Our Kids Play Hockey: Our Kids Play Goalie - Sami Jo Small on Goaltending, Grit, and Growth

Episode Description

In this week's episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli welcome a true icon in womens hockeySami Jo Small, three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist, and a lifelong advocate for inclusion, purpose, and team unity.From being the only girl on the street in Winnipeg playing road hockey with her brothers friends, to starting in net for Team Canada, Samis path wasnt just unconventionalit was groundbreaking.We explore:Her early days as the girl goalie and how inclusion, support, and street hockey shaped her identity.Why playing in boys leagues taught her resilienceand what we can all learn from being different on the team.What her parents got right about letting her playand how small decisions from adults can shape a childs future.Stanford, mechanical engineering, and club hockey on a mens teamhow she kept joy in the game without the pressure of being seen.How she made Team Canada almost by accident, thanks to a chance meeting, a bold leap of faith, and one coach who believed in her.How it felt to be told she wouldnt start in the 2002 Olympic gold medal gameand how that moment shaped her understanding of roles, leadership, and humility.The myth of the one goalie system and how goalies can and should support each other.What it really means to be part of a championship teamand how we can teach this to our kids now, at every level of youth hockey.Why joynot ambitionshould drive a young athletes development.Her daughters decision to leave hockey and how Sami learned to support a completely different kind of journey.This episode is a masterclass in humility, perspective, and purpose. Whether youre raising a goalie, coaching one, or are one, Samis story will change the way you see the gameand the people in it. Also mentioned: The Role I Played by Sami Jo Small a must-read memoir about elite sports, adversity, and identity.Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

Website: Our Kids Play Hockey