Our Girls Play Hockey - Hayley Scamurra’s Championship Parade, Gold Medal Year, and the End of a Historic Season

SPEAKER_03 0:07

Hello, hockey friends and families around the world, and welcome back to another edition of Our Girls Play Hockey. This is a special edition because today is the last, the final episode of our 2025-2026 Day in the Life series starring Haley Skimora. I was trying to purposely scare half of you there. Uh a different hat today. I'm wearing my Olympic rings hat today for you, Haley. All right, because that is one of the big accomplishments from the year. But uh gang, when we last left you, I gotta get used to saying that. When we last left you on our last episode of Day in the Life, uh, Haley has won the PWHL championship, she has won the Walter Cup. We kind of went through the 48 hours or so after that, where you were with your teammates, you were with a pool party, and a parade in downtown Montreal was on the horizon. And I think the audience all wants to feel like they were there with you at that parade, Haley. So that's the first question. Tell me everything about the parade when you had to show up, how it went on stage with the cup, your teammates. Uh, and we only have uh uh 40 minutes.

SPEAKER_04 1:13

So it was an incredible day. I think it just it exceeded any of our expectations. And we knew Montreal would show up, but it was like the amount they showed up and with the energy they showed up with was unparalleled. Like I've never experienced something like that in my life. It was incredible. So I'll start at the beginning. We went to, we met at our practice rink, which is in Verdun, which is like a uh a suburb, if you will, outside of the downtown Montreal area, probably like 15 minutes or so away. We met there at like 9 a.m. Uh so you know, girls had mimosas, they were making Caesars, like we were just having fun, like in the locker room, like waiting to get prepped on like what the day would look like. Because, you know, we had security there, like different protocols and things like that. Um, so that was super fun. And we had we we come out and we see we have like a double decker bus. And so that was super exciting. We had three female cops who volunteered their time to kind of like lead us out on their motorcycles uh to the parade path, which was gonna be in downtown. So we get there. There's some people at the rink like waving and you know, whatever. So we're like, okay, cool, good start. And you know, we get on the bus and um we get new t-shirts and we start our trip, and there's like a mass of people right outside this one church, like right down the road from where we started. And they're so excited, they have signs, like, and I'm like, oh, it's a pretty good showing. All right, all right, we're off to a good start. And like that, everyone's like honking their horns on the way, like whoever's passing us, and we're all just cheering, so pumped. And um, it was just amazing. And so it probably takes about 15, 20 minutes to finally get to like where we're supposed to be, where everyone knows we're gonna be. And it's called St. Catharine Street, where we start. And for those that don't know, it's like this um, it's a really great street where like it's all this outdoor shopping kind of on the street, lots of clothes and things like that. It's a really fun street to walk down. And so we turn on that street, and all we see are people like lining both sides of the street. That's awesome. So excited, screaming. So we're like hanging off the sides, like pointing at them, yelling, like people are tossing beers over. Like it was just wild. And so we're so focused on like looking forward, right? We're looking on both sides, seeing all the people. And then the coolest part, we're about like halfway down the street to like where we end up going to like get to like the stage, right? The stage area. And we have some staff who are in the back of the bus, and they're like, guys, you have to come look behind the bus. And I'm like, why would we look behind the bus, right? So we all get to the back of the bus, and all we see are a sea of people chasing the bus to the point where you can't even see the street. Like, you don't see where the street begins. It's just people following us to get to this parade moment. And I think for me and for most girls that I've talked to, that was kind of like the moment where it hit. Like I had tears in my eyes at that point. Like I I was just so blown away by how many people were there to support us and following us to just celebrate the cup. Like it just felt like what you would see for like a Super Bowl parade or like a Stanley Cup parade. It just it really felt like the moment for women's sports. It was, yeah. Like it's it's just so it was just so surreal. So that was a big moment. And then again, just so many people on either sides of the bus. And um, and then we finally get to like uh the staging area, and that's where all the people are filled, and like there's like a little bit of like a field area for everyone to like stand to like watch the stage, and they're just it's packed, it's packed, and there's a red carpet for us to walk down. So we're waiting on the bus and we're waiting to go because you know, security has to get in place and things like this. And so we take, we finally get off the bus to go down the red carpet, and Pooh's holding the cup, and we're walking down and we're high-fiving everyone, and like just putting on the show, coming down the red carpet to finally get to the backstage. Um, and so that was just incredible. Uh, we were told we weren't allowed to sign anything during that because it would have obviously taken forever. So we had to just get right to the stage. And then from there, they like announce us one by one going on to the stage. So, you know, everyone's doing different things, and I didn't know what to do. I just like was fist pumping and stuff. But some girls, you know, went down on a knee, chugged a beer, you know, like just it was so much fun. And all the fans were just cheering and um it was it was just amazing. And then our coaches had a speech to like, you know, talk about how amazing the coaches were, give them some credit, have them lift the cup in front of the fans, and um, and then we're we're singing on stage, we're dancing on stage. Like it was just like a concert, basically, and everyone's just loving it. And then, of course, Amanda Boulier has the tuba. Um, and she's she's playing that thing with all her heart. Uh, for those that don't know the story behind it, she lost a bet with Laura Stacy. Uh, they would try to guess who was gonna be on the camera uh for every game, like before the game starts. And they had like a running thing, like whoever won at the end of the regular season. And so Amanda lost. And so originally she was gonna have to play it at the top of Montreal and like have like a little cup, you know, for people to like give her tips and stuff. But to be honest, this was so much better. She was on the stage at the parade and she played that thing the whole time. Like she was dedicated, she did not stop. Um, so that was a really funny piece to everything. And then um we were probably on stage, I want to say an hour, maybe. And then after that, they were like, okay, you guys can kind of go down and start signing stuff and and whatnot. So I kind of went, I started backstage, and like there was just a sea of people wanting things signed. Then they're throwing things at you from behind because like, because it's like layered, right? Like there's so many people. And uh I signed as much as I could, and then we uh had like a place we went to go get lunch at afterwards and got to just celebrate together. But it was one of the best days ever, honestly. And we just appreciate how much they showed up for us and how much energy they brought. And again, like I said, it felt like out of a movie, it really did. And um, I know it made us all really emotional at times to kind of see because it just really felt like the the big moment.

