The Unique Journey To Success: How To Be A Pro Women's Hockey Player-Episode 14 w/ Mallory Souliotis

I'm not saying it should be— hitting should be a part of men's hockey. I'm not saying it should or shouldn't, but I'm questioning how you as a women's hockey player feels about that.

I think— and so there's probably two parts to this one. I think it should be— we should have hitting in women's hockey. I think it would make for a more dynamic game. I also think it would be more entertaining. And knowing that at the level I am now currently at, I'm technically, you know, working for a business. And if we're trying to get more people to watch or more people to come to games or invest or whatever, we want a more attractive product. So I think personally for our league, we should add checking.

Hey everybody, welcome to a new episode of The Mental Advantage. We have Mallory Soliotis, defender from the NHL Boston Pride, recent champions. We're going to find more about her story. But first and foremost, hi, Mallory, how are you?

Hi, Brynn, how are you? I'm so happy to be here chatting with you on like video. We're so used to talking on audio. So this is awesome.

Yes, yes. And I don't know if you are detecting, I did say Boston, right? So she's got a little bit of that East East Coast accent going on. I'm on the West Coast, but I love that. I fashion myself a bit of a, you know, an accent aficionado, but I'm not going to do it. So, so tell me, Mallory, I want to know, because obviously first, you know, being a women's hockey player is pioneering in some aspect, but I mean, we're going to get into the history of that. But first, I want to know about you and your beginnings. Was hockey the first sport for you, or was it something else?

Yeah, I actually started learning to skate when, like, right before I turned 3 years old. So, you know, kids were like running, walking, starting soccer, and I was like, get me on the ice. So it's actually a funny story. My older brother was learning to skate and, you know, starting that journey. He's 3 years older than me, so it was like a pretty good distance between us, just age-wise, and getting dragged along as the younger sibling. And I was like, I want to do that. I want to do what he's doing. And then I want to be better than him. I was, you know, this is a very common thing for me. You'll find that I'm very competitive. So my mom, who didn't do hockey at all growing up, took me over to like the figure skating rink where they had a team practicing and they were wearing like the pretty dresses, whatever. And basically the coach kicked us out because it wasn't a public practice. And my mom being like, stubborn, sassy woman she is, just turns and goes, well, when my daughter signs up to learn to skate, you'll find her on that rink with all the boys. And was just like super accomplished. And so like, she was like, yeah, I showed her. Um, meanwhile, the lady probably didn't really care. Um, but yeah, my dad grew up playing hockey, so that's how we kind of started getting into it. I started learning to skate, but I also did soccer, um, because Baseball, a little bit of gymnastics. I was terrible. That did not last long. There's only a few pictures out there of that. No one needs to go there. What else? I did— like, I've done a little bit of golf. I was on the swim team at one point. Hated that. Not fun. Who does that? Yeah, I did a lot of sports. I think my parents really liked having us kids be busy. Um, and most of the time my dad was like, stay out of trouble. Just, you know, not that we were in a, an area or a town or in a situation where that was common, um, or what you'd find in other cities. Um, we were in a very small town, a really good academic, um, town, so it wasn't something really to worry about. But my dad was always, you know, being the overprotective dad We love him, but yeah, that's how I got into all the sports. I loved— hockey and soccer were my two main sports growing up, um, and I did them both pretty seriously through high school. Okay, but I always knew hockey was my favorite. It was always my favorite, but I recognized that, you know, you don't want to get burnt out. Like, hockey is almost like a full year-round sport, and I look at the kids now growing up, and I'm like, parents, get, get your kids at, you know, soccer. I don't care if they're terrible, like, get them at soccer, go to lacrosse, do basketball, I don't care, like, do other sports because you don't want someone to like just fall out of love with hockey just because they're doing it too much. So it was important for, you know, to have these other friends and learn because you can learn so much more from other sports too. Um, like soccer. I mean, I don't— I never really loved soccer, but I thought it was like fun, you know, running around and like hitting people. Like, all right, sign me up.

All right, so we had to relocate, uh, because we had a little bit of a sound issue, but it's all good. We're gonna pick back up. So you said that, um, you played soccer, and you also spoke a little bit in your beginning about like being a multi-sport athlete. So you knew I love how like your brother, first of all, I love the story about you talking about your mom because my question is, I wonder if that figure skater guy is like, you know, open to you being there if we're talking to Mallory the figure skater today instead of the hockey player. Do you know what I mean? I'm not saying that's true, but I do wonder. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, who knows? What if? What if we weren't kicked out of the practice? Who knows? Like, what if I was, you know, a star figure skater? I don't know. I think growing up for me, I was a super tomboy. I wore a lot of my brother's clothes, like didn't like pink, didn't like doing my nails, like didn't like wearing like the glitter paint, like very tomboyish. So I kind of, and a lot of my friends growing up were boys.

Oh, okay.

I think, I think I, For me, it was a no-brainer. Let's go hang out with my friends and do this sport. Like, cool.

Yeah, it all happens for a reason. Okay, so you pick up hockey and, well, you start learning how to skate, and it's born out of this older sibling sort of rivalry and competitiveness, which I love. But tell me a little bit about, like, so you said you did soccer all the way up through high school. So when, you know, like, and what is the season for hockey roughly?

Yeah, um, most hockey seasons go from about September, mid-September, usually starting around Labor Day. Yeah, ish. Um, usually through March, roughly. So like, and then over the summer you'll do like camps and all that stuff.

Okay.

Um, and then soccer was like a fall, and I did it usually in the fall and the spring. So fall was, you know, September through the snow, whenever that came. Yeah. And then picked right back up in probably like April or so.

Okay. So when you are doing both sports, where did you notice that your, your skills from soccer were sort of helping you in hockey or vice versa?

I think for hockey, I just had really strong legs just from skating. So that helped in soccer. You know, you're running, you're kicking the ball. I always could kick pretty hard. That and then, but like cardio-wise, they both kind of helped each other out. You know, I was always on the ice with hockey. You know, I was in shape. So by the time soccer season would come, I was pretty much fit and ready to go. And then I think soccer helped a lot with my like foot skills and a little bit of like depth perception down there, just because in hockey, you know, sometimes the puck ends up in your feet or, you know, you don't get a pass right on your stick, so you have to like— so I was like more comfortable with like the puck at my feet just because I was used to it with soccer. So I think it was, it was that aspect. And I think, um, adding in the fact that in soccer, like, you're on a team, like, you're working together, maybe I had a different role my team in soccer than I did in hockey. And I think that just made me a more well-rounded teammate, I think.

Oh, okay. So you were more forward or offensive player in, in, in soccer? I know that you kind of have to play.

Yeah, yeah. And I wasn't, you know, I wasn't typically the best person on my soccer team either. So that was, you know, just learning that type of role as a teammate was, was more, you know, it challenged me and And then, you know, help me make who I am.

Okay, so I want to know, like, because, you know, I'm thinking about it, and when I was growing up, I'm from Chicago, and we definitely had, uh, you know, we have the Blackhawks there, and it's, it kind of is a hockey town. But because I wasn't into hockey, I wouldn't say I grew up like watching a lot of Blackhawks games or anything like that. But I would be totally ignorant to the fact of when women's or, or girls had hockey teams. So tell me a little bit about like you know, you saw your brother, you wanted to do it. Was there always a hockey team for you to be a part of or did you have to play with the boys until they created one?

Yeah, actually growing up, I was one of the few girls in our team, in our program, our town, our town had a program. So, and that was inclusive to all boys and girls. So it was primarily boys just because the sport itself is primarily male. I would, at least growing up, it's becoming a lot more even now, which is awesome to see. Like, just the strict, like, increase in girls playing hockey is just awesome to see. And I love seeing that and helping, you know, continue to grow that at the lower levels and learning to skate and like playing hockey. So I grew up playing with mostly boys and for my later years playing with the boys.

So here's the fun thing about recording podcasts. Things happen. And you know what, I'm going to keep it in because this is what it's about, the mental advantage. Both me and Mallory are having to practice extreme patience right now because we're having some connectivity issues, but it's okay. So really quickly, go back to, I think that you were about to say that my team was mostly boys and then we kind of lost you. So take it from there.

