As a child, Sami Jo Small had visions of summer Olympic glory, but those podium dreams would be realized through a winter sport.
When she began playing hockey as the only girl on a boys team in Winnipeg, there had yet to be an IIHF Women’s World Championship or competition at the winter games.
An excellent athlete, she landed a scholarship to Stanford University as a track and field competitor while moonlighting in net with the men’s club team. A subpar meet led to a chance trip to Calgary, there, the national program happened to be scouting for Nagano 1998.
That ticket led to a journey that wasn’t even possible when she first signed up to play.
Small discusses the role she played as well as the ongoing fight for equity and inclusion in our newest episode.
