← Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
US Women's Hockey Gold Medalists Talk Youth Sports & Growing Up on the Ice
00:19:06
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- [00:00]
A
Welcome back to youo Think. I'm Shelby Baumgarner, your digital host, unless you were living under a rock. USA women's hockey won gold, and I got to talk to two athletes from that team, Hailey Skamura and Kelly Panick. One of my favorite moments from the Kelly interview was the way that her face lit up when she talked about her favorite coach. Her favorite coach was her first ever woman coach as well. And she said it was just something different with the way that she really connected to her. And she felt that her development really started to kick in with this coach by her side. She just really found it special to have a female coach in the hockey space because she said that she was just really able to connect with her on a deeper level and. And it also inspired her to get in the game of hockey, but then also coach in the future as well. What she's doing now, Kelly is super involved in the youth hockey space. Let's toss to her interview now. What is up, Kelly? How are you doing today?
- [01:08]
B
I am doing good. Second day back at practice with Minnesota Frost after coming back from Milan, and definitely feels better doing it with the gold medal, but I could also probably use a few more days of rest. But excited to get back to it.
- [01:21]
A
I know you've gotten this question a lot, but how is the body feeling?
- [01:25]
B
Yeah, you know, actually okay. I mean, I think because we were in Milan, like, a few days after our game, and we were able to kind of celebrate and kind of wrap it all up and then take advantage of, you know, an off day, some sleep. The sleep has been the biggest thing, trying to get the sleep back in order, but it's actually feeling pretty good, so pretty fortunate in that way.
- [01:43]
A
That's amazing. I guess we gotta start from the beginning. And you grew up in Minnesota, you went to school there, and now you're playing pro there. What is it like to play on the professional stage for a place that means so much to you?
- [01:56]
B
Yeah, it's something that, like, when I was growing up, I never could have dreamed of it, literally, because there wasn't the opportunity. So I could dream as far as being a Gopher and was able to do that and dream about being an Olympian and be able to do that. But being able to play with the Minnesota Frost, too, is something that's really special. I think just the amount of community support and feeling very ingrained in this hockey community and very much, you know, love to see how it's grown grassroots all the way up has been really
- [02:18]
A
special for youth athletes. Why should they get into hockey?
- [02:23]
B
Yeah, I mean I just think hockey is the best sport. I think there's so many things that you can learn. It's fast, it's free. There's. You kind of have a little bit elements of, you know, some set plays here and there, face offs and whatnot. But there's also a lot of room for creativity and problem solving. And it's just, it's such an ultimate team sport where you know, you're constantly getting subbed in and out. There's, there's always action happening. No roles is too big or too small for anyone to do. And so yeah, I mean I've just always loved it.
- [02:49]
A
What is your biggest piece of advice that you have for kids that are trying to get into hockey?
- [02:54]
B
Yeah, I think don't be afraid to fall. I think that's something that all of us, you know, starting off, you're getting on ice with hockey skates. It's not a very normal feeling as far as you're falling.
- [03:03]
A
Literally or figuratively?
- [03:05]
B
No, literally fall like and get back literally super normal. And you know, I think that's something that you know the youth coaches that do a great job of getting kids used to that is like the ones that tend to like stick with it because it becomes not a scary thing. And yeah, I think just give it a try and you'll hopefully make some lifelong friends out of it too.
- [03:23]
A
What is your favorite youth hockey memory?
- [03:26]
B
Favorite youth hockey memory probably so when I was a squirt, so I think I was in fourth or fifth grade, first year squirt. I was the only girl on an all boys team and we had played in a few. I don't actually know that year if we played in many championship games at any of the tournaments, but we happened to play in a championship game and I scored like the tying and game winning goal. And there, there's actually a dad who like videotaped all the games and put together like some fun. This was like back before like the recruiting stuff. So this is just like literally fun highlight reels for the kids and you could see in like the background like some of the dads just like full wind up arm celebration. So that was, that was pretty special.
- [04:03]
A
When you look at your time as a youth athlete, was there a coach that really impacted you and your development?