All right. So my team was mostly boys. I grew up playing with almost all boys. I was maybe the only— if not, there was maybe 2 girls total on the team of, you know, 16 players. Um, and we would play against teams, and every once in a while there would be like one girl on the team, but it was— it like— I was well known as like, oh, that's the girl on the team. Like, it was like if you played other teams and stuff like that, it was like, oh, like—

before you go more into that, I want to know, because this is the mental advantage, tell me what that's like. Like, what is the you know, are the, are the young men like automatically accepting of you? Is there some cheering, jeering, and chiding that they're doing with you, or kind of like unwelcome? Tell me a little bit about what mentally, you know, you may have had to go through, or how that may, you know, helped you.

Yeah, I think my team was awesome. They were super welcoming and accepting. They really treated me as you know, one of the boys at that point. Like, they didn't treat me any specially. Like, they didn't, you know, give me any special treatment. My dad was one of the coaches, so that also helped in making sure that I was respected and that no one was saying anything. And as I said, like, I was typically one of the better players on the team, like, regardless of gender. So that also, like, helped that respectful thing. And every once in a while you, you'd play someone, play another team, and, and you hear like, oh, like, because eventually we got to like hitting in hockey. Um, and obviously as a girl, like, you grow a lot later, you're not as strong just like biologically. Right. Um, and I was— I'm not a big person, I'm very— I'm on the like shorter end of the average female. Um, so I was small. Um, and a lot of the boys on other teams would like kind of like gun for me to try and like hit me. Um, and you know, a couple of times, you know, they get me good or whatever, but my team was always really great at like standing up for me. Like one of them would come and like cross-check them in the face or, you know, like just be like, they would, they would protect me like, like an older brother, honestly. Um, so that was— it was good. I mean, at the time I, I was like, yep, I'm the only girl, and that's fine with me. Like, it wasn't something that was a big deal, um, most of the time.

And, you know, soccer before was, I'm assuming, primarily young women. What did you notice? I mean, besides the young men being— and I'm so glad they were protective of you because I've heard stories of how teams do that like each other, particularly in hockey, because of the physical nature of the sport. But how did you feel like— like, obviously maybe you didn't know the difference because that's all you knew, but because you came from an all-female sport, what would you say, like, you know, like working with young men, you know, like how that helped you develop as a player?

Yeah, so funny enough, I also played on an all-girls team at the same time I was playing on this Mostly boys. Oh, I had at a time, from several years, I was playing on two different hockey teams, and then, you know, soccer was out of season too. Um, but what I found is on my girls team, there was one girl that I played on both teams with, and so like we were really close because, you know, like we were always together at that point, just at practice and games, and we were the only girls on the team. So a lot of the times the coaches would put us together because like we'd have more— we'd have— I found that like we had more— I had more fun personally on a girls team just because, um, you know, you're all girls. It's like easier, you can talk about like cuties and, and boys and whatever. But in the, um, in like a boys locker room, at one point it gets to like them wanting to talk about girls and it can get like— I don't want to say awkward or uncomfortable, but it's just like they just don't talk about it because you're there. Right. So I would say I was a lot closer and I had a lot more fun on my girls team, but on the boys team, they really taught me a lot and just how to play smart, you know, how to not set my teammates up to get hit by somebody, but also like learning for myself, like when to expect to get hit. Not that it's a part of the women's game now. It just, it helps, helped me become a better hockey player. So there were definitely benefits to both.

So they, so they coach men and women's hockey different is what you're saying?

So at a certain age in boys hockey, they allow checking where you can just hit somebody instead of like playing the puck. It's kind of okay.

Um, and so I can put you up against the wall— for those that don't know, like if you have never watched hockey, I can put you up against the wall to, to make it so that Mallory can come and get the puck, for example.

Yeah, you can take the body and someone else can come get the puck, versus in women's hockey you have to play the puck, and if you like get in the way then and you hit someone, it's like, yeah, it's, it's very—

how do you feel about that? Do you feel like the rules should be different? I'm just asking because this is interesting to me that it is— I'm not saying it should be— hitting should be a part of men's hockey. I'm not saying it It should or shouldn't, but I'm questioning how you as a women's hockey player feels about that.

I think— and so there's probably two parts to this one. I think it should be— we should have hitting in women's hockey. I think it would make for a more dynamic game. I also think it would be more entertaining. And knowing that at the level I am now currently at, I'm technically, you know, working for a business, and if we're trying to get more people to watch or more people to come to games or invest or whatever, we want a more attractive product. So I think personally for our league, we should add checking. I think, you know, it's— I mean, and if you watch, um, even college hockey games or at the professional level Olympic games or, you know, USA versus Canada games for the national teams, they are very, very physical games. Like, it's, it's borderline. It's just borderline checking at that point. So I think, I mean, we're so close to like already being there, I think, you know, why not just do it? Yeah.

Okay, so you, you're on two different hockey teams, um, you're progressing through— I'm assuming this is high school with these two teams, or when does this start?

Right before it started, when I was probably— I started playing with all girls when I was 8. Okay, like pretty early on I got into this girls team, um, and was playing on both of them. And I played with, um, the girls team and I played soccer through— well, I played with the girls team through high school. I played soccer and then I kind of just played JV in high school because it wasn't really my number one sport. I was like kind of like, yeah, um, so yeah, that was— and I went to private school, so I played for my high school teams, um, during those seasons.

So your team had a hockey team that you could play? Yes, my girls hockey team, or it was the same thing inclusive?

It was, it was a girls hockey team, and we would play against other, um, private schools and prep schools in the area. It was, it's actually a very strong program and league, and a lot of girls come from my area, New England, to play college hockey, um, you know. After high school.

So, so you, you mentioned that you weren't, like you said, the best soccer player, um, on your team, and then hockey you were much more gifted at. So when do you remember being sort of introduced to the mental game? And like, how that— did that— was that more of a thing in hockey for you, or was it just kind of like, you know, either way you felt yourself— you— I mean, because I know it's present in both, but I'm just curious on like, you know, how you maybe navigated both. Or differently?

Yeah, um, I don't— I never really took soccer too seriously. Um, I just kind of like played and had fun and enjoyed myself. Um, you know, and for hockey, I mean, the mental game, I never really— I mean, you talk about like sports psychologists or, um, you know, mental coaches, life coaches, all that, you know, that like bucket. Um, I never really had heard of that until I got to college. And we had someone come in, it must've been my freshman, end of my freshman year of college. And he came in and I honestly forget his name. He was like souped up on like 8 Red Bulls, I swear. Super high energy. And I was like, whoa. Okay. Yeah. I was like, okay, wow. Okay, we're doing this. But yeah, that's when I was first really introduced to it. And then we, through my college years, we had a sports psychologist, a female former college athlete sports psychologist working with our team. And she was great because she would, you know, you could set up a one-on-one with her and she was very available and I think being a female is always super helpful, at least for other females. I think we think differently than men a lot of times. And then having her be a former athlete is super helpful too. Like, she knows what we've been through to get to this point and what we're going through on a daily basis and like what stress and anxiety surrounds like performance and stuff like that.

Well, I didn't, I didn't know anything about sports psychology either. You know, I ran track. All that stuff all the way up through college. But I'm curious as to looking back, right, like what, what, you know, maybe your dad gave you a speech, or maybe, or maybe you weren't very good at managing the mental game even if you were a high performer, if that makes sense. So in hindsight, like, yes, understand a sports psychologist, but, you know, because not all of us obviously have get introduced through that way, right? Sports psychology is definitely not something that is as present in the youth sports arena. But where Um, what do you remember about like, you know, kind of your mental toughness or lack thereof either way?

Um, I think, um, I started really thinking, I think in high school, our high school girls team would do like a period of like visualization before games. And it was, you know, the captain would shout, you know, visualize, and everyone would go, you know, turn music off, everyone go quiet, and just everyone kind of do their own thing for, you know, 30 seconds, a minute, whatever you needed. For me, I had, I had this video that I liked because it kind of like got me in the zone and, and it just kind of like grounded me. It was, it's, it's like the, it's the Nike commercial that's super old. You've probably— and there's a speech, oh my God, why do I not remember it? But you could probably look it up. Um, but it's got, you know, different, different video clips of, you know, big sports moments. Um, and I don't know, for me it just kind of like got me hyped up and like focused and excited to play, and rather than like nervous about failing. Got it. So I liked, I like doing that. Um, and then, you know, saying a quick prayer or whatever. And then, and then get after it really.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So you're playing in high school and all the way up through, and obviously spoiler alert, you already told us you played in college, which I would imagine given where you're at now. But I want to know what was the high school career? Was there a state championship? What was the biggest or the peak moment of your high school career?

