel, and multiple teams
-The mental side of goaltending (and how to stay calm under pressure)
-Why positive self-talk (“lock in”) can change your game
-The role of parents, coaches, and teammates in development
-Why facing adversity (and NOT getting pulled) matters for growth
-The importance of dreaming big — and working for it every day
💬 One of the most powerful takeaways:
“You always want to think positive… when you think negative, it goes bad.”
🎯 Whether you're a goalie, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with real, actionable insight — straight from a player living it right now.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: https://www.ourkidsplayhockey.com/blog/how-a-14-year-old-goalie-is-redefining-youth-hockey-success--estela-vazquez-story/
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