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Three-time Olympic medalist shares behind-the-scenes insight into the beloved Canadian National Women's Hockey Team
Men's hockey in Canada may hog the limelight, but interest in women's hockey has never been higher. The Role I Played is a memoir of Sami Jo Small's ten years with Canada's National Women's Hockey Team. Beginning with her experience as a rookie at the first-ever women's Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998 and culminating with Canada's third straight Olympic gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, the veteran goaltender gives the reader behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in sports history.
Small offers insider access, writing with unflinching honesty about the triumphs of her greatest games and the anguish of difficult times. This book honours the individuals who sacrificed so much of their lives to represent Canada on a world stage and celebrates their individual contributions to the team's glory. While bringing the personalities of her teammates to life, Small takes the reader into the dressing rooms and onto the ice for an up-close glimpse into the ups and downs of athletes pursuing a sport's highest achievement. Sami Jo Small spent 10 years on Canada's National Women's Hockey Team. As a veteran goaltender, she gives the reader behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in women's sports history. Sami Jo Small is a three-time Canadian Olympic ice hockey goalie (two golds and one silver) and a five-time World Champion. A graduate of Stanford University in mechanical engineering, she now works as a Certified Speaking Professional, delivering messages on how to build successful teams as well as successful teammates. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, she now lives in Mississauga, Ontario.
Mid-February, a call comes to our rented house in Redwood City in from Danièle Sauvageau, Team Canada's head coach. I think I like her. She's a former RCMP officer and seems tough, but also seems to engage her players.
"How's hockey in California?" she asks in a thick French accent.
"We are in the middle of the pack, probably outside a birth to the Nationals, but for our final weekend we play against our main rivals, the University of California at Berkeley for what's known as the Big Skate."
"The Big Skate? You win a skate?" she asks, as if, perhaps, what I just said was lost in translation.
"Well, kind of. Berkeley is our biggest rival and in football they play "The Big Game" so in hockey we play, "The Big Skate."" I opt not to explain further. Both Berkeley and Stanford are not very strong this year, however, my brother Luke, after being accepted into optometry, decided to play for our cross bay rivals. So "The Big Skate" is for family bragging rights, but I don't explain all this to Danièle, she's bound not to understand.
"Well, I guess, good luck in, "The Big Skate,"" she says with a confused tone.
There's a pause.
"I am calling to congratulate you on making the World Championship Team."
I realize that this call is not just a catch-up session, but in fact, The Call I've been waiting for since I first watched Susie Yuen and the entire Team Canada in pink jerseys play on television in 1990 at the World Championships.
"Welcome to Team Canada." Goose bumps run up my spine as I feel my gums against my lips.
"Thank you, thank you so much."
I hang up the phone and scream for Diana, who is with her boyfriend Jesus in the other room. Corey and Susan come running too.
"Guys, I made it! I made Team Canada." They rush in for a giant hug, making me squirm while they laugh and congratulate me. None of my roommates have any sort of hockey background, but they've watched me play for Stanford against the guys and have been my biggest fans. Diana makes us all a special celebratory dinner of empanadas and ot
Men's hockey in Canada may hog the limelight, but interest in women's hockey has never been higher. The Role I Played is a memoir of Sami Jo Small's ten years with Canada's National Women's Hockey Team. Beginning with her experience as a rookie at the first-ever women's Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998 and culminating with Canada's third straight Olympic gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, the veteran goaltender gives the reader behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in sports history.
Small offers insider access, writing with unflinching honesty about the triumphs of her greatest games and the anguish of difficult times. This book honours the individuals who sacrificed so much of their lives to represent Canada on a world stage and celebrates their individual contributions to the team's glory. While bringing the personalities of her teammates to life, Small takes the reader into the dressing rooms and onto the ice for an up-close glimpse into the ups and downs of athletes pursuing a sport's highest achievement. Sami Jo Small spent 10 years on Canada's National Women's Hockey Team. As a veteran goaltender, she gives the reader behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in women's sports history. Sami Jo Small is a three-time Canadian Olympic ice hockey goalie (two golds and one silver) and a five-time World Champion. A graduate of Stanford University in mechanical engineering, she now works as a Certified Speaking Professional, delivering messages on how to build successful teams as well as successful teammates. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, she now lives in Mississauga, Ontario.
Mid-February, a call comes to our rented house in Redwood City in from Danièle Sauvageau, Team Canada's head coach. I think I like her. She's a former RCMP officer and seems tough, but also seems to engage her players.
"How's hockey in California?" she asks in a thick French accent.
"We are in the middle of the pack, probably outside a birth to the Nationals, but for our final weekend we play against our main rivals, the University of California at Berkeley for what's known as the Big Skate."
"The Big Skate? You win a skate?" she asks, as if, perhaps, what I just said was lost in translation.
"Well, kind of. Berkeley is our biggest rival and in football they play "The Big Game" so in hockey we play, "The Big Skate."" I opt not to explain further. Both Berkeley and Stanford are not very strong this year, however, my brother Luke, after being accepted into optometry, decided to play for our cross bay rivals. So "The Big Skate" is for family bragging rights, but I don't explain all this to Danièle, she's bound not to understand.
"Well, I guess, good luck in, "The Big Skate,"" she says with a confused tone.
There's a pause.
"I am calling to congratulate you on making the World Championship Team."
I realize that this call is not just a catch-up session, but in fact, The Call I've been waiting for since I first watched Susie Yuen and the entire Team Canada in pink jerseys play on television in 1990 at the World Championships.
"Welcome to Team Canada." Goose bumps run up my spine as I feel my gums against my lips.
"Thank you, thank you so much."
I hang up the phone and scream for Diana, who is with her boyfriend Jesus in the other room. Corey and Susan come running too.
"Guys, I made it! I made Team Canada." They rush in for a giant hug, making me squirm while they laugh and congratulate me. None of my roommates have any sort of hockey background, but they've watched me play for Stanford against the guys and have been my biggest fans. Diana makes us all a special celebratory dinner of empanadas and ot