Yeah, oh, peak moment.

Um, no pressure, it could just be, you know, like you guys finished, you know.

Yeah, so we— in my 4 years there, we won our league title all 4 years, regular season.

Okay.

And then at the end of the year, there's, um, a tournament, and that doesn't just include our league, it's our league plus others, and it basically takes the top 8 teams and, and they do a tournament for the best Division 1 and Division 2, like, prep school teams. And I was fortunate and lucky enough that my team was— played in the finals all 4 years that I was there. And we won twice and lost twice, um, which was— I think, you know, losing my senior year was pretty heartbreaking, um, because it was, you know, my last game for my school. And it's to end on a loss. I mean, not many teams actually get to end a season on a win. Think about it. Think about all the March Madness teams, right? 64 teams, all like 63 end on a loss and one like— so I mean, that, I mean, that was obviously disappointing. Um, and but I had a very, very successful team in high school. We lost maybe a total of like 7 games in my 4 years. And just, just like absurd, the number of talented girls that came through that program. A lot played Division I, a lot played— some play with me now at the professional level, which is crazy. Um, some played in the Olympics. Like, just a very— yeah, a very, very talented team. Yeah.

And an environment that obviously nurtures this sport because Right. So you, you said that ending. First of all, I love that you said that about like not many teams, because I think Adia Barnes said that at the end of like, she's like, you know, like you do this whole tournament, you have all these games in the brackets, and then like only one team goes home happy. And I was like, that's such an interesting perspective that literally we're not satisfied if we don't win a national championship. And so, which, you know, I have my thoughts about that.

Look at UCLA and what they did on the men's side and you're like, I'm right.

I mean, you like, yeah, when you don't go as far as you thought, like you get further than what people thought and yet it's still like, but we didn't win a national. I just, I'm not sure that that's the mentality that I would want them to leave with. Like, hey, you know, I mean, I know it's not like, hey, it's good enough.

We're—

nobody expected us to be here. I understand that the other side of that, but yeah, so as someone who did go through that, not and, you know, and we'll get to the higher levels of where you played sport, but how does Mallory— and this is, you know, just from your own experience— how does Mallory process a loss versus a win considering you only had about 7 of them leading up into your higher-level career?

Yeah, so what's very interesting is my high school and my club girls hockey career were both very, very successful as, as a team and, and personally. Family. Um, and you go to college and it's pretty much polar opposite. And my parents were a little worried about how I was going to be handling it. I was going to Yale. They were not a good program, um, just strictly hockey-wise. And, um, they were like— I, and I knew that going in. It wasn't something that I was like, right, like I knew, you know. So Growing up, I obviously, I didn't lose a lot. Um, I lost in the national championship for club girls hockey with my girls team. I lost twice in the national championship and I won two others.

Okay.

So I know, I know peak success, but I also know being that close and just not getting it, and that stinks. Right. Um, and I think for me, processing a loss, I usually pretty emotionally upset at first. Just because I feel like there's always something I could have done better, something I could have or should have done or shouldn't have done, or just like, and maybe it was a physical mistake or maybe it was a mental mistake. I don't know. So I usually spend a lot, like first 24 hours is usually like, what happened? And then after that, I'm like, all right, like we learn from it. And we don't do it again. You know, I don't want to dwell on the past. I can't fix it. I can't change it. I don't have a Time Turner. Like it's, it's done. Like there's only so much you can do with that. So you kind of, you know, refocus, move on, learn from it, but also kind of take that like motivation and that like that, um, you know, sadness to kind of propel you to the next, you know, whatever's next. So I think that's something I, um, really take to heart. And then Even off a win, it's like, that's great. That's awesome. We did some good things. We did some things we can improve on. Um, well, you know, next day we have to show up and do it again. The other team's not going to just roll over and give it to us. Um, so I think it's something always continuing to prove yourself day in and day out.

I think that's really valuable that you highlighted that. Cause I think a lot of times we have a tendency to learn from our losses or evaluate or examine our losses, but often we sort of gloss over what happened in the game when you win. And I always think of, you know, John Wooden saying, you know, you can play your best and lose, and you can, yeah, worst and win. So it's like, it's not just the scoreboard, it's, you know, what actually happened out there. Um, so you said— I see, when I was talking about high school, I was definitely talking about your club experience as well. So there was a national championship. How many teams are involved in that? Is that only East Coast? I mean, I know national means across the country, but does California have a hockey team? Like, you know, tell me about that.

Yeah. So California does have a hockey team.

Okay.

Um, they have the Anaheim Lady Ducks and as well as, um, they have another one, um, Cali— like California Crush or something. They're an orange colored team.

Okay.

We didn't play them very often. But basically you had to win your state championship or your regional championship to get invited. And I believe it was, I believe it was, how many teams are involved? I think it's 16 teams get invited at each age level. And then you do a 3-game round robin, quarters, semis, finals. Um, so I was, you know, playing with this same club team. We, like, I hardly ever lost with this team. Um, and a lot of us kind of grew up through the program from U10 all the way up to U19. Yeah. So, you know, a lot of us had lost together, a lot of us had won together. Um, but we— and so we understood, you know, what it takes to get to that moment. Um, so yeah, there was a lot— I had a lot of success younger as a kid, and um, you know, really incredible experiences that, you know, any teenager would, would just love to have. I look at my sister now, my sister's, you know, finishing high school. She never got to play, um, in a national championship game. Yeah. Let alone I played in 4. Like, that's crazy.

Yeah. Um, so now you did— you said you, you never won in the national championship, so you know what it's like to get that close, those inches. Um, what is your most memorable moment in a national championship game, if you have one?

I do. So, um, so obviously like playing 4, I won when I was 12, I won when I was 18, I lost when I was 14 and 16. Okay. And, um, my actually like favorite memory was actually from when I was 16 and we ended up losing um, but it was in the national championship game. It was 1-1, um, and we had a power play, so we had 5 people on the ice and they could only have 4, so we had a man advantage. And basically— and I played defense, so I'm like, all right, I'm playing defense. Our coach comes down the line, is like, you're gonna go play forward next shift. And I was like, I'm sorry, what? I'm like, that's not a normal thing to do, right? Hockey, that's a very weird thing, right? Like, uh, okay, sure. Um, and literally off the face-off, puck comes to me, I like pretend I'm gonna go this way, go come back, and I just put one in the top corner. Like, probably had my eyes closed, but I was— and I was just like, you know, whatever. And basically, I was— it was just— I was so excited. It was awesome. It was, you know, I had scored a goal in like, at that point, the biggest game of my life. And the most important at that moment, it was, it was awesome to put my team ahead 2 to 1. Unfortunately, we ended up losing 3 to 2, but still having like relishing that moment was, was pretty awesome. Although it was eventually pretty sad at the end of the day.

But that doesn't mean, right. And so then we, you know, like, I'm glad that that's still a positive that you have because A lot of times it's kind of like, yes, I mean, the overall— it's sort of like what I saw with Arizona in this particular year's tournament. It's like, yeah, we didn't get the outcome we wanted, or even with UCLA, but it's like, hello, like, that's a pretty amazing feat that happened along the way. And I think we need to celebrate those small wins or those wins, even though the overall outcome isn't what we wanted. And is it— it's, it's rare, obviously, like you said, for a defender to play offense. And I know that the— there is some thought in sports that have those sort of roles that are relegated to that. That is very also rare for a defender to score. Yeah, this is obviously going to be a highlight because, you know, the, the offense always gets all the—

growing up, I wasn't a big goal scorer. I liked, you know, to pass to someone or make a good play and somebody else scored. But yeah, yeah, I wasn't, I wasn't a goal— I wasn't the goal scorer. I wasn't a big goal scorer. It's not what I was known for. So like having that moment at that time, like it was, it was, it was awesome. My mom was like screaming in the stands. It was, it was great.

I bet. Okay, so I love that you remember that. Okay, so now you're— you said you decided to— so was there other— okay, so again, totally not familiar with the women's hockey, like, you know, the, the professionalness of it or the college level. Are you being recruited since you're having such a successful jaunt with sports? Is there a school that you're turning down that has a better hockey program because you want to do this academic amazing Yale? Because I'm assuming that that was one of the reasons you chose Yale. Um, but yeah, tell me a little bit about that journey from Okay, I'm done with high school. It looks like I'm going to go to college. Are people recruiting you or are you just, you know, like, hey, I'm going to go to Yale because it's Yale?