SPEAKER_05 7:34

I was gonna say it must have gotten emotional for you. I mean, it's so electric, so fun. But then there's that other side of it is you know, wow, women's hockey, we have arrived. This is what a moment in history, right?

SPEAKER_04 7:52

That that's exactly how it felt. It just all kind of hit at once, and then it was also like just how far we've come in general, um, and how much more there is to grow. And yeah, it just it really did feel like the big moment for women's sports.

SPEAKER_03 8:05

Amazing. And you know what's crazy about it too, Christy, and I remember this now, Haley, in the last episode was one of the I don't want to say concerns, one of the question marks we had was you know, the the Canadiens were on the verge of being eliminated. And how would that affect the crowd, if at all? Uh and it didn't in any way, which is which which I think A says a lot about the people and the fans of Montreal that they showed up to force for you. All right, and and by the way, had been showing you support throughout both the PW Troll and the NHL playoffs, uh, pretty obviously. Um but to support again your point, Christy, it didn't matter, right? Like it wasn't exclusive to the Canadians winning for them to support the victoire, which is exactly correct. That's exactly how you wanted it to be. And um, Haley, I don't know if you got to see any of the broadcasts of that parade, but um yeah, we saw, or I should say we didn't see the street, like you said, it was completely covered. Um and and you know, if I'm not mistaken, it's the first parade in Montreal, probably since '93. Probably. So that's pretty crazy stuff. Amazing. I I also have to say this because I take notes every if you ever watch the show and you see me looking off screen, it's because I'm taking notes. Uh, for the American audience, uh, Haley referred to a drink called a Caesar. Uh that's I think of the Bloody Mary. A little bit different. For those of you who want to know, yes, I forgot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sleep on a Caesar if you're in Canada, by the way. Um, but absolutely fantastic stuff, uh Haley. And and again, do you remember any of the speeches, any favorite speeches aside from the music performances?

SPEAKER_04 9:37

Well, a few of them were in French, so I'm not gonna lie, I had no idea what they were saying. So that was like who, and I'm trying to find a French person next to me to tell me, and then they would just sum it up real quick. So it wasn't quite the same vibe, but it sounded like the fans loved it.

SPEAKER_01 9:50

Right.

SPEAKER_04 9:51

Um, but no, it was um, I would say the I think the only one I'm trying to think. So there was Stacy, Abby Rock, and our coach Corey, who spoke in English that I can remember. Abby Rock's was pretty quick, but obviously the fans were loving it. Um, and Stacy's was pretty great because it was just talking about like taking in the moment and like how far women's sports has come and like thank you all for coming and things like that. And then Corey's was great because it just really she uh had a little speech for like every single coaching staff member, including like our stats guy and things like that. And she had the crowd say, like, Mercy Coach, you know, it was really cute, so that I could say that. So I was like, perfect, I'm in. Um, but yeah, it was it was an incredible day, and it was cool to see them all kind of have their moment with the cup too, with the fans and get to get the recognition they deserved and stuff. So that was that was really nice.

SPEAKER_00 10:42

How much how much preparation went into like your rundown? I mean, obviously, this is uh this is new to probably everybody, right, in the group. And uh I'm just wondering, you know, as you're going through that process, because these these things become, you know, it's really is a coordinated event. You can't just, you know, parades like this, aren't you? Like, hey, let's go downtown, you know, go to the bar and the just wondering how how much coordination went into the players and and the staff and and things that you kind of had a, you know, you knew, like, okay, here's here's kind of our agenda for the day, and and where we're gonna get our little breaks in.

