On Thursday, the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex became a gathering point for young hockey players as they watched the women’s Gold Medal Game between the United States and Canada. The event drew particular interest from members of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program, since four Team USA players were alumni.
Ava McNaughton, from Seven Fields, and Gwyneth Philips of Athens, Ohio, both goaltenders, had played for Penguins Elite since their early years. Forward Hannah Bilka and defenseman Laila Edwards—who is noted as the first Black woman to play hockey for Team USA at the Olympics—also spent time with the organization.
“That’s the beauty of the power of sport, right? This is the dream you chase, and that’s where the value is, in the pursuit,” said Shaun Suisham, Director of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Girls Hockey Program. “When our players have that special connection where they can truly relate to players in that actual moment, that vision board, that dream – and they have one degree of separation from that player – it makes it real.”
Suisham adjusted team schedules so more could watch. Some girls skipped workouts to see part of the game; others complained about missing it due to ice time. A group of boys ate together while watching in a café area. Many gathered around screens in different parts of the facility to follow every development.
The game itself was closely contested. Canada scored first in the second period on a shorthanded goal. Later in regulation time, after killing off a penalty and pulling goalie Aerin Frankel for an extra attacker, Team USA tied it when Laila Edwards took a shot from center point and Hilary Knight tipped it past Canadian goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens.
The crowd at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex reacted loudly to this key moment but grew even louder when Megan Keller scored what many called one of Team USA’s greatest goals to secure gold.
“To see our girls, our boys, all of our players in our program come together on a day like this to celebrate those players is special,” Suisham said. “These are hockey players who play on an extremely elite level. It’s fun to watch for anyone who appreciates the game of hockey, specifically the girls in our program. I love those girls. This is exactly why we do this. We don’t know if they’re ever going to get there, but darn it, didn’t four girls who played in our program just do it?”
Afterward, some youth players visited Suisham’s office with excitement over Edwards’ assist on Knight’s goal: “You know, the girl who got the assist played for the 12Us!” one said.
Suisham reflected on how seeing former local athletes succeed inspired current youth: “We are so proud of our girls, and they just lit a fire in the belly of so many of these young hockey players to go out and chase it. And that’s really special,” he said.
The Pittsburgh Penguins organization has long been recognized for its contributions through Hall of Fame figures among its players and leadership according to their official website. The franchise regularly competes at high levels within professional hockey and maintains strong ties with fans throughout Pittsburgh official website. Home games take place at PPG Paints Arena downtown official website, which serves as an important venue for sports events within city culture official website.
