The Role I Played is a memoir written by Sami Jo Small, which chronicles her 10-year journey with Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team. In this book, Small sheds light on the often overshadowed world of women’s hockey in Canada and shares her personal experiences and insights as a player.

Small begins by discussing the growing interest and popularity of women’s hockey in Canada. While men’s hockey traditionally receives more attention and media coverage, Small emphasizes that interest in women’s hockey has been steadily increasing over the years. She highlights the achievements and successes of the Canadian women’s team, challenging the notion that women’s hockey is any less exciting or competitive than its male counterpart.

Throughout the memoir, Small delves into her own experiences as a goaltender for the national team. She provides an intimate look into the rigorous training, sacrifices, and challenges faced by female athletes in pursuit of their dreams. Small shares stories of triumphs and setbacks, both on and off the ice, offering readers a glimpse into the dedication and resilience required to compete at the highest level.

Moreover, The Role I Played explores the camaraderie and bonds formed within the team. Small emphasizes the importance of teamwork and unity in achieving success, highlighting how these relationships shaped her as an athlete and as an individual. She also discusses the impact of mentors and coaches who played a pivotal role in her development as a player.

In addition to sharing her personal journey, Small addresses broader issues within women’s hockey. She discusses topics such as gender inequality in sports, pay disparities, and the ongoing fight for recognition and support for female athletes. Through her own experiences and observations, she advocates for greater visibility and opportunities for women in hockey.

Overall, The Role I Played offers a compelling account of Sami Jo Small’s career with Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team. It serves as both a celebration of women’s hockey and a call to action for greater recognition and support for female athletes.

• The Role I Played

• Canada’s Greatest Olympic Hockey Team
• By: Sami Jo Small
• Narrated by: Chloe Cannon

Men’s hockey in Canada may attract the limelight, but interest in women’s hockey has never been higher. The Role I Played is Sami Jo Small’s 10-year memoir with Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team. Beginning with his experience as a rookie at the first women’s Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998 and culminating in Canada’s third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, the veteran goalkeeper gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most successful teams in sports history.

Small provides insider access, writing with unflinching honesty about victory in her best games and anguish in difficult times. This book honors individuals who have sacrificed much of their lives to represent Canada on the world stage and celebrates their individual contributions to team glory. While enlivening the personalities of his teammates, Small takes listeners into the locker room and onto the ice rink for a close-up look at the ups and downs of athletes pursuing the highest achievements of a sport.

This answered a lot of questions I had and things I never thought to ask. History, battles, acceptance and finding the positives and achievements along the way. Sami Jo helped build the game in ways I never realized.

This wonderful and well-written book not only takes you behind the scenes of being an elite athlete in the pressure-packed world of representing a country, but it also provides some great life lessons on how to approach life. If you join Sami Jo on this journey, you’ll find yourself going through as many emotions as she did and I’m sure you’ll learn more about yourself in the process.

I think I know a lot about Sami Jo and I know. But this book opened up a whole new perspective on the complexity and power required to become a professional athlete. She is shown to be honest, strong and vulnerable but above all, devoted to her sport. This book can be a metaphor for survival in many different fields. She looks genuine, kind, and talented. I learned about hockey, about the inner process.

Great book available on Thursday night finished reading on Saturday morning, if you are a fan of women’s hockey or hockey in general, a great read for young players who understand the sacrifices and what it takes to reach the top level. A great role model for women to understand the game and life in general.

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