SPEAKER_04 11:14

Yeah, they kind of went through the the protocols, and then it was funny because at one point on our drive, we were told we had to sit for a portion because there was an overhead pass we were going over. So they were on that, making sure no one was standing up for that part, and then um, you know, just a little bit in terms of like once we got there, what it would look like, I think was big because like when we see people for autographs, we usually try to do autographs. So them telling us, like, guys, do not do you can't do that on the way in. Like, we have to get in and go. Um, and then just like different security protocols, which was interesting, and like, I don't know, hadn't really thought about it, but it is kind of crazy. Like, we had to have security kind of get us through the mob of people to get onto the bus afterwards, which was wild.

SPEAKER_05 11:58

Um, and so yeah, you mentioned too that female police officers led the parade, which how cool is that? I mean, that obviously was intentional.

SPEAKER_04 12:08

It it definitely was because they had helped us when we went to City Hall too. They volunteered their time to kind of um escort us to City Hall, and so then it was the same three female cops that came for this one, which was really cool. Like they were just so supportive, so excited for us, and uh that that was special for sure. Also, it's oh yeah. I should also yeah, I forgot to mention the Walter Cup was in this cool old car in front of the bus with our GM and our head coach. So that was kind of a cool look as well.

SPEAKER_03 12:35

Yeah, cup gets its own, gets its own gets its own ride.

SPEAKER_04 12:38

It did. We were kind of sad it wasn't with us on the bus, but we understood they said for the fans they could see it a little closer, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 12:45

Sure, the cup has its own ride.

SPEAKER_03 12:49

Yeah, it's it's so cool to hear the inside story of this and the planning. You know, Haley, I'm just thinking in my head like if I told you a few years ago you're gonna be part of the first hockey parade in Montreal since 1993, it's like I I always like to bring up these thoughts. Sure, because we talk about glass ceilings and trailblazing, like that's not even something I thought about until I saw it happening. You know what I mean? And and um, you know, I I I want to ask this too. So, and this can this can be more than just a parade, uh, considering like we're kind of summate summating the end of the season here, but you had so many amazing interactions with fans. You know, when when you were uh in Montreal, in the room in Montreal, we I saw that great uh picture behind you of all the teams you'd been on that was clearly made by someone. Yeah is there is there a specific, I know there's a lot, interaction with a fan or something that a fan said to you that really uh I don't know, hit you between the eyes or just just hit you in a positive way that was like, wow, you know, the the impact is is even more clear with that.

SPEAKER_04 13:49

You know what? Um, it actually didn't get said to me directly, but I actually was watching a few clips on like YouTube and stuff just to see different perspectives and what I maybe didn't see. And it was a fan interview of this older woman, and she she was just brought to tears because of the opportunities we have now that she didn't have. And so I think that gets lost a lot in terms of the impact it has. Like we always focus on like the little girls, but it's like it's also for the women who didn't have the opportunity to be in a league like this, um, and who paved the way to get us to this point. Um, and so I think that really hit for me a bit um to make sure like they get that kind of like recognition and make sure we uh make time for them, like for autographs or for talking and different things like that. Cause I just feel like that may be, you know, you focus on the little kids so much you kind of forget about the generation before a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 14:39

That's a great point, right?

SPEAKER_05 14:41

And speaking of little kids, about the young girls that were lined up to see their heroes, the heroines. Yeah, it must have been so exciting for them.

SPEAKER_04 14:51

Yeah, yeah, like their parents' shoulders, you know, trying to get a good view and stuff. It was pretty incredible.

SPEAKER_03 14:57

Now, I want to bring this up. This is gonna be a really cool part of this episode, and uh, the audience is gonna understand why. If this was a movie, right? The parade is where the credits start running and the story ends because we've won on top of the mountain, we've got Walter, we've got the parade, we've got our fans. Beautiful ending, all right? That's where the movie ends. Okay, Haley's life and every athlete's life still continues, right? And and one of the things that I want the audience to understand, this is day in the life, is probably how jarring we hit the brakes here. Because it's like, hey, Haley, great season. Get out of your apartment and drive home.

unknown 15:38

Right?

SPEAKER_03 15:39

Because that's it, I mean, it wasn't that abrasive, obviously, but you had to move out, like right away. Like, like the I think it was what 24 hours, 48 hours, right? Like you're pretty much real.

SPEAKER_04 15:50

Yeah, well, funny enough, another part of the story, we got to go to a Luke Combs concert that night. And so originally, like Nick and I were gonna pack a little bit more to leave on that Monday. So that was a Saturday. And uh, I was like, we can't pass up on a concert like with all the girls. So we got to go to that, which was incredible, but um yeah, we we spent all day Sunday packing and then left on Monday. Um, another fun hiccup I had my my car was stolen at the beginning of May.

SPEAKER_02 16:17

Oh no.

SPEAKER_04 16:17

So I uh yeah, I didn't tell you guys that, but um I didn't have a car, we only had Nick's car, and so I had to rent a car in Canada and uh to pack up more of our stuff to bring home. So that was a fun, a fun little wrinkle in a couple of things. What is there?