- [04:08]
B
Yeah, guy named Kevin Gray. He was actually my square coach. He had him for two years. And it's funny, I actually do some coaching now with him. So it's been fun to kind of have a full circle. But I Say between him and like watching hockey with my dad, that's where I learned a lot of my basics. You know, X's and O's that have still kind of stuck with me to today. And I think he was just the first coach that, you know, taught me how to where to go on a breakout or where to go on a four check or what this means or what that means. And I think that he's a huge reason of, you know, who I am now as a hockey player. And like I said, it's really fun to get to be a full circle now and you know, kind of learn from him in a different capacity. In coaching.
- [04:44]
A
You speak of your dad. We're all about parents and coaching here and different types of dynamics. What can parents do right in your eyes?
- [04:54]
B
Yeah, I mean I think you parents make or break if it's fun. And that's something I didn't have. My dad coached me like my first three years of hockey so like really like might level, you know, nothing, travel, nothing super intense and. And then I had other coaches which I was really grateful for. And I remember as a kid, like I was very early on, I was like, I want to say like 10 or 11. And I looked at my parents and it was like after a game and they wanted to talk about it. I said, I know what I did, right or wrong and if I want to talk about it, I will. And luckily I have parents that like respected a kid saying that to them. And so ever since then they've always just been like, you know, good luck, have fun, good job, great game and they'll ask me if I'm enjoying it and those kinds of things. And I think, you know, the parents that let their kids be like self motivators, I think there's a time like my parents have always said too, like if you sign up for something, you're gonna do it. So if you sign up for that, that early morning hockey camp and you don't want to go, well, you signed up so you're going to go. Like they'll put their foot down on that, but they'll also, I think at the end of the day they just want me to do whatever. I love doing whatever makes me happy. And I'm very grateful that, you know, they really let me take the lead on it because I think at the end of the day, you know, to get to where I am in this sport, you don't get there without being self motivated. And I think that's something that is important for kids to know and it's okay if kids don't want to get to this level. That's. They shouldn't have to. Right. It should be fun, especially at a young age.
- [06:17]
A
What do you think that youth athletes and youth coaches should learn from the Olympics?
- [06:23]
B
Yeah, I think, well, one, I think you look at, I think a lot of like the celebrations or the moments after the competition, whether it's a game, a race or performance, and you know, the reaction a lot of times is a lot of relief or a lot of joy or sometimes there's sadness in there and it all goes back to just the amount of hard work that you put into it. And I think again, like that ability for athletes at that stage to feel really good about, you know, the preparation they put in and letting that do the work and just be really proud of the performance, win or loss, I think is really important. And at that point too, like we're at the top, you know, whatever percentage of athletes that get to represent, you know, our country on that stage. And I think if we can still find time to enjoy it and smile and laugh, even if it's through tears sometimes, like, I think that's really important for kids to know as well.
- [07:15]
A
I was going to say, like for youth athletes, looking at you, I mean, you're the ultimate role model. You're a three time Olympian. Like, how do you build that success and your abilities over time?
- [07:28]
B
Yeah, I think it's exactly that. It's over time. I think being able to learn and adjust and adapt, like, I'm not the same hockey player I was when I left high school to go to college. I'm not the same hockey player I was when I first made the national team. I'm not the same hockey player I was when I made my first Olympic team. So I think just being able to find ways to adapt and adjust and to, to grow and find ways to learn new skills or little tweaks here and there that will help you, you know, be better, whatever is you're doing is really important. And I think those of us that have been around the longest and be able to have that longevity in our sport, it really is about finding new ways to get the job done.
- [08:02]
A
Can you explain the feeling of when Keller scored that overtime goal?
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B
Like, what did it feel like?
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A
I'm just so curious as an outsider.
- [08:11]
B
Yeah, I think like I'll go back to when Hillary scored to tie it up. I mean, that bench, like it was body slam level hugs, like screaming, like, so excited, so determined. And it wasn't even like it Was like, we knew we were gonna score, and. And we did it. And so let's try to get a next one in two minutes. And then when I saw Keller get that puck and I saw that she was going to try to do a little one on one and take it to the net, it kind of like, I couldn't tell. It went in right away, and then it was like, holy crap, that actually went in. And like, anyone who knows Megan Keller, like, she is the ultimate hype person for every single person. She's such a, like, key leader on our team. Always hyping everyone up, always doing the jobs on the ice, offensively, defensively. And so, like, for her to get that moment, like, it's so. It's just unreal, like, to see the pictures of her turning that corner and just immediately looking for her teammates, you just can't get out there fast enough. Yeah, exactly.
