The Game That Keeps Giving

I have this picture hanging in both my office and my home. It’s one of my favorites …

A reminder of what is possible.

A reminder to have hope.

To dream big.

To believe in yourself.

To believe in your team.

Last week marked almost three decades since that faithful night when Team USA came from behind to beat Canada in Montreal to win the World Cup of Hockey. My dad was behind the bench, and my mom, sister, and I were in the stands. A junior in HS, I was 16 years old and didn’t realize at the time how much that night would continue to shape me.

Three lessons still stand out:

Every role matters. A championship team isn’t just about the stars. Success comes when everyone buys in—whether you’re in the starting lineup, the fourth line, or sidelined. That same truth applies to families, workplaces, and communities: every position carries value.

A seat at the table. My dad ALWAYS included my mom, sister and I in his career. I have countless memories of really big milestones and also my favorite, the car rides home with him after a regular season NHL game, where I could ask questions. More recently I made the connection that I was a part of his teams. He gave me a seat at the table to gain experience. I saw what it took to win. And I also saw how he handled losses. Big and small. He intentionally gave me access, involvement, and perspective.

The value of showing up. Eight months after this win, in the Spring of ‘97, still a junior in high school, I skipped my track postseason to fly alone to Europe and join my dad with Team USA for another hockey tournament. At the time, it cost me valuable HS racing experience, but I gained something deeper: the gift of learning how to be a good teammate and how to show up for others—lessons that have carried into all aspects of my life.

29 years later, I see that night in Canada wasn’t just a championship. It was a foundation for how I view leadership, teamwork, performance and most importantly of all, parenting.