Yeah. Yeah. Recruiting is pretty crazy, honestly. And it's changed a lot since, even since my time, just knowing my sister, she's 6 years younger. She was just undecided between lacrosse and hockey. So she was kind of going through both.

Yeah.

So very interesting process. But, you know, I knew I wanted to play college hockey, like, and I knew that was my goal. I wanted to play college hockey. I want to play Division I college hockey. And I wanted to get a really good education because at the time when I'm— this is my goal, there was no professional hockey. There was no way for me to make a million dollars playing hockey.

You know, that's what I was thinking. I was like, was it? Yeah, it wasn't around.

So I was like, all right, I'll play 4 years of college hockey. It'd be awesome. I'll get a really good education and I can use that education for my career. Um, so I was always a very good student. My parents always emphasized school comes first. If you don't have good grades, um, school— your work's not done, you know. No parties, no sleepovers, no, um, playdates, no, no extracurriculars outside of school. Like, you'd miss practice if your work wasn't done. Yeah. So they always emphasize, like, do good in school because it can open doors. If you're doing well in school and you do well on SATs and ACTs and all that. So my, my junior year of high school is when like a lot of the heavily recruiting for hockey took place. And I had toured a bunch of schools with my mom, just, you know, making sure I saw the campuses mostly in the New England area. I saw most of the Ivy League schools. Okay. Um, cause I knew that was a possibility just because the high school I was at is a very good academic, um, program as well as my grades were good. And I had taken, um, SAT and ACT, um, previously and had done like decent enough, like room for improvement, but like decent enough that I could probably, um, secure a spot with with a school. So that process happened and emailing with coaches and kind of seeing, you know, do you need a defenseman? Are you in need of like, or do you want me? Um, and trying to figure out what kind of school I wanted to go to, you know, location, um, academic-wise. I knew I wanted to do, um, engineering and biology type stuff. So that kind of helped me, um, with the like academic curriculum and figuring that out, right? So I had a couple offers. Um, I was like, I, I eventually got down to, to Brown University, Yale, and a school called RPI, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which is an engineering school. My older brother actually was at the school at the time, so that would have been kind of fun. Um, maybe a little weird, but, um, but basically, you know, my parents, we sat down, we're like, you know, why are we paying for you to go to private school? Like, what, like, what, what's the goal? What was the point? The point was for me to get a really good high school education so that I could use that to go to a really good college, to get a really good education, to get a really good job. And so, and obviously You know, Brown and Yale, there were no athletic scholarships. So my parents were like, oh boy, you know, this is what we're in for. But, you know, we want to do everything we can for our daughter to be successful and happy. So they're like, if that's where you want to go, we'll make it work. Um, RPI was going to be a full athletic scholarship. Um, not as great a hockey program as Yale. Yale was like slightly above the other two. But I, again, it was all about the academia. So that's when basically I'd heard from, you know, the Yale coaches that they wanted me. And I'd heard from the other two schools as well. And basically when I decided, I called the Yale coach who had been, you know, contacting me and recruiting me. And I was like, I think I wanna go. Like, I want that spot. And I literally just started like happy tears just because it was like, oh my God, this whole process is over. All the time and sacrifices that it's like, it was like, it was done. It was crazy. And then obviously had to call the other two and be like, sorry. But I was just so excited to like really just look forward to Yale. It's an incredible, as we know, it's an incredible academic school and it would open a lot of doors for me just network-wise, um, that I'm just really grateful for that opportunity to go to such an incredible school.

So interesting that, because I've, I've had a former, uh, hockey player, a female hockey player on here, but not, uh, you know, the professional level, but very interesting that both of you chose Ivy League schools. Um, but maybe that's how it works in hockey because of the— and then I know the East Coast, obviously it's a little bit different culture as far as that's concerned.

Yeah.

Um, so you're, you're gonna go to Yale, and I love that. Like, um, I've heard that the recruiting process is like almost like a proposal and like dating because it's like, it's, it's like weird.

You're like, um, yeah, I really loved your school, like 'What do you think?' And it's like, 'Oh yeah,' like it's a very wishy-washy process. And it's— you're like, 'Are we dating? Are we, are we married? Like, did I get ghosted?' Right, exactly.

Nice.

Honestly, you're, you're spot on with that comparison. I never thought about that, but that's actually what it is. You're like, 'Oh, do they like me?

I don't know.' I'm glad that it worked out. So you, you're, you're a Yale Bulldog, am I correct on that?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, so, um, it's obviously, as you said, academically it is a great school, is Ivy League. I mean, that goes without saying, but rigorous as far as the academic, you know, um, draws on you. So when you are doing, um, sport as well, talk to me about how you balance that and like how that, you know, like what are some of the challenges that you faced?

Yeah, balancing work and school, well, homework and hockey was, was pretty challenging. I think I got a really good introduction to that in high school because my high school was very rigorous and I lived 40 minutes away from the school. So I spent a lot of time driving or getting a ride and, you know, going to school and back that I had so little free time. Free time in between. You know, I'd do school, I'd go to practice, I'd drive, get home, clean up, dinner, and it would probably be, you know, 7:30 and I have to do and start all my homework.

Wow.

So a lot of late nights. And I often say that my high school was harder than Yale just because I had less time to do more, like more work. You know, I was taking 5 classes, you know, like a normal high school student. And then once I got to college, classes weren't as consistent. They weren't an everyday thing. So I had a lot more time to get all that work done. And yes, like the hockey commitment was a lot higher in college, but it would kind of like give and took. So I had, I just had a lot more time to get my work done in college. And because I was so prepared at balancing like, you know, I don't want to do 6 hours straight of studying. I'm going to do 2 and then get some food and take a break or do something else, you know, do, do another 2. You know, I was very accustomed to that and to that balance. Um, and a lot of college was go to class, go to practice and lift, you know, clean up, get team dinner, and then do homework. So it was a very broken up day. Um, I really liked that in college that, you know, I wasn't doing school all day long and then homework all night long. It was very much— hockey was a really welcome, you know, intermission to that.

And you chose to commute, so you didn't stay on campus?

In, in high school I was— in high school I commuted. In college I was on campus.

Oh, okay, sorry, I got confused. You were saying— okay, got it. I was like, oh, because you're like—

so just because I had so much less time in high school, I was driving.

Ah, now I'm okay. So I was confused. I was like, wait, but you were a commuter student in college. Okay, got it, got it, got it. Okay, so you're on campus. Do you remember, like, I mean, did you already know that Yale was, I mean, you kind of said that you knew, but like, did you already know that Yale wasn't gonna be the win palooza that high school was, or were you like hopeful? That it was going to change, or they were, you know, like, you, you were going to be the player that was going to turn it around?

Yeah, I think in my head I was like, oh, I can— I think I can really contribute, make an impact, um, to the team right away. I think it could fit right in, um, with the seniors. And I— it's not that, like, we, we, like, we were under.500, and, you know, and that's so not great. We weren't the worst in the league, but We weren't great, room for improvement. And I, you know, that's— I was like, my class at Yale was a large part of that change to a much better program and culture.

Okay.

So yeah.

Are they better now?

Like, you know, better now? They're, they're just continuing. Well, this year they, they didn't play this year because of COVID but last year they had their best year ever. And it's just It warms my heart just because a lot of those, I think, um, it'll be next year's seniors will be like the freshmen when I was a senior. So like little babies, and just like so proud to see them. Like, like I took it from point A to point B, and they've taken it even, even higher, and they're just continuing to just, you know, push, push the boundaries. And that's just awesome to see, and that's really what it was all about. You know, just playing hockey, um, and enjoying myself a lot. And, you know, yeah.

So who do you, uh, or what, what, what— we're gonna get to the next thing, which I'm super excited about because, you know, there's been some big moments in your life in the recent, uh— but what would you say, besides obviously getting this amazing world-class education, that Yale contributed to your hockey development?

