This might be her first Olympics, but Vermont native Amanda Pelkey is no stranger to the national stage.
Pelkey has skated with the U-18 and U-22 teams before joining the women’s national team, where she’s already played at the IHF World Championship and Four Nations Cup. Yet, Pelkey is just getting started.
At just 24 years old, Pelkey already has accomplished so much. The Montpelier native has been a part of history multiple times, first, at Vermont in college, then in the National Women’s Hockey League.
Now, she has a chance to be a part of history, but this time, on an international stage.
The all-time University of Vermont leader in goals had a stellar collegiate career. She was a team captain, the squad’s MVP her senior season, and set program records for goals in a season, points in a season, points in a game and power-play goals in a season.
Her pro career has flourished from the start, with an NWHL All-Star appearance and an Isobel Cup championship. She’s been a leader for the most successful team in NWHL history, with two championship appearances and by far the most games won in the league’s young history.
Pelkey is one of seven players from the NWHL’s Boston Pride who suit up for Team USA. Having that chance to skate with her teammates away from USA events has made chemistry that much stronger. She plays on a line with USA captain and Pride teammate Meghan Duggan, a Danvers, Mass., native (see Hangin’ Out With, Page 54).
Yet, Pelkey’s played with these skaters before. This group has been together for so long, dating back to playing in U- 18s, and this year at the World Championships in Michigan. It’s a win-win, no matter who she plays with.
"I think regardless of being on the same NWHL team, all of us have that chemistry," said Pelkey. "We’re fortunate you can put anyone with anyone and make the plays no matter who plays with who."
Team USA rebounded to win the 2017 Four Nations Cup after dropping a 5-1 decision to archival Canada at Agganis Arena in Boston on Oct. 25. That game was a teachable moment, and the Americans responded.
"There’s a lot of lessons. It’s unfortunate we play in front of a home crowd and that’s the opposite of how we play" Pelkey said after that loss in Boston. "The biggest thing for me and the team is little errors lead to momentum shifts. We dug ourselves a hole from a couple of errors, but if we’re sharp on those players, it’s a different story."
Still, that homecoming was a nice moment for the New Englander, who had a chance to play in front of her fans and former teammates from Vermont, and the current squad that looks up to her.
"It’s great," she said. "I’ve been looking forward to this since I made the team. It’s the best feeling in the world to know people are coming to support all the way from Vermont."
The Americans are deep enough where Pelkey skates on the third line. She also played on the third line with the Pride, and has learned to serve as a depth player.
This comes after being the most heavily relied upon player in Vermont history. Before she got there, the Catamounts struggled, never having a leading point getter with more than 50 points. By the time Pelkey was done there, the entire program was different.
Now, after reinventing Catamount hockey, Pelkey could be a part of a USA team looking to rewrite the record books. With five straight Olympics without a gold medal, this year’s group is all in on winning that final game.
Pelkey, like her teammates, has her eyes on that golden prize.
"It’s incredible," she said of the opportunity to make history. "It’s the best job in the world. Back in Florida (for centralization camp), every day is a grind, but it’s what we dreamed every day of doing. We’re there 8:30 until 2 (p.m.) and that’s go time at the rink. We have 100 percent buy-in, and it’s rare to find that from a team."