- [08:59]
A
It's like the definition of walking. Like, I talk it like, that is so special that she was the one to get that moment.
- [09:05]
C
Yeah.
- [09:06]
A
I love how you describe that. That's awesome. Our next interview is Hailey Skamura from New York. I truly loved talking to Haley. She is so vibrant, she's so competitive, and she told some great stories. One of my favorite parts of the Haley interview is that she said that she didn't make a singular USA team until she was 25 years old.
- [09:26]
B
She.
- [09:26]
A
She said that she finds this super important for youth athletes to know and parents, because she didn't peak until later. And she said that she also wasn't fully ready physically, mentally, and her hockey skills weren't fully developed. I think this is important for youth athletes and parents to know that even at the Olympic stage, different athletes peak at different times. The head coach of the USA Women's hockey team says that Haley is the hardest worker that he's ever come across. So to get the opportunity to talk to her and get her insights, it was just a full circle moment. You started on a backyard rink with your three older brothers, and at the very young age, you just decided that you wanted to be Olympian. What do you have to say that younger Hayley.
- [10:13]
C
I just am so proud of her and everything she did to kind of get to this point. And just, she always kept, like, the love of the game in her heart. And I still carry that with me, obviously with me now. And that's what kind of got me through, like, the gold medal game and all those different things is kind of reminding myself of younger Haley.
- [10:33]
A
So it's pretty cool for youth athletes. Why should they get into hockey.
- [10:40]
C
I just think hockey is the ultimate team sport, and I think it really teaches you how to, like, work with others, how to lead, how to. How to lead, how to be a good teammate, a good person, a good friend, you know, dealing with adversity, dealing with, you know, things. Just all things in life. I just think it is applicable, and I just absolutely love hockey.
- [11:05]
A
What pieces of advice do you have for youth athletes?
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C
For youth athletes, I think the biggest thing is to remember that it's a game and to have fun. I think so easily people get caught up in, like, having to be perfect on the ice and never making mistakes. And hockey and all sports are a game of mistakes. Like, that's just what they are. And so the sooner you realize that, the more fun you're gonna have with it. And so to just enjoy the process and enjoy all the friends you're making, too, along the way, because they last a lifetime.
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A
Absolutely. Your dad played in the NHL. Can you tell me about the impact that he had on your development?
- [11:43]
C
He was a huge impact on my development. He was my coach all my life growing up. He taught me the importance of hard work, of discipline, of listening to your coaches, being coachable. I think that's why I'm at the level I'm at today is because I'm always kind of taking constructive criticism and always trying to make myself better, kind of like that. Never being satisfied, in a sense. And, yeah, I think also my work ethic, like, I'm always like, the workhorse is what everyone calls me out there. And I'm bringing the energy, and I'm always giving 110%. So he's a huge part of that for me.
- [12:20]
A
Absolutely. I was listening to an interview with your head coach of the USA Women's hockey team, and he said that you are the hardest worker on the team, without a doubt. And they wouldn't know what they would do if they didn't have you in Milan. Where does this come from?
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C
Like, my hard work ethic and stuff? I.
- [12:41]
A
You know what?
- [12:42]
C
I, like, think definitely from my dad, I think from my family in general. Like, I grew up with three older brothers, so I feel like I was always kind of, like, working to, like, be with them and with their friends, like, trying to play at their level. I think it was innate in me, honestly. Like, I've always had that competitive drive in me, like playing Scrabble with family. I want to win. Like, I. I don't like to lose, you know, So I think it was always a part of my DNA. And yeah, it's kind of funny to
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A
look back on favorite youth hockey memory.
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C
The first thing that comes to mind is, like, when you went on trips at the hotels and you were getting in trouble at all hours of the night because we were playing, like, knee hockey or mini sticks in the hallways. You know, I think those are my favorite memories are, like, being in the pool till, like, midnight at the hotel pool with all the friends, like, just all of those. You kind of, like, look back on and you realize, like, how much fun it was. Like, that was the point of all those trips, you know, like, the hockey was awesome, obviously, too, but it was all those bonding memories, for sure.
- [13:44]
A
There a coach that you had when you were young that really impacted your development.