I'm not sure it contributed a lot to, to my own development. I think my first 2 years we had an assistant coach who I worked with a lot individually doing some skills work or in small groups, and that's really where a lot of my own personal development took place, is working with her and doing, doing the things outside of practice to work on my own game and how I can better contribute to the team, and that was really helpful. And then she eventually took a different position, so she was gone, and I basically, you know, I tried to work as best I could with other coaches on, on, you know, skills and stuff. It wasn't the same, but I think a lot of my own, um, a lot of my hockey development was kind of put on myself at the time to, to take those extra steps and to do that extra work to be a better player, whether it was watching film you know, doing extra skill sessions, like getting in the gym a little bit more, getting an extra lift in, or, or whatever it is, doing extra cardio on the weekends, um, stuff like that. Um, I think— wow, really? Yeah, nice.

That's great. Yeah, I'm sure that helped. Yeah, I mean, like I said, I'm super competitive, so yeah, I was like, yeah, you're—

everybody else is like always trying to do better. I'm always trying to do better from the last year. Like, you know, on ice performance maybe doesn't show on the score sheet, but, um, you know, if I'm putting up points, I'm putting up points. But that's not what it's really about. That's great, but you know, how am I contributing to my team?

I think that's important for athletes and like, you know, people to know that like it's not always about, right, like just the win-loss bracket. So much that isn't on that stat sheet, You know, I was talking to some of my professional athletes and it's like, you can have a great game, but if it's not what they keep track of, you know, it doesn't really register.

So funny you mentioned that because this year, like, there were so many games I didn't have any points, but I played great. And it's just like, that's right. That is what it is. But like, if anyone actually watched the game, they'd be like, oh, she's good. Like, yeah, yeah.

It's, it's, it's so important that people really grasp that, that it's not just always about what what was the end result. There's so many things. And so I love that you had that. I think, you know, like what, what, what every coach wants is a self-directed athlete, an athlete who's that hungry for it, you know, and you just don't find that all the time. And you talked a little bit about your journey with the sports psychologist and all that. So at what point does professional women's hockey become a possibility to you? Like, does it get introduced? 'cause maybe it happens before you get out of college. Tell me a little bit about when you find out and what, you know, how that maybe changes, you know, your plan from I'm just going to college to get a good education, a good job, 'cause there's no upside to hockey for women.

Right. So the NHL actually founded season 1, first year, they were going to pay players, pay women to play hockey. There was another professional league, but they weren't, being paid, um, but we'll just, we'll just ignore that. Yeah, but they started this league, um, when I was a sophomore in college, so I was like, oh cool. And I knew there was a team in Boston and there was a team in Connecticut, which like at Yale, like I knew like our coach, our assistant coach played on the Connecticut team. Um, okay, super cool. And then a team in Buffalo and a team in New Jersey. And so I was like, oh, it's like all New England. Like, oh, cool. And I kind of like watched and saw like the progression over those 3 years while I was in college and seeing it, seeing it really grow, you know, salary-wise, just seeing that grow, you know, drumming up, continuing to drum up more people and more interest and more eyes on the game. And actually, my— the summer before my senior year, they held the NHL draft for the following, like drafted the up-and-coming senior. So what would be my class? And, you know, going into that day, it wasn't like we went somewhere. It wasn't a big deal. It was on Twitter. They literally would post a photo of the player and just be like, and the Boston Pride pick, you know, whoever. Like it was very low-key, like not a big deal. Didn't drum up a lot of media.

Fine.

Um, but I was like, oh, it's happening. Like, I was like, oh, I'd always like— I would love to get picked. I'm not sure if I, I've, you know, done well enough to catch eyes from anyone, but it would be cool. It wasn't something I'm gonna go and cry about. Yeah. Um, and eventually— and I was sitting at a restaurant with my friend, and because we knew it was happening, so we're like, I need, I need like a beer or something. I was like, uh, it's gonna be stressful. Like, as much as you like prepare yourself. You're like, I don't know what's gonna happen.

Did you have to, like, tell them you wanted to, or—

No, no, they just drafted, like, random, like, college players. It was very— yeah, it was, like, very odd. It's okay. It's much more organized now.

Got it.

Um, but basically, all of a sudden, my phone just, like, lights up, just, like, all these things, because they— everyone starts, like, tagging me in Twitter, and I'm like, oh, Oh my God, I literally go, oh my God, I got picked. Wow. Like, what? I was like, and like, it was, it was like that, that moment for me was, you know, it really summed up all my 4 years at Yale, well, 3 at the time, my 3 years at Yale, all that work was seen by someone, like someone saw how good of a player I was, even though my team itself was not very successful. And that I was, you know, someone recognized that and wanted me. And it's always great being wanted. Um, so that was like a really cool moment. And I like FaceTimed my parents because I was away at school. I was like, oh my God, I got picked! And they're like, yeah, we know, we were following, like, hello. Um, but they were like, we're so happy for you, you know. And like, at the time, like, it— there's no like contractual agreements or anything. There's not that being drafted really does. It's a little bit different now just because of the timing.

Yeah.

So going through my senior year, I was trying to get a job, but I always had this hockey possibility in the back of my head. And I had a lot of talks with my mom a lot, and I was like, well, I was like, well, worst case, I go somewhere I can't play hockey. I can play beer league hockey. It'd be fun. Enjoy myself, whatever. Um, I needed to pick my career based off of what was going to be best for my career, what was going to actually pay me the money, like my job in, in the biotech, pharma, science world, right? Where am I getting a job? And so that— and I was like, all right, like, let's find a job. If it works out, I can play hockey, that's awesome, but I'm not gonna be upset if I have to go to California to work.

Like, it's not—

who wouldn't? It's sunny over there. Um, and basically end up happening is I, I knew I wanted to stay in Boston, and a lot of the jobs in my field are in Boston, New England area. And so once I got a job, I was like, okay, like, maybe I can actually play hockey. And, you know, it ended up working out, and I signed a contract for my first year, and that was, you know, 3 seasons ago, and it's absolutely crazy, like, that it started there and, and now here we are.

So tell me, when you're signing this contract, knowing that this is like the— now it's not the first season of the NWHL at that point, so that would have been my—

the 4th year of the league.

The 4th year of the league. So you're signing the contract, and I mean, obviously, thank you for walking us through when you got like chosen, but it was like, it was still just like a, I don't know what's gonna happen, but now it's official, you're signing this thing. Is it surreal for you? Is it like, how are you feeling?

Um, I think it's, it's funny because everything— I was still, uh, how did it really happen? Well, I had like called the coach and like, um, like had a couple emails back and forth, and I literally— he just emailed me like, or someone in the NHL office like emailed contract. It was very just like, oh, like, oh, that's it. And so I like printed it out, did like a little, like, you know, signature and all that. My mom's like, oh, photos. Um, so, um, so yeah, it was obviously, it was like really exciting. It was like a little bit of like a roller coaster of emotions just because I was like, uh, oh, hello. Like, I was at work and I was like Oh cool, like it was just like out of the blue at that point. Yeah, um, I wasn't sure, and, um, so that was, you know, that was exciting. It was great. And, and every year it's, it's a one-year contract, so I'm always like, you know, am I get— there's no, you know, binding agreement to staying in that city or playing with that team. So do I want to come back? Do I want to keep playing? Because obviously it's, it's a physical toll on, on our bodies, but And as we've discussed, like, it's an emotional and mental toll too. Yeah, it takes a lot. Um, so yeah, I can't believe it's now been 3 seasons.

That's awesome.

Yeah. So tell—

we're gonna get to the championship in just a moment. Tell me about your first game— and not first game, first day with the new team. You're on the professional level of hockey. I understand it doesn't have quite the same feel as the NHL because of how long it's been. And what does it— I mean, and you said that some of the girls played with you, but is it a little intimidating, or are you just kind of like, yeah, this is where I always kind of— I mean, not that you knew because that didn't exist, but like it just felt more of the same?

Yeah, uh, I recognized a lot of the girls just playing against them growing up, playing with them in high school, playing against them, with them in were against them in college. Um, I was, I mean, I was like a baby on this team. Um, oh wow, it was a little intimidated, um, at the time. I mean, I hadn't, you know, I hadn't felt that way since my freshman year of college, so it was like, yeah, I was on top of the world senior year and now I'm like, all right, back to the bottom. Like, right. Um, so, but it was, I had a really great group of, um, you know, veterans and leaders on that team that really, you know, helped take all the rookies under their wings. So there were a bunch of us that year, um, so I wasn't alone. It was kind of like the rookies all kind of like hung out together because we're all, you know, fresh out of college, having fun, whatever. Um, so yeah, I mean, it was— I mean, I was a little intimidated and I didn't know what to expect from the coach. I didn't know what to expect from the season itself. I didn't know what to expect from the team. I was like, I was, you know, very much just like going into it with an open mind. Like, it wasn't, it wasn't a big time commitment, so just kind of went with it, ran with it, and, you know, had fun with it, um, and contributed as best I can.

