That being said, there was a lot of work that went into preparing this team both on and off the ice to win gold. Unlike with the US men's hockey team, the women start training together full time for the Olympics in October. They came together for residency in Blaine, Minnesota, leaving family behind and putting college on hold for a year so they could commit to the preparation it takes to win. We had numerous mental skills sessions, mostly virtually, to ensure they were training their minds along with their bodies. There are a lot of veteran players on the team who have previously participated in the Olympics, so their leadership and experiences have been crucial in helping ensure those new to the games had a clear understanding of what was expected of them.
One thing that is missing from these games is the ability to have loved ones here. However, we've done our best to keep them connected. Family members sent pictures in before the games and we had framed photos waiting for them in their village apartments. We also send out daily newsletters to the players' families to keep them up to date and give them some insight into the team's inner circle. While we wish they had the support of friends and family here, it does allow the team to stay focused on being here and not having the distraction of being pulled in a different direction. Throughout the past year, they've played numerous games on the road with few friends in attendance, so we view fans as a perk rather than a necessity. While we want family and friends around, we don't need them here-we know they are staying up late and getting up early to cheer us on wherever they are.
