TS: When did you start playing goal?
B.M: I started playing goal at the age of 5.
TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
B.M: I switched back and forth between goalie and player for the beginning then no one else wanted to play so I turned into our all time goalie. Like most girl goalies, I think we all have the similar story of having an older brother that was a forward as well. Why not put your little sister in net and shoot things at her
TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?
B.M: I didn't really have goalies that I tried to mimic growing up but I enjoyed watching Patrick Roy and now Henrik Lundqvist
TS: What team/level do you currently play?
B.M: I currently play on the United States Women's National Team
TS: What gear do you currently wear?
B.M: Reebok XLTs
TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
B.M: My favorite piece of equipment that I own is either my pads or my new CCM skates. Tough call.
TS: You also provide lessons to younger goaltenders through Gold Medal Goalie Training. What made you decide to peruse the coaching side of the position?
B.M: While playing on the National Team, it is hard to get full time jobs because we travel quite a bit. I was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University before the last olympics and loved coaching but really just liked the one on one kind of feel and playing with the goalies anyways. So when I returned to Pittsburgh I opened my own facility that gives me the flexibility to travel with the team and also do what I love.
TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
B.M: I grew up without a ton of goalie coaching so I always relied on athletic ability to get me by. It wasn't until a few years ago I broke down all of my sloppy flopping around and learned how to move as a goalie. So I would say I move pretty well now but can rely on my athletic ability to get my out of things when I need to.
TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
B.M: I don't really have any superstitions but I do like to play some catch before games and throw a lacrosse ball around. I've learned that superstitions became more of a distraction and something that made preparing for a game more stressful i think. Now I just like to jam out to my favorites with my team mates and get some laughs in before the game.
TS: You’ve represented the United States multiple times on the Olympic stage and the World Championships, which includes winning an Olympic Silver Medal in 2010 and 2014 with the United States women’s national team. What were those experiences like for you?
B.M: I've been apart of two Olympic Games and three World Championships. Looking back, every experience was different. The 2010 Olympics was my first experience on the National Team so that year was a whirlwind. Every year we get a little more mature and dedicated to training. Whatever it is a camp, tournament, or the Olympics it never gets old putting on that red, white, and blue sweater with my team mates. It's an experience that I am very grateful for and proud of to represent my country in the best sport there is.
TS: As of right now, if you had to choose, what has been the highlight of your hockey career?
B.M: The highlight of my hockey career…hmm that's a tough one actually! There are different ones that stick out for different reasons. In college, we were one of the worst teams in the NCAA and we opened our season with the National Champions. We ended up beating them 3-2 and I had the most saves of my career with 63. At the time, it was said to be the biggest upset in women's college hockey.
TS: Finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there?
B.M: My advice for goalies is always the same! You have to have a sense of humor and a short term memory out there. You will have games that don't go your way and it's easy to get frustrated. Every time I've been in a slump I have someone that points out that it doesn't look like I'm having very much fun. When I change my attitude I change my outcome.
B.M: I started playing goal at the age of 5.
TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
B.M: I switched back and forth between goalie and player for the beginning then no one else wanted to play so I turned into our all time goalie. Like most girl goalies, I think we all have the similar story of having an older brother that was a forward as well. Why not put your little sister in net and shoot things at her
TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?
B.M: I didn't really have goalies that I tried to mimic growing up but I enjoyed watching Patrick Roy and now Henrik Lundqvist
TS: What team/level do you currently play?
B.M: I currently play on the United States Women's National Team
TS: What gear do you currently wear?
B.M: Reebok XLTs
TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
B.M: My favorite piece of equipment that I own is either my pads or my new CCM skates. Tough call.
TS: You also provide lessons to younger goaltenders through Gold Medal Goalie Training. What made you decide to peruse the coaching side of the position?
B.M: While playing on the National Team, it is hard to get full time jobs because we travel quite a bit. I was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University before the last olympics and loved coaching but really just liked the one on one kind of feel and playing with the goalies anyways. So when I returned to Pittsburgh I opened my own facility that gives me the flexibility to travel with the team and also do what I love.
TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
B.M: I grew up without a ton of goalie coaching so I always relied on athletic ability to get me by. It wasn't until a few years ago I broke down all of my sloppy flopping around and learned how to move as a goalie. So I would say I move pretty well now but can rely on my athletic ability to get my out of things when I need to.
TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
B.M: I don't really have any superstitions but I do like to play some catch before games and throw a lacrosse ball around. I've learned that superstitions became more of a distraction and something that made preparing for a game more stressful i think. Now I just like to jam out to my favorites with my team mates and get some laughs in before the game.
TS: You’ve represented the United States multiple times on the Olympic stage and the World Championships, which includes winning an Olympic Silver Medal in 2010 and 2014 with the United States women’s national team. What were those experiences like for you?
B.M: I've been apart of two Olympic Games and three World Championships. Looking back, every experience was different. The 2010 Olympics was my first experience on the National Team so that year was a whirlwind. Every year we get a little more mature and dedicated to training. Whatever it is a camp, tournament, or the Olympics it never gets old putting on that red, white, and blue sweater with my team mates. It's an experience that I am very grateful for and proud of to represent my country in the best sport there is.
TS: As of right now, if you had to choose, what has been the highlight of your hockey career?
B.M: The highlight of my hockey career…hmm that's a tough one actually! There are different ones that stick out for different reasons. In college, we were one of the worst teams in the NCAA and we opened our season with the National Champions. We ended up beating them 3-2 and I had the most saves of my career with 63. At the time, it was said to be the biggest upset in women's college hockey.
TS: Finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there?
B.M: My advice for goalies is always the same! You have to have a sense of humor and a short term memory out there. You will have games that don't go your way and it's easy to get frustrated. Every time I've been in a slump I have someone that points out that it doesn't look like I'm having very much fun. When I change my attitude I change my outcome.
Thanks Brianne for taking the time to answer some questions for Tendysetups.com! You can Follow Brianne on Twitter and on Instagram @BrianneMcl.
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