Okay, so fast forward, um, obviously this is the year of COVID and that has changed and altered sport altogether, but there's a happy ending to this year for you. So when does play start picking up and when do you start realizing like, it looks like we're headed to like, and is this the first time this is happening for you?

So, so we really want to go back to March 2020, see what happened back then over a year ago. So my second full season with the team, um, our team went 23-1. Wow. Yeah, so we went 19-0 before we lost our first game. Um, so really incredible group. Um, I, I don't— like, so many people have asked, like, what, what, like, what was it? Like, I— and I don't know. It was, you know, everyone was there for the right reason. Everyone was selfless, um, with that team. And, um, you know, no one thought we would be that good that year. And I think we kind of thrived on that, and we loved it. We're like, like, no one's talking about us. Like, what, you crazy? Um, we went out there every single game. We went out there and we knew we, we had to win, um, every single game. And we knew no team was just gonna give it to us. Yeah, we really enjoyed just, you know, going out there and just you know, putting 6 goals in on a team. Like, a lot of the games were, were kind of blowouts at one point. Um, at the beginning of the year, my parents like, yeah, game was boring. The final would be like 7-1. I kid you not, it'd be like 7-1. I was like, Mom, I was bored in the second period. I know, just because it was just like, oh, this again. Like, yeah, it's— and it's— but it got, it got better as the season went. So We play our semifinal game, we win, we're going to the finals. It was going to be the next weekend. It was actually going to be on a Friday.

Yeah.

And the infamous day of March 12th, right?

Yeah.

When the NBA shut down and then all the other leagues, you know, right, domino effect. So they, um, postponed our final 24 hours before. And I was like, oh my goodness, like what's going to happen? Um, cause at this time everyone was like, oh, it's just, just coronavirus. Like it's going to be like a 3-week thing, right? Yeah. Yeah, sure. Um, that's funny. Um, so yeah, we were like, okay. I was like, all right, so I'll just like keep training. Like I was still going to work. On site, you know, whatever. And eventually got to the point where it was, you know, June and it was like, all right, we, we, this game's not going to happen. Like, it's not fair to girls to expect them to be in shape and to play one game. So that stunk. And like testing wasn't really a thing yet. So it was, it was just, it just wasn't gonna, it wasn't going to work. And the team had to, was from Minnesota. So they had to fly fly. So it was just— it wasn't in the cards. And that was obviously very disappointing for a team that goes 23-1, is absolutely dominant. Yeah. And to be that close to the Cup. Yeah. And did not even get a chance to compete for it. Like, I didn't play and lose, right? I didn't even get to try. Like, you did. Yeah. No, no, no, no. Like, bye. Like, super disappointing. Um, I think emotionally I never really processed that because they paused it. Yeah, it took months, and like in the back of my head I was like, oh, maybe we'll play. And then it was just like, at that point I was just like, I mentally checked out of the game. And that's, that sunk. Um, and so going into this year, it was, you know, project, you know, unfinished business. 'Cause we were, you know, one game away. And so structuring this year, we did a 2-week bubble in Lake Placid because of everything happening. Lake Placid, site of the 1980 Olympics, USA upsets Soviet Union, Miracle on Ice. I walk in that rink, I went there as a kid when my brother played in a tournament. Actually getting to walk in there, and I was just, just like goosebumps. It's just like, I go, just being in that, you know, iconic place for hockey, a sport that's I've known my whole life, it was just amazing the first time I walked in there. Um, our team didn't start out so hot. Um, we went, we lost our first game, um, we won the second one, and we lost the next two, so we were 1-3. Yeah, one of the teams had to get kicked out because they had a lot of COVID cases on their team, um, so we didn't have to— we didn't play them. Um, so basically, you know, the league scrambled and they set up, you know, we were the, um, 4th seed and we were going to be playing it— or no, 1— yes, we were the 4th seed and we would be playing against the 5th seed we would do a 3-game series to decide who would earn the 4th seed in the semifinal game.

Got it.

And we had not— it's not that we were playing bad. We were playing okay, but we weren't getting any lucky bounces. The hockey gods were like, no, don't let them win. Which everyone in hockey talks about the hockey gods, right?

Yeah, I think it's universal to all sports.

Sports. They just—

yeah, they just say, yeah, the basketball gods. But yes, yeah, yes.

So, you know, and like, we were trying, we were working hard. It wasn't like any— we— I don't know what it was. Like, I can't pin— like, I can't put my finger on it, and no one can. We were just like, we were playing well, just like we weren't putting pucks in the net. Like, we're just not finishing. And that happens, and it's very frustrating because we would, you know, outshoot and out-chance a team completely. We dominate and just like lose, right? 2-1, be like, oh. So we lose game 1 of this 3-game series. Oh no.

So we're like, oh Lord, um, we are 1 game away from not even making the semifinals.

Wow. I don't know what it was, you know, here we are as a team, we're like, all right, well, guess what, it's do or die, it's do or go home. Back against the walls. Like, I score the first goal of this game too, and I'm just like, hallelujah, you know, for my own personal gain and my team. The first goal, and there's a video, and it's— you literally, the caption of it is like, the— and the commentators are like, oh my God, you would have thought they just won the game just scoring the first goal in a game that we had to win. Yeah. And we ended up just winning like 6-0. It was just like, like, we were like, all right, back against the wall. Like, like, who cares? Don't leave anything behind. We have to win. Went out, won. Go into game 3, you know, still gotta win. Series is tied 1-1. Um, and again, our team comes out like a bat out of hell, and we're just like, we just crush them. Like 7-2. Just like, nope, you are not winning. Like, this is our game. Again, backs against the wall, win or go home. We got it. So then, um, and then unfortunately they paused the whole tournament, um, and we have to go home.

Oh no.

Open, you know, most of our team had COVID. Yeah. So it was just like a no-go. Um, so we all go home and I'm like, hmm, are they really gonna like throw this together for 3 games. You know, we just need 2 days, right? I don't know. Um, I quarantined at home, um, and then I started getting on the Peloton bike, you know, trying to get in shape as best I could, um, because I couldn't really get ice time. Eventually we, we got the call that we were going to be having the semifinals and finals, and our team would be the number 4 seed, just like we had earned. Um, and they were just deciding which weekend to do it on, but that, you know, practices would be resuming soon, which was awesome, getting back with the girls and getting back to work as a team towards something that basically we were kind of like, blah, and then we were just speaking going in, you know.

Yeah.

So, and then, you know, we go into semifinals and, you know, it's at home, we're in Boston at our home rink, and we're the away team. It's hysterical. Yeah, like, because we're the fourth seed.

Got it.

And it was just weird because I spent the last 2 years playing, you know, on the home bench at this rink, to only now go on to the other bench. It was just weird. It was just throwing me off. But it was, it was fine. But we went into it, we were super loose, um, just enjoying every moment, you know, doing it for the person sitting next to you. A lot of the girls are not going to be playing hockey, they're retiring after this. So it's like, again, do or die game, win or go home. And we, we played a very good game. Um, I think we went up— we started, we started ahead in that game, and, um, I ended up scoring our team's third goal to make it 3-1, which was— I mean, This game was on NBC Sports. It was on national TV.

That's amazing.

On a Friday night, my mom— I get a text later that night basically saying when I scored, my mom was crying uncontrollably. I was like, why were you crying? Like, what? She was like, I just really wanted you to do well on national TV. Okay. All right. All right. You're cute. But like, honestly, like, biggest goal in my life. A really great moment. I was like, wow, I'm just like riding this high. It was awesome. Our team wins. My goal ended up being the game-winning goal. Really incredible. Like a real like family experience. We're all like, oh my God, we just, we were the number 4 seed. We just beat the number 1 seed. Everyone was like, oh my God, the Toronto team's gonna win. They're so good. Like Boston's like, blah. Yeah. No, no, no, no. Um, just absolutely destroyed them.

So the Canadians don't— aren't better than us in hockey?