SPEAKER_00 16:32

What was there, a gold medal sitting on the front seat or something? Jeez, Lois, no that's gone.

SPEAKER_04 16:37

No, no, no, that is with me always.

SPEAKER_03 16:39

Yeah, that's uh that throws in uh a little more tension into the day of the life episodes we've done as you're just driving. Um boy, I hope you get that figured out.

SPEAKER_04 16:49

Uh yeah, it's it's on its way, but uh it just I had to figure that out. So yeah, right.

SPEAKER_03 16:55

So so okay, let's let's get this said. You you you're packed up and you're leaving like yes, it's a very abrupt ending. And and again, this is pretty normal across all sports, like the season just kind of ends, right? Like the parade is like a bonus if you win in a lot of ways, right? Yeah, so you're packed up, you're leaving, uh, and you're driving out of Canada. You first stop for you is Buffalo. Uh it's pretty exciting stuff in Buffalo. Talk to me about that.

SPEAKER_04 17:20

So I was actually approached about it in sometime in April or May, uh, to that I was invited to go to one of their off season training days. And um, they gave us like multiple dates that we could go to. And I, you know, some of them were in May, and I'm like, I don't think that'll work because it will most likely still be in playoffs. And then uh we saw that there was one for June 2nd. I'm like, all right, I guess I can make it work. We can just make a little triangle, go from Montreal to Buffalo, Bills, just so everybody knows the Buffalo Bills.

SPEAKER_03 17:50

The Buffalo Bills.

SPEAKER_05 17:51

Is there anyone else to talk about?

SPEAKER_03 17:53

The Sabers were doing all right, but no, just just I just want to paint this again, Haley. The Buffalo Bills, yeah, team has invited Haley. They've reached out to her. I like to promote that kind of thing. They're reaching out to her. You didn't reach out to them, they reached out to you because you accomplished something a little earlier in the year that they were interested in. Uh keep going, Haley. Sorry, I just want to set that up for the audience for sure.

SPEAKER_04 18:15

And then so I was like, okay, we'll make that work. So we left June 1st, got to Buffalo, um, me and Nick, and then I invited my brother Travis to come too. And uh, we were able to tour the new stadium that they're building. And it was it is incredible. And it was actually the first day they had just been granted um occupancy year. Yeah, I forget the exact term. Uh, so we didn't have to wear our hard hats. Apparently, that was the first day people didn't have to wear hard hats. It's like perfect, like much better for photos.

SPEAKER_01 18:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 18:45

Um, so yeah, we start, we start with the tour. And guys, I mean, for all Buffalo fans, this facility is absolutely incredible. You are going to love it. It is going to be amazing. They have thought of everything you can think of. Like every single part of the stadium, they talked about the intention behind it, who they asked for, their opinions on it. Like, they talked to everyone. They talked to the ticketing office, they talked to fans, they talked to staff members, like anyone you can think of, they made sure it's like the best it can be for football.

SPEAKER_01 19:18

Wow.

SPEAKER_04 19:19

And um, it's just it's beautiful, it's so cool. Um, I'm trying to think where to even like begin. I think we went to like the locker rooms first. Oh my god, locker rooms. Massive, like this huge. I'm like, how are they gonna even have speeches in here? You need like a microphone, like it's literally so long.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

Oh wow.

SPEAKER_04 19:37

Um, and just huge. So that was really cool. So we get in there, and then uh a great part about that, all of a sudden we see all these construction people come in. And I'm like, huh, I wonder what they're coming in here for. And they're with Deion Dawkins, who is the offensive lineman for the Bills, such a fun character. He's hilarious. So he just walks in. We weren't expecting to see him. Oh my god he wasn't expecting to see us, and he was like, You look like an athlete. Like, what's going on? And so I got to show him the gold medal, and he was so pumped. And we had like a great, like 10-15-minute conversation, honestly. Like he was so like, um, he was so excited to like meet me and talk to me and talk about like how you know I've reached that pinnacle and they want to reach that pinnacle and get past that threshold. And so it was just like a great, like respectful, really nice conversation. What were you gonna say?

SPEAKER_00 20:25

Is that is this the kid that played ice hockey?

SPEAKER_04 20:27

No, he did not play ice hockey.

SPEAKER_00 20:31

I I think I think one of the guys from who's one of the guys you interview you ran into there that played that was from the Bronx that he that he Skyler Bell.

SPEAKER_04 20:38

He's a wide receiver. That was later in the day. Oh, it was okay. Because the Deion Dawkins inter like that interaction was just like happenstance, like we just ran into each other, like that didn't like it wasn't expected. So that was super fun. Um, and then and I got to show the medal to all the construction people as well who have been working tirelessly on the stadium, like round the clock, I'm sure. Yeah, they gotta get the deadline done. Yeah, yeah. So we're taking pictures, all that fun stuff, and then um, and then we finally get to go to the stadium, and it's just like wow, it just like envelops you, like it was just like you can feel the fans are gonna be right on top of you. Uh, the little bit of a breeze, they say they cut the win by like 50% of whatever it is outside of the stadium. Like, there's all this like science behind it. Um, and yeah, the stadium is beautiful, it is so nice. And then we got to go, they have like a train horn that they can sound at the end of the stadium. And so I got to play the train horn, which was sick. That must have empty stadium.