- [13:49]
C
I mean, my dad, obviously, for sure, but I also had a coach I talk about a lot when I played high school hockey. Well, not high school hockey. I was in high school playing in Canada. Her name was Brady Cochran, and she was like, the first female coach that I ever had in that space. It was always male coaches before that. And there was just something different about being coached by, like, a strong female role model for the first time and kind of feeling like that impact for me was a lot different than being coached by males in the space. I just felt like I connected with her more. I felt like I could see myself being her when I grew up. Like, I think that's maybe why I enjoy mentoring so much. I think I never really had that female role model. She was like my first female role model in that space, in the hockey space. So she's someone I, you know, attribute a lot to and have a lot of respect for.
- [14:41]
A
I love that answer. Was there a specific lesson or coach coaching philosophy that she had that really stuck with you?
- [14:49]
C
She just really cared about her athletes as people. Like, she put us first. You know, there was always like, you know, there could be overbearing parents or things like that, but she always protected the athletes and made sure she had their best interest.
- [15:04]
A
You said something super interesting that we're kind of all about here at Youth Inc. And something about your journey that is special is that you didn't really peak until later. And I think so much of youth athlete culture right now is predicting how good a young athlete's going to be at such a young age. What do you have to say about that?
- [15:25]
C
I am such a huge advocate in owning your journey because everyone's journey is different, and that's what's meant for you. Like you were saying, I guess you could say peaked late. You Know, I still went to Division one college, right. I had a full ride scholarship, but I didn't get on the USA program until I was 24, which is especially in the hockey space, kind of unheard of. Like, I didn't make my first like, world roster until I was 24. I was in grad school. I was almost like calling it quits, you know. And so it's pretty incredible to see. And then now here I am, two time Olympian and looking back on my career, I don't think I was mentally or physically ready to be with the US program any earlier. I think I was meant to kind of go through all of that, figure out how I could handle adversity, adversity mentally. And then I was put into that space because it's higher stakes, it can be more stressful. But I felt by the time I was there, I was just like, what do I have to lose? And I just had that mentality the whole time. And I just, I've made the team ever since.
- [16:27]
A
So I love that answer. We, we couldn't agree more here. Can you explain the feeling of when Keller scored the overtime game winner?
- [16:39]
C
Pure elation. Like literally just like everyone exhaled and we just went onto the ice. Like, I just wanted to hug all my teammates. I just wanted to see everyone. I, you know, we've been through so much together and we knew we could win gold. But then the moment finally actually happened and it was just absolutely incredible. And then, you know, pure excitement and then just kind of emotional too. Once I saw my teammates crying. Once I saw my family in the stands, like freaking out crying. Like my dad and his little double wave. I will never forget. Like, literally. There's just so many moments that kind of pop into my head and I relive the whole experience again.
- [17:22]
A
Something that I have to bring up though, is you pride yourself in your manifestation and you wrote down every single day that you guys were going to win gold. Tell me about that.
- [17:32]
C
So actually it was my boyfriend's idea. We have like a whiteboard, like a little portable one in our apartment and wherever we're living, because we're all over the place. And it just says, I am a gold medalist. And I would just write over it every morning before I made my coffee. And we also put it where you could see it, like when you're walking through a door or like going through the hallway and things like that. And so I was like constantly reading it, constantly seeing it, even if I wasn't like, like aware of it. I was definitely subconsciously aware of it. So I think it was. It was just massive for me. I mean, I've had that written on different whiteboards in different locations, like, for the last year.
- [18:14]
A
You have to, like. Like, free on that.
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C
It's safe.
- [18:18]
A
Yeah.
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C
Yeah.
- [18:19]
A
That is amazing. I agree.
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C
Yeah.
- [18:21]
A
Oh, my God. Like, honestly, you say it, you believe it. Like, I am such a firm believer of that. Like, me too. That's amazing. Thank you so much to Hailey and Kelly for spending a little bit of time with me just a week after they won gold in Milan. It was just a very special moment for me, as such an Olympic fan, to kind of hear the ins and outs of Milan, how they got there, and all about their youth hockey experience. And as just a reminder, I'm the digital host for Youth, Inc. So if you want to find my stuff, Elbe Bumsports, and also my stuff is all on Youth Thinks page. Thank you so much for listening. See you next week.