So this is the first year of their, of their team in our league, so we'll give them a break this year.

Okay, all right, all right.

But no, super exciting to have another team in the league, um, you know, signs that it's growing. It's awesome.

Absolutely.

Yeah, um, and then going to our final, um, super funny because we end up playing Minnesota who we were going to play the last year when COVID won the Cup. What? It's so funny because in 2020, like, we're supposed to play Minnesota in Boston at our rink.

Wow.

And here we are over a year later, Boston versus Minnesota for the Cup. Yeah, crazy. I was like, I honestly, and as one of the several, you know, returners on the team. That, that's how we wanted it. I was like, give me minutes, I want it. I want to, you know, put a bow tie on last year and, and really just finish it this year. Yeah, so super cool. Um, and I think as a team we went into it, we're really relaxed, having fun, super loose, you know, dancing, being silly in the locker room, and like just, you know, not focusing too much on the game just because you don't want to get too hyper-focused and kind of like, right, yeah, and kind of just like psych yourself out. Um, so I think we had a lot of fun and our coaches were like, guys, you guys play awesome when you have fun. Just have fun. Like, scoring is fun, winning is fun, just go. Um, and of course going down 1-0 like in the first period, I was like, like, uh-oh. Um, I was like, okay, um, well, guess what, like, we we had to score a goal to win the game at some point. So I guess we'll just tie it up and just go home. It's fine. Um, and just as a team, we just like, that's fine, like, we'll, we'll get through it. It's not like they scored with 5 seconds left in the game. Like, we had time. Um, and we just chipped away and, and played so— everyone played so great, you know, playing with a team-first mentality, you know, making those sacrifices blocking shots or, you know, whatever it was. Our goalie played great. Everyone just was, you know, we were all focused on the job at hand. Everyone, you know, knew their role and played their role to the best of their ability. And honestly, the last 19 seconds, they scored and it was 4-3. And for whatever reason, there was like a media timeout. I think they were reviewing to see how much time was left, which is a big deal. And it was just like, this is the longest 20 seconds of my life. I am so close to winning. Like, we're so close. It's right there.

Um, oh, you guys were 4 and they were 3?

Yes, so we were winning 4 to 3.

Okay.

Yeah. Um, and it was just so close. Yeah. Um, and I was like, guys, it's no big deal. Like, we got this. We got this, like, it's fine. And, you know, eventually, you know, I'm sitting on the bench, I'm literally like jumping, like, just like everyone's just like bananas on the bench. Like, oh my God. And we get the puck out and it's, you know, it's becoming reality and our goalie opens the door and we all just like run out and it's just like pandemonium. And it was so exciting. Like all of us, we were so excited just because every single person in the hockey world and, and watching our league, no one thought we were gonna win out of those. Yeah. And to just be like, no, like no one wanted us to win, no one thought we were gonna win, and it was awesome. Um, and it was just an incredible family accomplishment, um, on a year that didn't really go as planned, obviously, but to still end up on top despite all those, you know, all the adversity that we all went through was just incredible.

I love that.

Can we see—

there's a little friend next to you.

Oh, you want to meet Izzy? Yeah.

Yeah.

Can we meet her? She's shy. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if you don't mind. Yeah.

Do you want, you want to meet her?

So that right there is the, uh, NWHL equivalent of— now they don't call it the Stanley Cup, so—

well, this is the Isabelle Cup, and Isabelle, okay, she is the daughter of Lord Stanley. Stanley Cup. There you go, look at that.

So right here, y'all, you're seeing it.

You got it live right here.

That's fantastic. That's fantastic. So when— now, this is not the first Izzy Cup for women's national hockey, but it is the first after COVID. And like you said, I love how the universe brings things full circle. And you talked about, you know, like, people didn't— you know, they were betting against you, they didn't want you to win. There's all these things, right? So as a final kind of end cap to this journey of, you know, playing hockey, doing club, going to Yale, not really having the option, and then getting drafted, having this sort of, you know, moment of signing, but it's not quite the fanfare that the men get— what does this all mean to you?

I think, like, when I finally got you know, my hands on her on the ice after we won. It was just everything, everything was fine in that moment. Everything was perfect. Everything was great. Nothing else mattered. Right. 'Cause all of the hard work, all of the blood, the sweat, the tears, every loss, every win, every painful sore waking up from a workout, everything, like this, this is what it was for. Um, so it was obviously a very incredible moment for me personally, but to see my team do that, you know, having gone what we went through that year and the previous year, for a lot of us it was just, you know, cherry on top. Like, it was, it was an incredible moment. And I think what, what, what's really important as well is that We were on national TV. So many young girls are watching this game and they play hockey, or you look at young boys are watching this game and they can see that women can play professional hockey, women can be paid to play hockey. We're still working and striving towards increasing that salary so that I'm not working a full-time job as well. Yeah, that I can focus all my attention on hockey just like a lot of the other NHL players. Yeah, I'm pretty sure none of them have a 9-to-5 like I do that we know of.

No, I'm just kidding.

I do, I think so. Um, anyway, but just to share that moment with my team, the city of Boston, the city of champions, um And with all the young girls watching back home, I dare them to dream and dream bigger and striving towards that. That's really what it's all about for me. I don't play hockey for the money. I play hockey 'cause I love it. And I love inspiring younger girls to be a pro hockey player like me Or to be a scientist and play pro hockey. You know, go do that. Like I got a message from a mom and it just, you know, some messages like that just melt my heart. Cause I'm like, oh my God, this 8-year-old has no idea what she's in for. But I'm just hoping and building the, you know, our league, continuing to grow it from, you know, the early stages of the league. It's really awesome to be a part of. Such a young league to kind of mold it the way you kind of want it to and, and kind of push it forward and, and really push it across the finish line. So it was— it's really an incredible experience, and it's, it's still been, you know, it's only been, you know, 10 days, and it's still absolutely crazy. Um, it didn't seem real for a long time.

I bet, I bet it is probably very surreal when you've work for something for so long, it didn't even exist when you were even journeying to the top of the mountain. And then now to be sitting here and being one of the few women on earth that can say that is, you know, fantastic. And I'm just so happy for you, Mallory. I mean, this is amazing. And being a pioneer for young girls, I mean, that, that is priceless. And I know that you inspired a lot of people and kudos to those networks for televising it. And, you know, giving more exposure to women's sports because we need that. What is your mental advantage tip to athletes that might be listening, or a young girl that, you know, their parent is listening, or something that you would pass on to those younger athletes?

Yeah, I think the biggest thing for me is everyone has their own journey. Um, I was never, you know, I wasn't the best kid on my team all the time growing up. I wasn't on USA national teams. I wasn't on Olympic teams. But I'm still one of the top players, you know, in the world. I get to, I literally am an Isabel Cup champion. There's not many people that get to say that. And everyone has their own path in every journey. And some people might, you might get cut from teams early on and, you know, that stinks, but You can still learn a lot from playing on a, you know, a second team. Um, that happened a lot to me growing up. I, you know, I was never the best kid. Um, and I think that's really motivational, um, to know that just because, you know, you're not going the, the way you wanted to doesn't mean you're not going to get, get there eventually to your finish line. Did I ever think I would be an Isabel Cup champion? No. Like my dream was to play college hockey. And, you know, it's great that I did that. Um, and then as I got into the professional world, dreaming of being— lifting this, this baby girl up, um, was pretty surreal. So I think it's important to keep that in mind.

No, I love that. I think that's important, right? Because there's so many people that think that they have to be the best, they have to, you know, have that perfect path. And we already know the story of Michael Jordan getting cut from his More basketball team and so many countless others being told that they wouldn't be whatever they ended up being. And so I think that's important for people to learn from is that you can still be a professional or, you know, ascend to the highest heights, even if it wasn't your original plan or vision. But if you just put in the work, which I think you had the work ethic and the, you know, and just like you wanted to be the best in Mallory that you could be hockey player. And I think that obviously that is why it paid off. All right, so I, I don't know if Izzy's getting too heavy for you, but I've got some more questions. Yeah, yeah, she's not as big. How big is the Stanley Cup?

Like, it's like the Stanley Cup's pretty heavy.

It's okay.

The Stanley Cup's a lot bigger than— she's, she's, you know, yeah. Body size, but she's like, she's like 30 pounds roughly.

