We’re On the Brink of the Olympics!
January 30, 2006
The past 6 months have been quite an adventure. Team USA has traveled from Italy, to Canada, to Finland, to all across the USA on the “Hilton Family skate to 2006 tour” in preparation for this moment. The final team has been selected and we are on the brink of heading over to the Olympic Games to represent our country. These are 20 players who have sacrificed so much over the past 4 years to get here…or really over a lifetime. We have had some ups (beating Canada in our final game in Winnipeg in front of 12,000 screaming Canadian fans) and downs (getting killed at the pre-Olympic tournament by the same team) over the course of the past few months. Along the way we lost 5 players to cuts, but each of them has helped us become a better team by pushing us along the way.
Right now we are training in Connecticut and shopping at Wal-Mart, picking up all the little things we may need over in Italy (such as shampoo, protein bars, video cassettes, adaptors, and extra socks.) The one thing that we know we will certainly not need is extra clothing. The day we get into Torino (Feb 5th) we will immediately go through team processing, where you get your Olympic credentials to get into the village and venues, talk to USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) so that we know the protocol on drug testing, and one of my favorite parts of the games, receiving all the free gear! You get a shopping cart and enter a huge warehouse where you literally go around the room and get your size in everything: boots, jackets (leather, Podium, opening and closing ceremonies), pants, socks, Olympic Rings, hats, gloves, and just about any other article of clothing you can think of. When you leave, your cart is filled to the brim and they even give you luggage to take it all home. Nike and Roots are the official suppliers, so we psyched because their designs are usually pretty cool. You have an outfit for every possible occasion at the games. The only problem will be getting it all back home. I guess I will be sending some back with my mom and sister, who will be there to cheer me on.
On the hockey front, we are just about prepared: extra sticks, skates, and gear is already packed. When we get over there, we will have only 5 more practices until our first game against Switzerland on the 11th, so right now we are fine tuning our forecheck and trying to nail down our powerplay and penaltykill systems. I feel that we are ready. We are peaking at the right moment…especially after having a rough start this season to the Canadians. It feels great. This will be my 3rd Olympics, but I can assure you that it never gets old. It is always amazing to put on the Red, White and Blue and walk in the Opening Ceremonies for your country. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and excited at the same time because it is finally here. It has been 4 years since we lost to Canada in the final game. 4 years to train to avenge that lost. We are ready. I hope everyone back home tunes in to cheer us on! Go U-S-A!
Comments
Comments
Good luck to you all from an old ('78 - '82) UNH player. You're living our dream! My current team will be glued to the set for 2 weeks - luckily all the women's games are televised. Hi and good luck to Courtney - she used to fill in on my Chelmsford senior team when she was about 12! Go USA!
Posted by: DC at February 9, 2006 08:57 AM
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hi im a past female hockey player from northern ny that you to the usa womens team for so much respect to the sport i love so much you are playing so well and like a real team keep the great work up and enjoy!
Posted by: windy jones at February 12, 2006 04:11 PM
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Good Luck in your future games. You and your team look wonderful out there. I think you are enjoying this, abd I say good for all of you, a lot of hard work went into getting all of you there. God Bless and as far as this country and myself are concerned you are all Gold Medal winners. Can't wait for you game tomorrow against finland. Sincerely Pat Nelson
Posted by: patnelson at February 13, 2006 10:46 AM
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i think you are the best hockey player and the coolest . i play hockey my name is emily i am the only girl on my hockey team i also am doing a report on you i like hockey and i wish i can enter the stanly cup when i grow up.
Posted by: Emily at February 20, 2006 07:51 PM
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Hey There,
You and Team USA Rocks I am a big fan of you girls. I'm 21 and hopefully joining a womens league here shortly. I have been a fan of hockey since I came out of the womb it's in my blood. It is so awesome to see you guys out there playing your hearts out and representing The United States Of America. I can't wait till I can put on a Team USA Jersey and hopefully play side by side with you and the other team mates. I'm happy for you and the team, that you got the bronze medal. But in my eyes and in the US's eyes you are a Gold Medal Winning Team!! If you want you can check out my website http://www.myspace.com/roxiespage It's decorated with Team USA pictures of you and the whole team and it talks about me to.. Ok you guys take it easy now and I can't wait till the next winter olympics..GO USA!!!!
Keep Your Stick On The ICE,
Roxie
Posted by: Roxie at February 23, 2006 03:06 PM
Angela, it is so good to see you online and keeping us up to date! I cannot wait to live vicariously through your entries, imagining all of the excitement of being live at the games! We're all standing behind you and the team -- cheering loudly!
Posted by: JenC at January 30, 2006 09:22 PM