I still vividly remember the first time I watched my brother play hockey. He moved so effortlessly across the ice, and I sat in awe. My dad was beside me in the stands, quiet, proud, and so present. Those moments, filled with admiration and warmth, became the foundation of my love for the game. And with both of my parents cheering me on every step of the way, hockey quickly became my everything.
I played wherever I could – on the driveway, in the backyard, at the rink, even in hotel hallways and arena lobbies. It didn’t matter if it was summer heat or winter cold, as long as I had a stick in my hands, I had a dream in my heart. That dream was to play for the national team and one day compete in the Olympics.
That dream then carried me to the NCAA Division I level (the highest level of college athletics in the United States) and would be the next step into helping me get on the Team Canada National Team – something I once believed was “living the dream.”
But the reality wasn’t what I had imagined.The environment leaned more on control and criticism than on clarity and communication, which would have nurtured my growth. Little by little, it chipped away at my confidence. No matter how hard I worked or how much I advocated for myself, I never felt like I had the same opportunity to succeed as others. Over time, the joy I had always found in hockey faded, and eventually, I had to walk away.
Leaving the game was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made, but it gave me clarity I couldn’t have found any other way. I realized just how much influence coaches hold and how their words and actions can either build an athlete up or quietly erode their confidence. Too often, traditional coaching methods lean on pressure and negativity, and that doesn’t create space for athletes to thrive.
When I returned to hockey, it wasn’t just to find my own joy again – it was to help restore joy for others. That vision became Bold Play: a new model where athletes build skill and confidence side by side, in an environment that is highly competitive yet also supportive, inclusive, and fun!
Hockey has taught me lessons I’ll carry forever: resilience, discipline, and the power of teamwork. My mission now is to create a culture where those values thrive, and where every athlete feels seen, supported, and inspired to love the game as much as I always have – and still do.