SPEAKER_03 21:39

That must have been a big echo. Jeez.

SPEAKER_04 21:41

It's scared, it actually scared me. I knew it was gonna happen, but it still scared me. Like, I think the video's online, but it was really fun.

SPEAKER_05 21:48

All the Bills fans listening right now are are so jealous of you, right?

SPEAKER_03 21:52

This would be our most popular mini clip because we're talking about the Bills.

SPEAKER_05 21:56

Yeah, but this is such a rare inside look. Because we in the media haven't even gotten it tour yet. So this is fantastic. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:04

If you want to go home, Christy, you can get in there.

SPEAKER_05 22:05

Oh, right, right.

SPEAKER_04 22:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:07

You met a lot of other athletes. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_04 22:10

Well, yeah, got to see all the suites and like all the different like installations they have in the arena, which that I won't get into. I'm sure they'll post that at some point.

SPEAKER_01 22:19

Sure.

SPEAKER_04 22:20

Um, just so much intention. It was so cool. And I even asked for the fans about like tailgating and stuff because I know they were worried about it. And they said they created extra space in the parking lots for people to tailgate. So don't you worry, Bill's fans. Still plenty of room. So yeah, it's it's just incredible. It was so much fun. We must have been there for an hour and a half or so. Um, and then we got to go to the field house and then go see them practice, uh, which was really like a cool insight to kind of have to see how they practice because it's just so different. They have music play and they're having fun, you know, but they're also in like their their different groups. There's just so many of them. And there's also so many different styles of coaching, obviously, because the positions are all so different. Um, so that was really fun to watch. And uh and then the head coach came over to talk to me during practice, which was super nice. Like he did not have to do that. Like I was expecting to talk to them like when practice was over, but he came, he came right over and we were chatting and he was uh super pumped to like meet me and like talk and um just ask questions, which was really nice. And it was a really cool, really nice experience for sure. And like all the players, like so. I ended up like putting the metal on at one point. So they're all like, let's go. And they're like they're like going like this. They wanted me to like bite it for them and stuff. It was oh my gosh, what about Josh Allen?

SPEAKER_03 23:39

Yeah, did you meet a guy named Josh?

SPEAKER_04 23:40

Didn't you I did um so finally practice ends, and uh I talked to the head coach again. He comes over to chat more, and then Josh Allen finally comes over and like I have wanted to meet Josh Allen, I mean, forever. Like for Buffalo fans, like I just absolutely love him, have so much respect for him, love watching him as an athlete. Like, I feel like he's he's grown so much, he's gotten so much better year after year, and I feel like he's only gonna continue to keep growing. And uh the way he handles all the pressure and stuff, I just yeah, so much respect. I've been so pumped to meet him. Uh, and so I actually had a Montreal Victois jersey to give him, and he had one to give me, but he came over, introduced himself, like was so respectful, so like excited to see the medal. I don't know if you guys watched the video, he was literally jumping up and down. He was so pumped to see it. And I was like, that really helps keep my nerves calm a bit, right? So uh yeah, it was just he was so nice, and so we just got to chat a little bit about that and uh got to exchange jerseys, which was really cool.

SPEAKER_05 24:45

And yeah, it was amazing. What a dream come true! And of course, that elusive Super Bowl championship is something that they're chasing, right? And they haven't yet gotten that. So you need to share with them your technique to manifest that gold medal, you need to do that so that we can get a Super Bowl championship of Buffalo too.

SPEAKER_04 25:08

I I have no doubts, they've got this. I have a I have a good feeling about this year.

SPEAKER_03 25:12

Uh I do I I I will say this too that from Joe Brady to Josh Allen, all the videos that you shared. The thing that stuck out to me, uh, and and again, for the audience listening, especially the kids, this is something you see in professional sports was the absolute mutual respect for each other. Haley, from you to them and them to you. Like, and again, look, there's always a little fandom in situations like this, and like that's that's anything, right? You're a Bills fan. Um, but they you could tell what you just said. These guys had so much respect for you and what you had accomplished, and I'm sure you had some conversations about what it took, right? Because they're eternal students of winning as well. I I wish we could, you know, we as they made this another episode. I wish we could encompass the desire and need to win at the professional level. I don't think it's something people particularly have a grip on, uh, even as fans, I don't think you understand that unless you're willing to give up your entire body to achieve it. Um, but I just love the mutual respect. And like I said, I know we saw some videos online, Haley, but man, that they roll out the red carpet for you, and it's well deserved. And again, this was for more the gold medal than the Walter Cup championship. Uh I mean, I'm sure they asked about that a little bit too. Like that you were you were getting both of those.

