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The Role I Played
In this book Sami Jo Small, Three-time Olympic medalist shares behind-the-scenes insight into the beloved Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team. Men’s hockey in Canada may hog the limelight, but interest in women’s hockey has never been higher. The Role I Played is a memoir of Sami Jo Small’s ten years with Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team. Beginning with her experience as a rookie at the first-ever women’s Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998 and culminating with Canada’s third straight Olympic gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, the veteran goaltender gives the reader behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in sports history.
Sami Jo Small
Gold Medal-Winning Goalie with the Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Team
As the former goalie for the Canadian Women’s National Hockey Team, Sami Jo Small is a five-time World Champion and three-time Olympian, who played on two gold-medal-winning teams. For three decades now, she has led teams to success through adversity both as an athlete and in management roles. Small draws on her personal experience, sharing exceptional tales of perseverance and drive, to help audiences build cohesive teams capable of taking on the world.
Small grew up on the outdoor hockey rinks of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her passion for the game was honed in the boys’ minor hockey system, where she dreamt of someday playing in the NHL and at the Olympic Games. She accepted a scholarship to Stanford University for track and field before injury returned her to the game of her childhood. She played on the Stanford Men’s hockey team, garnering PAC-10 MVP honours while earning her degree in mechanical engineering.
In 1997, Small joined the Canadian Women’s National Hockey Team, where her Olympic dreams became reality. But, after a lifetime of training for the “big game”, Small never got to play in it. “Not playing in the final game in Salt Lake forced me to focus on the accomplishment of the team above my own feelings,” she said. Small became a force of positivity in the dressing room, on the bench, and on the ice, and in doing so helped her team become champions. She was twice-named Championship MVP.
Small was one of the founders of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and worked as the general manager of the Toronto Furies until it discontinued operations in 2019. Today, she is a Certified Speaking Professional; the president of the Toronto Six, a women’s professional hockey team; and the owner of a hockey school that has run for more than 25 years.
Small is also the author of her memoir, The Role I Played, and a sports analyst who has worked for TSN and Sportsnet. She also provided colour commentary and play-by-play for the men’s and women’s hockey tournament at the Beijing Olympics.
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VIRTUAL or LIVE:
Lessons in Teamwork: It's Not About the Medal
Sami Jo Small uses storytelling to exemplify many aspects of developing more successful teams. She leaves audiences with concrete strategies to support the people and the teams around them.
In often changing business environments, Small shows organizations how to stay the course and how to focus on the big picture while still taking care of the details. Through her unique stories of perseverance and drive, she encourages audience members not only to seek out advice from others but to also share their knowledge and expertise as mentors. Drawing on her personal experience, Small demonstrates how we all have value and are capable of contributing and finding value. Ultimately, she strives to help audiences build cohesive teams capable of taking on the world.
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Sami Jo’s presentation was very well received! Her presentation was what I was looking for for my audience. Sami Jo was personable and I enjoyed working with her directly. I would recommend Sami Jo to any organization looking for her expertise. I did tweet about Sami Jo and her presentation. Sami Jo also stayed and addressed each individual student who wanted an autograph or picture. She is inspiring.
–Peel Elementary Teachers' Local
Sami Jo’s presentation was very well received! Her presentation was what I was looking for for my audience. Sami Jo was personable and I enjoyed working with her directly. I would recommend Sami Jo to any organization looking for her expertise. I did tweet about Sami Jo and her presentation. Sami Jo also stayed and addressed each individual student who wanted an autograph or picture. She is inspiring.
–Peel Elementary Teachers' Local
I had extremely positive feedback from everyone after your presentation. Your stories and message were very positive and inspirational. Our President spoke at the end of the day and he referenced your experiences and "lessons learned" and related it to his own experiences and lessons this year. For me that was important because I wanted him to appreciate the opportunity as well and I know he did. It was great to meet you too and I really appreciated your efforts... It was very special for us to have you there.
–Miele Limited
Sami's talk was highly motivational and as a leader, she embodied the three C's of Character, Competence and Commitment we had discussed in class. She shows high commitment, energy and a commitment to always improve. Another key point really resonated: "sometimes you don't get to choose the role in life, but you can choose how you play that role"...as best as you can.
–Western University
Just want to thankyou for considering speaking at Finance University. On reviewing our evaluations, you were regarded as one of the speakers that attendees enjoyed the most. I understand one attendee had tears. The committee was thrilled to see that your speech tied in beautifully with our keynote speaker.
–LCBO
Sami Jo, on behalf of EQAO I would like to thank you for taking time to be with us today and sharing pivotal moments of your life. You words have taught us that it is not only important to envision and set goals but to be prepared for the unexpected - and, when the unexpected occurs, to remember that there are choices for moving forward - pushing our limits, even in times of emotional discomfort. You are a true inspiration and touch the very core of being human. You have left us with the understanding that as individuals we are all members of a team and therefore rely on one another for support - beyond solo gains. Although we all have a unique set of life experiences, what we do have in common is the ability to pick each other up when we fall down. In following your motto, "try to do to better today than yesterday". Finally, thank you for reminding us to grab hold of our dreams and "light the fire within us"! It has been an honour to have you with us and share in this moment together. Again, thank you Sami Jo Small.
–EQAO
The 4 Directions Youth Program would like to officially thank you for your time and dedication to the youth and for their growth as individuals. The insights you shared with them during your presentation was very inspirational and uplifting. With the knowledge and wisdom you shared during the presentation will not only steer them in the right direction but will help them work towards a brighter, more positive future for themselves and for others they come into contact with throughout their lives. We know you made a big positive impact on theirs.
–4 Directions Youth Program