MILAN – During her school years in Plymouth, Minnesota, Kelly Pannek once received a report card from a teacher that noted she was “pretty competitive.”
Pannek felt uncertain for some time, worrying that her competitive nature might be perceived negatively. Would other children shy away from playing with her?
“I recall when I was younger, people would comment, ‘Oh, she's really competitive.’ I used to view it almost as a negative trait, thinking it made me less enjoyable to play with,” Pannek shared during the U.S. Women’s National Team training camp in September.
“However, as I have matured, I have come to understand that this competitive spirit is one of my strengths. When challenges arise, as they inevitably will, you discover your true character and the essence of your team.”
John Wroblewski, head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s National Team, appreciates Pannek’s competitive spirit and the relentless drive of his entire squad. It is a quality he values in all 23 players.
Ready to keep climbing.
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Wroblewski acknowledges that while Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, and Megan Keller serve as the team’s official leadership group and “tone setters,” he has observed other veteran players also establishing a standard, while young emerging talents contribute significantly on the scoreboard.
“Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein, Kendall Coyne, Cayla Barnes, Aerin Frankel, Hayley Scamurra – they are influencing the pace of practices and setting expectations off the ice. This intermediary leadership group deserves considerable recognition for guiding our younger players into the competitive arena,” he stated.
Following the team’s 5-0 victory over Canada on Wednesday, Wroblewski remarked that even if his team feels they have reached the pinnacle, the more challenging aspect will be the descent.
“Oh, you believe you have accomplished something?” Wroblewski said. “That is when the mountain can overwhelm you. You must return home, and that is the toughest part.”
This journey down the mountain begins Friday in the quarterfinals against host nation Italy at 3:10 ET (USA Network | Peacock).
Wroblewski is confident that Knight will keep the team focused on the challenges ahead due to her past experiences, and he is also aware that his roster is filled with seasoned veterans to guide the younger players.
For instance, Pannek, a two-time PWHL champion with the Minnesota Frost, and Barnes are both participating in their third Olympics and were part of the 2018 gold-medal winning team alongside Knight, Keller, Stecklein, and Coyne Schofield.
“We have experienced what it feels like to win, yes, but some of us have also felt the sting of defeat, and it’s a dreadful feeling,” Pannek remarked.
Barnes added, “That middle tier, we're just additional voices in the room with experience that can assist new players with whatever they require. Everyone contributes something distinct and valuable, which is what makes our group exceptional. Clearly, we have strong leadership in our three captains, along with additional leadership beneath them to support our team in any situation we may encounter.”
When asked about Wroblewski’s mountain analogy, Pannek concurred.
“It’s about the journey,” Pannek explained at the Starbucks Winter House on Thursday. “How do you transition from a dominant performance, recognizing that we played exceptionally well, but that game is in the past? As we start the next one, that previous game doesn’t hold significance anymore. It’s about building on everything we’ve accomplished to reach this point, while understanding that it will require something a bit more special, a bit different, and a bit better in every game to succeed – to navigate off that mountain.
“We don’t win a game with one player, two players, or five players. We achieve victory with all 23, including those who may not be in the lineup that night. It’s a truly special team to be part of because that has always been highly valued. It begins with our leaders, but ultimately, it’s up to everyone to follow that example and lead in their own way, ensuring that everyone is pulling together in the same direction.”
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