SPEAKER_04 26:26

Yeah, yeah, we definitely talked about that. They were like, Oh, you also got that too. Oh my goodness. I'm like, by the way. It's been quite the quite the year, but um, and then it was really cool because then after I met Josh, uh, we went into the field house because like they all go in and like kind of get ready to leave for the day, but a lot of them wanted to come see the metal and chat with me more. So then I had like I would say like eight or nine guys like come out on their own time to like come chat and see the medal and take pictures and stuff like that. And yeah, you know, just so many of them were just so kind. Like it was just um it was a really amazing experience. It's nice to know too, because you always wonder what they are like when they're you know in person with you, right? A com yeah, a conversation that stuck out was Christian Benford. He like was just telling me how proud he was of me and how amazing it was, and how much like sacrifice and mental and physical the toll it takes. And he was just, yeah, he was really like um said a lot of really kind words, and Lamar Hamlin was really nice. Dawson Knox, um, Dion Walker came out, like all of them. Like Deion Walker was funny because he came out and he's one of the big, like he's huge. Okay, he's gotta be one of the tallest guys on the team. He holds the medal and he was like, I could see his hand was like shaking, and his hand is huge, okay? Like it was massive. The the metal barely fit, like it was like tiny in the palm of his hand, looked like a pebble, and he's holding it, and he goes, Oh, I don't want to drop it. And I go, I don't think you could.

SPEAKER_01 27:52

I think it's physically impossible to measure it.

SPEAKER_00 27:56

Yeah, you could take it and know it too, just steal it. I think it's I think it's so I I get I bet you too. I mean, it's gotta be so different for a football player because they don't have an opportunity to represent their country. No, like football doesn't get to go win a gold medal across the world, right? So I think it's you know, unless you're coming from like track and field or or another other events, right? That that they have to look and say, I mean, I think a lot of that, you know, kind of uh you know, admiration comes from the fact that like they that's one thing they'll never get a chance to do is compete for their country, um, which is really special, you know, especially it sounds like the guys, you know, really appreciated what you've done, you know, for for USA, uh, but also that that an individual accomplishment, which is uh, you know, really fun to hear that that back and forth from the from the athlete.

SPEAKER_04 28:44

Yeah, that's what Josh had said too when we had like the first thing he said when we had met, he's just like, I just think that is the most incredible thing to be able to represent your country and stuff. So you can tell like that's a desire that he has, and I'm sure a lot of them do. And you know, it's kind of sad they don't get the opportunity to do that, but um, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 29:00

You know, I'll I'll say too that just from a gold medal standpoint, there's no gold medal in history that's ever been won, uh uh that hasn't been earned, right? Like I think sometimes people go, Oh, it's this sport, or like you know, they look, there's some funny sports in Olympics sometimes. Everyone that's ever received a medal, I won't even say, or actually, even got it. It was earned. You might not see it at the the event, but years and years of harnessing these crafts. And these guys know that, yeah, especially in a sport like hockey, like how earned this is. And uh again, they'll have to listen to the day in the life if they want the full uh uh uh ability to understand that. Now, listen, two things here, Haley. We got about 10 minutes left on this episode. Um, as a son of Philadelphia, I do have to say go birds. I text you guys. You can give me a thumbs down if you want, like you did on the text. I hey like we're friends, but I, you know, I do have to draw the line there. Although everyone loves Allen, including me. So but I will say that. Uh please don't turn off the episode because I said go to birds. That's just my allegiance. I'm just taking me. Okay. Um after this now, you're done with Buffalo. This is an interesting point. Because now you gotta drive to Maryland. And it's a six-hour drive, I believe, uh, give or take with traffic, down to Maryland. I had asked you last episode uh if you had had a quiet moment after all of this stuff had happened. Um I'm wondering if this now, that drive becomes the first time like I've sustained sitting and driving. Where maybe you can reflect a little bit. Um, or or not, right? Like, what was that drive like? Because imagine your life is going a million miles per hour and it's like, hey, let's go sit in the car and go down 95, you know, to Maryland.

SPEAKER_04 30:40

It was uh it was good. I talked I talked with family and stuff, just letting them know I was on my way down, and then Nick and I were driving separate, so we actually talk a lot on our phones throughout the car ride. As kids, yeah, yeah. Um but I think honestly, the moment was like when we got home and we were just like lying in bed and finally able to just kind of like sit there and not have to do anything. Right. Nothing on the schedule. We'll do nothing on the schedule. Like yesterday was probably that was my day to just do nothing. I didn't care about the things in the car, I didn't care about anything, like getting back to people. I was like, guys, I need a day uh to just do nothing. And it was a wonderful, relaxing next day. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_03 31:22