That's still heavy though. 30 pounds. I mean, you know, I mean, you know, yeah, exactly. Not something you want to be like, yeah, I'm going to, yeah. All right. So we got some rapid fire questions for you. Okay.

All right.

Uh, what is your favorite snack?

Oh, um, Trader Joe's dried mango. All right.

Trader Joe's dried mango.

I have like 4 packages of in the pantry. I buy them in bulk and I go through the whole bag in like one sitting. It's terrible, but so good.

Well, if we come over, we know to ask Mallory for, uh, dried mango. Okay, uh, favorite flavor of ice cream?

Oh, okay, so I'm actually lactose intolerant, so really sad, but Ben Jerry's has a really good non-dairy ice cream called PB and Cookies. Super good. It's like vanilla and it's got like some peanut butter swirl and like, it's got peanut butter swirl and like Oreos in it. And it doesn't taste like it's not non— like it doesn't taste like it's non-dairy.

So I might have to give that a shot because I am a vegan. I'm not. So I do do the non-dairy. I don't do Ben Jerry's as much. There's another— some other brands that I really like. Yeah, I'll give that one a shot. Give it a try.

Awesome.

Yeah, that's what I always say when people say they're lactose intolerant. I'm like, dude, vegan, vegan non-dairy frozen dessert. It can't be called ice cream because, you know, whatever.

I don't know if you knew that, but yeah, fun fact.

All right, so the other question, um, I have a few more, but, uh, who— what superpower would you want and why?

Fly. I think it's super fun. I love going really fast. Yeah, I I love skating and just like, um, but also like going to like places around the world really fast would be like really fun. And traveling— I'm not— I don't really like flying in planes. They kind of freak me out. Um, so that would be like a, you know, we'd avoid that issue.

And that's like, now I could just— at least I'm directing the flying. Okay.

Yeah.

All right. Well, that is awesome. And it is the number one answer. I've had more flying than anything. Me, I'm a teleporter. I don't even want to deal with it. I just want to be like, bam, I'm in Italy.

Yay, I'm here.

I'm going first class, then I'm like, okay, maybe I can deal with this. All right, so, uh, now this one is probably the most personal question, uh, and I have— it's kind of got some parts to it. Uh, in your bathroom, there's something called toilet paper. Are you an over-the-top or Are you an under the bottom? And why do you feel the way you feel?

Over the top. Like, I, I don't know. I think people are crazy if they go the other way, because then it's like, what happens when the paper gets like stuck in the back? And you're like, the top, you're like, well, then also the cats love when it's over the top, because then they can just see—

I've heard this, right? So as a cat owner, I'm surprised you're an over the top, because I've heard the unders say that it actually helps preserve your paper when the cat can get to it.

So I've trained my cats to just like, no, just get away from it. Okay.

All right. Now, to find out how intense you are about the over the top, which, by the way, I'm in an over the top as well. So, no, you know, and by the way, I don't think I've had only one person that was just like, ah, doesn't really matter, don't think about it. But almost every athlete I've interviewed has been an over the top. So I think if we're I don't want to call it an official study, but it might be all athletes are over the top, which seems on brand. All right. So question, would you change it? Do you change it at your house?

Do I change the toilet paper? Oh, do I change it?

If someone put it on the wrong way, like your mom came and she put toilet paper, oh, I need to change this. Would you change it?

Okay, I, I'm not gonna like— I mean, it's not my apartment.

Yeah, that's what I mean. It's actually—

if it's my apartment, um, usually, usually I'm the one who actually changes it. Okay. Um, my brother's kind of lazy, but okay. But, um, yeah, I, I mean, if, if he did, if he did do it wrong, he'd probably just change it. It's too easy. Yeah, I wouldn't go to my mom's house, my parents' house, and you wouldn't change it. I wouldn't change theirs.

Okay. Yeah, no, no, I understand, I understand. So some people do. I don't either. I'm not a changer at other people's houses. Yeah, but I am a changer at my house. Like, if you don't put it on right, I'm gonna change it.

Yeah, there is a right way.

And are you a bathroom snooper? Have you ever gone through anyone's cabinets or anything like that? Oops. Ah, see, thank you for being honest.

But yes, I didn't— you can learn a lot about someone, even if it's your friend or, or a boyfriend or whatever. I mean, the only places I've ever really snooped.

Yeah, and see, I just want people to know that this exists, okay? There are people that you invite to their house, they may change your toilet paper, and they probably have looked in your cabinets. Yeah, they're going to admit it or not, 100% different thing.

I am just keep them clean and stocked. Right.

And keep toilet paper under so that they can change it and put it on the way they want. All right. Who is your personal hero?

My mom. She's the best. She— growing up, she, she didn't come from a lot. But she made the most of every opportunity that she had. To grow and to push herself. And when she met my dad in college, like they did a really good job, you know, they saved money because my mom, you know, didn't come from a lot. So it was, you know, there weren't any lavish purchases in a sense. They saved a lot of money. And I think she's helped me a lot to, you know, ingrain that in me to be smart. And like, although you can buy a Gucci bag belt. You shouldn't buy a Gucci belt. And just, she made like all the sacrifices, you know, 6 AM hockey. She was the one driving the minivan there. She was driving all over kingdom come to take me to tournaments. You know, she took off— I mean, looking back now, I'm like, how did she take off all those Fridays for hockey tournaments? So obviously using, you know, PTO and sick days to come and take me to hockey tournaments, um, and, you know, doing everything in her power.

Yeah.

To allow me to take advantage of every single opportunity. My parents had to, you know, pay money for private school. I could have gone to my town school for free, basically. Yeah. Um, you know, they pay taxes, but like, wow. Um, and they made it work, and they made, you know, they made Yale work. It wasn't the best thing for for the family financially, but they did what they could to make it the best for me. And so that kind of sacrifices are— they mean like the world to me. And she's the best.

I love her. Amazing. I think, yeah, I think the moms don't get enough credit, right? Because if not, um, like, you know, I mean, not that the dads are not involved, but I think, I think sometimes the dads are a little, a little spacey too.

But maybe that's just like the females in us.

We, yeah, maybe towards other females, um, you know, because, yeah, because the mom's got to keep it all together. What's going on this weekend? What's— I'm sure your mom had some, like, my mom on the—

yeah, my mom's super Type A. My dad, just like, I don't, I don't think he has a type, but I'm like, I'm more— I'm a little toned down Type A.

I'm very organized, right?

I have a calendar on my wall. I have, you know, call with Brynn on whatever time. It's in my phone, it's in my work calendar blocked off. Like, everything's got to be like written down or I'm gonna forget it because I have a lot going on. And my mom's like that too.

So it's awesome. And last question: what do you want to be remembered for? Oh, I know it's a tough one.

Well, I just hope that, you know, people remember me as someone who, you you know, inspired and motivated younger girls to dream bigger. You know, dream of working in science and being a woman in STEM. It's getting better and numbers are getting better. And to also dream, you know, dream of playing professional hockey. Like, that is a career that we are hoping to make your only career, your solo career in hockey. So hopefully, you know, somewhere sometime down the road, I'm long retired, I have a family of my own, and, and there's someone playing for the Boston Pride and they, you know, they remember me. I think, um, that would, you know, that would make my day. It just— it doesn't have to be anyone famous or, or like good, just like one, one person. One person would be enough, I think. Just leaving the hockey world better than I found it, I think.

I love that, and I'm sure it's going to be many more. And I— and thank you for speaking about STEM. I don't think a lot of people, you know, I mean, I think some people know, but like you're a pioneer in two areas, right? Like, you know, working in STEM, women's hockey, you know, doing all these amazing things. And so just thank you for everything you're doing. Where can people connect with you, um, so that if they want to follow your journey in both the science world as well as hockey?

Yeah, um, I'm on Instagram at mypalmau 1-4. I also have a Linktree on there, so that should connect to all my other socials on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. I think my— like, you can even like email me from there. So if anyone ever wants to get in touch or, you know, wants a signed photo for their daughter, you know where to find me. Because I think, you know, like, it's something small for me in my head. It's, you know, I'm signing a piece of a photograph I print out at CVS for 80 cents. But when that girl gets it, what it means to her is just, just exponentially more.

And that's what it's all about. Absolutely. Representation matters. And thanks, Mallory. This has just been such a treat. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and your mental advantage, and look forward to hearing more about your successes on and off the ice.

All right. Thank you, Brynn. Thank you so much for having me.