Women's Hockey: Keady ’08 sets sights on Vancouver

This past February, Keady was chosen to be a core member of USA Hockey’s residency program, a grueling program for post-NCAA players based in Blaine, Minn. There, they compete for coveted spots on the roster for the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championship, to be held in Hameenlinna, Finland, on April 4-12, and ultimately a spot on the Olympic roster.

Members of the program train on and off the ice, take part in major tournaments and compete in 10 games against NCAA Division I women’s teams, including last year’s national title competitors, the University of Washington and University of Minnesota-Duluth. The program runs from September to April, with the trip to the World Championships in Finland serving as a litmus test for Team USA.

“[The residency program] is eat, sleep and play hockey,” Keady said. “We have games twice a week, lift two to three times a week and doubles most days.”

Keady took a year off from Princeton to train with the U.S. National Team in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympics, coming within weeks of making the final roster. Team USA went on to win bronze at the Torino Olympics.

“It was pretty rough getting cut last time, especially four days before Christmas,” Keady said. “I’m pretty lucky to have this opportunity to prove myself again, and I want to look back without any regrets and know that I gave it my everything.”

While competing at this year’s Women’s National Festival in August, Keady suffered a severe concussion, cracked her helmet and was out cold for more than a minute. The concussion forced her to take a medical leave from the residency program, and she must wait for proper medical clearance to resume full-time training. Despite the injury, Keady is working hard to make sure she can be at full fitness when she rejoins the team.

“I’m back into lifting and conditioning at the Institute [of Performance and Fitness in Andover, Mass.], but I’m only allowed to get my heart rate so high, so I haven’t been able to skate for a while,” Keady said. “I’ve just started to do some shooting and do some stick handling and hopefully soon back to full skating again.”

During the last few months of her senior year, Keady was awarded the 2008 Sarah Devens Award, a $10,000 educational grant given to the player who best displays “leadership and commitment both on and off the ice.” This award, along with all the other opportunities available for college graduates, came second for Keady. With the 2010 Games being potentially her last chance to make the team, Keady is leaving it all on the ice.

“My focus right now is on hockey, and I want to do whatever it takes to make the team,” Keady said. “A lot of people helped me get to where I am, and I want to make sure that I show them that the extra effort was worth their while.”