This will be a different Winter Olympic Games for me to watch because I personally know some people who will be participating.
First off, there is U.S. goalie Maddie Rooney, who is from Andover, Minnesota. She is one of three goalies on the U.S. squad. I have interviewed her a couple of times in the last few months and even recorded a podcast with her.
Following one of our conservations, Maddie mentioned how she remembered going to the Carroll Goalie School when she was younger. That was cool to hear.
The head coach for Team USA is former University of Minnesota goalie Robb Stauber, who owns a goalie training center in Edina. We are both in the goalie development business and have been on the ice together at the same goalie camp.
Another player I know is Marissa Brandt. She played for the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team from 2011-2015. That’s the team I am the goalie coach for. Marissa played both forward and defense for the Gusties. She is a member of the Korean Olympic hockey team.
Her sister Hannah is a member of the U.S. Women’s Olympic team. The former Gopher star would often come down to St. Peter watch her sister play and would join her Marissa and their parents at our end of the year banquets.
I also know is Noora Raty, the former University of Minnesota stand-out who is the starting goalie for Finland Olympic team. Raty and I have been on the ice together at the same goalie camp.
Another person I know that’s connected to the Winter Games is goalie coach Rebecca Baker. She used to coach at Bethel University and now is the goalie coach for the Korean Olympic team. Baker and I have been on the ice together at the same goalie camp.
Let the games begin!
