USA Hockey Foundation

The USA Hockey Foundation: How is Olympic preparation coming along since you and your teammates relocated to the Tampa area?

Lee Stecklein: It’s going well so far. It feels like we’ve already been here a while because everyone is already settled in and we’re really in this good groove and flow. Training has been good and I think we can definitely see progress already.

The USA Hockey Foundation: You played against some former NHL players, too. How was that?

Stecklein: We were able to play some of the Tampa Bay Alumni. That was really exciting. They were retired, but they definitely still had all of their skills and speed and it really pushed us. It was just a fun game and atmosphere overall.

The USA Hockey Foundation: When did you first start thinking about wanting to play in the Olympics?

Stecklein: I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics. When I was younger, I dreamed of playing soccer in the Olympics one day, but it switched to hockey in middle school. I was enjoying the sport even more and more – getting to meet some people and going to USA Hockey’s U18 camps and getting to meet some of those past Olympians. I started thinking I could be one of them someday. Going to my first camps and getting to experience that USA culture was when I decided this was what I wanted.

The USA Hockey Foundation: How special is it for you to be on a stage where you can influence so many young players to follow their goals?

Stecklein: It’s definitely an honor to think about the fact that I could have an impact on young girls. It’s something I have to remind myself of sometimes, because when you’re here with your team, it feels so normal and such a part of your routine life. There are moments that remind me we are a part of something much bigger here. We can hopefully have the chance to change women’s hockey, change girls hockey and inspire more and more people to play this great sport.

The USA Hockey Foundation: The Friends of Women’s Hockey Fund was established in order to help and support your team. What does that mean to not only you as a player but for future generations of players?

Stecklein: It’s hard to describe how amazing it is that something could be dedicated to helping us and dedicated to women’s hockey and girls hockey. I don’t know if there are words. We’re extremely grateful and we know how lucky and blessed we are to be given the support that we have.

The USA Hockey Foundation: It’s off to a pretty fantastic start, already bringing in more than $100,000. If you’re talking to a potential donor and they ask why they should contribute to the Friends of Women’s Hockey Fund, what would you say to them?

Stecklein: I would say that if they’re looking for somewhere to help, this is a group where they would be able to see the impact they have. I just couldn’t be more grateful for the people who have donated and are considering donating. It has such an immediate and immense impact on us overall, and I think it makes them a part of our family. It’s how I know I would view everyone who’s willing to help us in that way.