Caroline Harvey, 18, was one of the youngest players at the U.S. Women’s National Team Selection Camp in June. Her next few months were unknown to her.
Harvey did not make it to the national hockey team. Harvey would have been eligible for freshman year enrollment at the University of Wisconsin if she didn’t. Already, she had a class in English 100.
How would she feel if she was selected? Harvey would agree to join her more senior teammates at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championships, Calgary. This will be followed by a three-month-long residency program, in Minnesota. Then, Harvey will compete in the 2022 Olympic Games, Beijing.
Harvey stated that it was nerve-racking because he didn’t know how the outcome would turn out.
Harvey, who is a Massachusetts-born defenseman, was a standout during tryouts. Her talent was just too great not to be on the roster.
Megan Keller, an American veteran defenseman, said “She’s so skillful.” I just love watching her practice. Her skating abilities, and her ability to use the puck are amazing. She is a bit of an “Energizer Bunny” out there.
Harvey will be joining the Badgers in spring 2019. She could be an international celebrity by the time she arrives.
Right now, U.S. women’s hockey holds the top spot on the international podium. It won its 20th Olympic gold medal by defeating Canada in 2018. The women’s world championship begins on Friday, and will run through August 31. In the last five tournaments, the Americans won eight and in the nine previous ones the Americans took home the gold.
The stop-and-go nature the pandemic presents has made it difficult — with a series of cancelled games, reduced ice time, and diminished visibility. It will be 859 days since last the U.S. played in an international major tournament.
The roster has seen significant turnover over the past year. In the last year, Captain Meghan Duggan and twins Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux–Morando, who scored the winning goal and tying goals at the 2018 Olympic gold medal game), and Kacey Bellamy (15 years old) have all retired.
Keller explained that there have been many veterans who, along with the girls, made this program successful, had to retire. “Especially with the worlds being cancelled twice over the last two years, it’s been great to have new faces, new colleagues, and lots of new blood. It is thrilling to finally have this group. We have a great mix.
Harvey is the one who brings about a new youth movement. It’s one among four Americans, born in 2000, who are playing at the international championship.
Keller once said that “one of the greatest things about playing on the national teams is the ability to play alongside your role models,” Harvey has already experienced this. Harvey grew up admiring Bellamy.
Harvey stated that she and Harvey were together at several camps before her retirement. She taught me a lot. She was a great listener and it was also interesting to observe her approach to life. Although she was a great person to hang out with, it was hard to see her commitment when the time came to get serious. Although she was very funny and allowed her inner child to show, she was also very stable and was able to change when necessary.
Harvey will be able to play alongside some of her idols, like Hilary Knight who was enrolled at Wisconsin fourteen years prior to Harvey. But she is trying to absorb as much wisdom as possible from all sources.
Harvey took along her book “Dare to Make History” with the Lamoureux twins for her Calgary five-day quarantine.
Even though it is not an everyday relationship, she also has some knowledge of her new team members. Brianna Decker (one of America’s alternate captains), was Harvey’s assistant coach. Keller had a roommate at Boston College, where she was coached in club hockey. She revealed that Harvey is not often called Caroline.
Harvey explained, “When my sister was younger, she couldn’t pronounce Caroline. So, she called me KK instead.” We were very young but the name stuck.
Harvey didn’t find it difficult to get along with the seniors team. Keller has been helping her plan a TikTok choreographed dance for her teammates. Harvey is a similar age to her colleagues, and enjoys Netflix series like “All-American” or “Outer Banks.” It’s a completely different story when music is played in the locker rooms.
Keller explained that when the music is playing, people are constantly asking “OK, who’s this one?”
Harvey says, “I have the songs because my parents taught me.” While they’re older than me, some songs are familiar to me in a slightly different manner.
Harvey said it was an opportunity to move up and compete with top-level competitors.
According to her, the invitations to national camp are the most prestigious. It’s quite intimidating to look up at the other team members. It was very nerve-wracking at first. I was just getting used the girls’ pace and I was quite nervous. Although it was scary to first be among the youngest, I now feel comfortable with them.
Harvey has spent her whole life at the rink. Harvey’s dad would take Harvey to the practices of her older brother. He would then turn his stroller upside down to allow Harvey to watch. She was already skating by the age of three. Harvey, aside from an appearance as a goalie for a few minutes, has been playing defense throughout her whole life.
She stated that she enjoys being able “to see the entire ice” and to watch plays evolve. I also enjoy being offensive sometimes, which adds to the fun of my game.
Keller stated that Harvey’s skills are not her best, but her offensive and speed were the most important aspects of Harvey’s game. “But she isn’t afraid to get physical.”
Harvey’s career is already off to a strong start. Harvey received a penalty in this week’s first exhibition against Russia. She received a pass from Knight shortly after and took a shot. Then she scored her rebound for a 3-0 advantage. She echoed Decker’s words: Let it go. Avoid thinking too much. Allow your intuitions to take control.
Harvey always knew that she wanted to be on this stage one day. Harvey never imagined it would happen so soon.
It was something I didn’t think about a whole year ago,” she stated. Looking at the situation now and thinking about how it all happened, it is amazing.