You know, Haleya, it's funny in seeing where you're at right now for the audience listening. When we started the Daily on the Life series, you were kind of where you are now. You were you were in Maryland, you were in a house, and it's funny when we look back at the entire series, you went from essentially the room you're in now to the Montreal skyline behind you, to you know, Italy, to like that, and then and then we're back. And it's the reason I'm bringing that up is because this is life in professional sports, right? Like the season ends, and then it's over, and it's like you gotta start kind of going next next directions. You know, I will I do want to give a shout-out here too. Like, you're gonna be doing something with the the Washington Mystics. I do want to give you a chance to talk about that real quick, uh, and then just kind of briefly go over the summer. Um, and then we'll kind of close this out. But I I I just it is amazing to me the life of an athlete because it it doesn't stop for us when the parade ends, right? It doesn't end. So anyway, talk about the mystics, talk about what's going on. Uh this yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 32:24

So Monday I'm going to the Washington Mystics game, WMBA game. Uh they're playing the Indiana Fever. Uh, and before the game, yeah, before the game, they're doing like an autographed meet and greet session. I'll be there. My uh teammate Lacey Eden's also gonna be there, and um, we'll get to do that before the game, and then we're also sitting courtside. So I've never been to a WMA game, so I'm actually super excited. I just haven't had the opportunity or the chance to, and so this is obviously a great one. Um, and so I'm sure they'll do some like jumbotron recognition, some t-shirt tosses in there. Uh, so it'll be fun. It'll be fun to celebrate uh with the DMV area. Haven't gotten a chance to do that yet, obviously. And so that'll be where are they playing? When?

SPEAKER_03 33:07

Where?

SPEAKER_04 33:08

Oh, where? Um, care first arena, I think is what it's called. Um, it's it's N DC, so it's not the Capital One arena.

SPEAKER_03 33:15

So I think it's a little bit of a discurser. I said you've already been there, and then uh they're playing the fever.

SPEAKER_04 33:22

Yes, I know I haven't seen Caitlin Clark in person, so maybe there's an interaction there that might happen.

SPEAKER_03 33:28

That'd be cool. Yeah, I'm saying this with extreme respect. That's a person who also wants to win a gold medal in the future, for sure. Um, so I'm sure she would love to pick your brain about that. Um, and then also in addition to this, just kind of like looking uh broadly here, Haley. Like you see, you're doing a lot of camps this summer. Please feel free to to promote or things that you're doing. Uh, because you're you're all over the place over the summer.

SPEAKER_04 33:50

I am. Uh so first off, I get to just rest here in Maryland for two weeks, which is really nice. Then I'm off to Buffalo. I'm really excited about this one. It's like my hometown hockey clinic. So I'm running it with my dad uh at the rink I grew up playing at. So I just there's so much like sentimental, obviously, value there. Um, and I'm just super excited to run it with him. It's something like we've obviously bonded over is hockey and what we still continue to bond over. And so now that we get to like coach together and I, you know, I can be that role model for you know the next generation in Buffalo. And I never had that growing up. Like I never had a female hockey player that I looked up to that came back to the area. So like I kind of get to do that now, and uh not kind of, I do. And um it's I'm really, really excited about it. It's more of like each day is like for a different age group. So I'm all I'm doing it June 24th through the 26th. Um, you know, our middle group is sold out and we kind of keep getting people asking to come in. I've let a few more in just because I'm like, oh, might as well. So hard to say no, right? I can't like you're asking, like, come on. So yeah. And I, you know, I think we had some wiggle room there. I think it'll still be like intimate enough, but um, and we're doing the first days for the oldest age group, which is 15 to 19, but there's not as many 15 to 19 year olds as I thought. So I think I'm opening that up to just some high schoolers in general, like 13 and up. Yeah, uh, because I feel like a lot of girls end up having to play up in age.

SPEAKER_01 35:16

It's true. Uh so I figured that'll work.

SPEAKER_04 35:18

And then the youngest age group is on the last day, and those that's about like five to nine range. So I'm super excited about those. Um, just really excited to kind of just give back. We're gonna do a mentorship talk kind of beforehand, little meet and greet photos. Um, and obviously they can hold the medal and things like that. And then from there, we'll do a little workout. Uh, they're gonna get their own set of beast bands like from Nick and run through a workout, and then we'll be on ice for about an hour and a half. And then the part I'm really excited about is the family fun skate at the end. So for like 20 minutes on the ice, they can bring, you know, a sibling, a mom, a dad, like, and they can come on the ice with them and we can we'll play a game, take photos, things like that. Uh, because I really wanted everyone to kind of have that little family connection piece at the end. Uh, I was a little nervous about rolling that out, but honestly, almost everyone has put in a person to come on the ice with them. Like very few knows a lot of like brothers coming out on the ice, which is really cool. Right. And then like a lot of dads and moms. So it's I'm pretty pumped about that piece. It's really cool.

SPEAKER_05 36:21

I'm excited about that too, because you know, so many times we go to these clinics and and it's all drills and nothing, you know, right? It's all work, work, work. It's nice to be able to take a moment and say, you know what? Family is more than just hockey and drills and skating and or hockey rather, but it's also part of your family life too. So you're reinforcing that message, which I love. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 36:45

Yeah, great, great time to reiterate that the show's name is Our Kids Play Hockey. Our kids play hockey.

SPEAKER_05 36:50

Our kids.

SPEAKER_03 36:52

Yeah, you know, it's true hockey ambassadorship, which you're doing. Yeah, these are choices, right? And I and I love that. Um, listen, we've got a couple minutes left, and that there's two things I want to cover real quick. One is like any great movie, it's gotta have a sequel.

SPEAKER_05 37:06

So hey, who's gonna play Haley in the movie? I want to tell you.

SPEAKER_03 37:12

This is the last episode of the the 25-26 edition. There will be, by the way, everybody, a 26-27 edition. That's what we're planning to do. But to lead towards that, Haley. Uh, PWHL is having a very interesting off-season. Four-team expansion. Uh, I think we're all a little confused or or have question marks over how that expansion is going to work. It's not as simple as just an expansion draft. There is the actual draft, there is free agency, there may be a draft. Just want your broad thoughts on that right now, uh, about where your league is heading into the next season.

SPEAKER_04 37:45

I mean, I think it's super exciting. We're obviously pumped that we're expanding to four more teams. I think it'll probably be the last for a bit, which is nice. Um, and right now they're kind of just in the phase where the expansion teams can start their first five signings. Um, so they can talk to anyone that's on their negotiation list that they have to submit. Uh, I think they had to submit it yesterday, actually. And it just goes June 5th, just so we have um so yeah, so it'll, you know, we'll go from there and see what happens. I think a lot of it we'll kind of see as it goes. I think it's kind of hard to know what exactly it'll look like without just going through the process because so much of it is just kind of written out. Um, and then if they don't get the five people by the end of this phase, then they what they'll do is a selection process where they all are able to pick who they want based on the list they've already submitted.

SPEAKER_03 38:37

Right.

SPEAKER_04 38:38

Um, so that's where we're at now, and we'll see how it goes.

SPEAKER_03 38:41

Yeah, it's gonna be a crazy off season, and that is probably where we will start the next day in the live series. Once all of the dust has settled on that, yeah. Uh, we'll we'll start talking to Haley about what the 26-27 kind of season looks like without an Olympics, which is gonna be interesting, right? We'll be able to focus on the PWHL the whole time. Um, I want to end this episode on this, Haley. You know, when we started having you on the show, trophy case uh was a little different. All right, and I want to say this uh over the past year, literally this year, uh you have added a gold medal, a PWHL uh Walter Cup championship, and I want to congratulate you because there's one more added to the list in the Bob Johnson Award from USA Hockey, which they have awarded to the men's national team, the women's national team, and our sled hockey national team, all who won gold uh in the Olympics. Um, and you are part of that that group. Uh so congratulations on that. Uh, I mean, just a nice, you know, I don't want to call it the cherry on top because it's a pretty substantial award, but yeah, but but a nice cap off. Uh to honestly, a career year for you. I mean, amazing stuff. I mean, are there any ways to put this into words for it? It's it's just an amazing experience all around. No, there's really not.

SPEAKER_04 39:57

It's it's you know, two of the highest goals, you know, I've ever dreamed of achieving. And uh the fact that I've done it in the same year is pretty remarkable and incredible, and the only person to do so, which is also wild. Um so very honored to be a part of that history, and I'm just soaking it all in. It's it's been absolutely amazing.

SPEAKER_05 40:18

Well, I know definitely soak it in, soak it in. And thank you for sharing all these pinch we moments with us.

SPEAKER_03 40:25

Well, I said, I know the audience, Haley, and they're saying, Well, what's what's next? What are you gonna put on the whiteboard next? And you'll have to stay tuned to our kids that are playing to find out the answer to that question. Hello, everybody. We we are going to give Haley a much uh uh uh deserved rest from thinking about things like that. Uh, but the the episodes will continue. But uh Haley, from all of us, Mike, Christy, and myself, uh just just thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey. This has been an amazing inside look uh into your life, into the life of a pro athlete and an Olympian. Um, and I know, and we all know from the the uh feedback we get that a lot of people have learned from this, uh, from your example and will continue through. So thank you for this.

SPEAKER_04 41:07

Yeah, thank you guys. I love it.

SPEAKER_03 41:09

All right, that's gonna do it for this special edition of Our Girls Play Hockey. Remember, you can email us, team at our kidsplayhockey.com, or use the link accompanying this episode in the description to text us. Questions, ideas, episode ideas. If you have a question for Haley, send it over. We'll get to it. Uh, but that's gonna end the episode here. Everybody, thank you so much for listening this season, and we will see you next time on our girls play hockey. 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're listening, whether it's a podcast network, a social media network, or our website, our kidsplayhockey.com. Also, make sure to check out our children's book, When Hockey Stops, at When Hockey Stops.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.