Latest / Rinkside Rundown / Alex Therien on Growing Up in Ottawa, Why Pressure Is a Privilege, and the Importance of the PWHL
Transcript
- speaker-0: Going to these games and seeing that the stands are sold out is just truly amazing. Like I had to take it in. I was like, wow, like this is this is something I can do and it gives me something to look forward to and work after university. So I think it's amazing. speaker-1: Hello and welcome back to Rinkside Rundown, the podcast that brings you inside the world of women's hockey one story at a time. I'm your host, Chris Sinclair, and today I'm excited to be joined by Alex Terrion, an Ottawa, Ontario native and defender at the University of New Hampshire. Alex, welcome to the show. How you doing? speaker-0: Good, thanks for having me. speaker-1: Great. Yes. Thank you for being here. This is really exciting. Get to chat with a fellow Ottawa native. This is always great. So ⁓ but before we get into all of what you've accomplished, we have to start back at the beginning. So take me back to those early days and how you fell in love with the game of talk. speaker-0: Yeah, I mean my hockey journey wasn't very simple. I actually started playing hockey, road hockey. ⁓ and I think that's where I truly fell in love with it was road hockey. away from all the pressure, just playing with my friends. I didn't really enjoy hockey at first. I was more of a gymnast and soccer player and didn't really like the game. I grew up around the rank watching my brothers' games, so Think that's where I told my parents that I wanted to try again, give it another shot. They were like, all right, we'll we'll put you in it if you like it. Keep playing. ⁓ they were always supportive, no matter ⁓ what I chose. So when I went back to the rank for the second time, I finally fell in love with the game and I was like, this is something I want to keep doing. ⁓ I started late, ⁓ later than others. So ⁓ it was truly great to go back to the game and ⁓ I fell in love with it. For the second time, so yeah. speaker-1: So that's interesting then that you didn't actually ⁓ it wasn't an immediate passion. It wasn't an immediate l ⁓ love for you. ⁓ and as you had mentioned, you played so ⁓ soccer and you were gym ⁓ into gymnastics as well. what I guess then ⁓ it begs the question and you I guess you kind of alluded to it there, but y that was obviously something you were very interested in, ⁓ soccer and gymnastics. What made it kind of finally click for you that, you know, maybe as much as you enjoy those those sports, hockey is really where it's it's it's really sticking for you. What made that stick for you? Do you remember? speaker-0: Honestly, I think my grandpa and my brother, I mean, my grandpa also played hockey at a high level. So I think having people around you that also played had a big impact on that. Especially my brother, I mean, going to his games and seeing what the atmosphere was like, the crazy fans and the stands. So ⁓ I think that just made me want to play again. And then once I started playing for the second time, I think without all the pressure, I feel like when you have pressure on you as a young kid, you're like, ⁓ this isn't something that I enjoy and I feel like gymnastics kind of brought me that. It was a lot of pressure. I mean super hard on your on the athletes, super hard on the body. So I think going into a sport that didn't give me all that pressure. It was just fun, happy to be out there. I think that's what brought me the love to the game. speaker-1: And so I I also want to ask before we move off of this, is how important do you think it was that you were ⁓ that you played other sports? It wasn't just that you immediately found hockey, ⁓ or that you were just like maybe it was field hockey and something else, but you it was very different kinds of sports for you at very different kinds or times of the year. How important too for your development do you think it was? to have a variety of sports, especially early on in your development. speaker-0: Well, I think it's so important. I mean, gymnastics itself offers so many different things that you can get strong at. I feel like for core especially. ⁓ and it's crazy. Like the training you put into it, especially at a young age, like I was training 18 hours a day from when I was about six years old. So I think that was super important, super important for strength. And it kind of gave me the strength that I needed for hockey. So I think that was super important. And then aside from that, soccer, I mean you're running a ton cardio. So I think doing those little things, ⁓ especially like track and field or any sports that involve like ⁓ balls like soccer, hand eye coordination, I think that's so important for for hockey. speaker-1: Do you think is that something that maybe you would recommend for a lot of people too when they're starting out in I don't want to say necessarily that hockey has to be the ultimate destination, but to div divest your interests, so to speak, in terms of looking at playing different sports, because there are transferable skills and there are things that you can learn from different sports as well. speaker-0: Hundred percent. 'Cause I think you can learn so much from ⁓ other sports as well. ⁓ especially from a competitive side or even just getting involved with other sports games and making friends. Yeah, I think that's so important to do other sports because you don't wanna limit yourself to one thing and then you end up hating it because you're doing it so often. So I think just having fun at a young age and doing other sports is super important. speaker-1: Absolutely. Yeah, I don't want hate it. so when we look at ⁓ starting off with your junior career, you started off with the Ottawa Junior Sixty Sevens, Lady Sixty Sevens at the time, now junior sixty-sevens, ⁓ before you ultimately move to the Nippian Wildcats. So so I wanna kind of ⁓ lump those two organizations together. And if you could share what that development, what that growth, what that period of time meant for you both on and off the ice in terms of your development. speaker-0: Yeah, so well, I started with sixty sevens and then obviously moved to Nipean. But if you look at before that, I was a wildcat in Adam, ⁓ which is pretty funny that I ended up back there. But ⁓ when I went to sixty sevens, I was playing U fifteen there for a bit, and I had a coach, Fred Barzik, and he honestly made me love the game even more than I did. He took a chance on me. I wasn't I wasn't even gonna be on the team at the time, and he took a chance on me. And he allowed me to play with confidence, allowed me to play how I wanted to play rather than playing like a robot. So I think that like he I owe a lot to him. Like he gave me the confidence to play how I wanted to play. ⁓ still talk to him to this day. Loves checking up on me. great guy, great coach. I've nothing to but good things to say about him. And then ⁓ I moved up to junior, which was pretty scary being ⁓ the youngest on the team. ⁓ but I think being involved with a bunch of the older girls, ⁓ was great. Having a bunch of like older sisters basically. And then I played with Shannon Donnelly there, who same thing, exactly like Fred allowed me to play with confidence. Put me on in scenarios where I wasn't gonna fail, which was I think super important at a young age. ⁓ and then eventually making my way over to Napian with Tony, nothing but good things to say about both programs. I mean Great people, great coaches, they're only there for the right reasons. ⁓ I think they both allowed me to play how I wanted to play. I think with some teams, ⁓ they want you to play in a certain system or way. And if you don't, then you're put on the back burner. So I think both programs were super important in my development. I have nothing but good things to say about them. speaker-1: And what was that move like for you ultimately to go from the 67s to the Wildcats? Different programs, different ⁓ maybe even different expectations for yours like that you have for yourself, but of course that the organization has for you. How what was that experience like for you? And did you find it to be ⁓ maybe easier than you expected, maybe a little bit more difficult? Maybe just talk about that. speaker-0: Yeah, I knew the switch wasn't gonna be difficult because I did play with Tony and Adam. So it was like kinda kinda funny how I ended up back there. But ⁓ I also knew a few of the girls. ⁓ they all grew up playing the PN as well. So I knew the transition wasn't gonna be hard. It was just a matter of ⁓ leaving sixty sevens because it's a great program, great coaches. ⁓ I think at the time the most important part was it was weird because the E twenty two league it was that red and blue league or I don't know. It was all weird at the time. But yeah. That transition was super hard. I didn't want to leave them. ⁓ but I mean, my teammates on the PN, the coaches made it so easy and it felt like home in the PN as well. speaker-1: It's one thing to talk about making a change like that. Another thing to do it. How did you like what did that teach you about yourself to be able to say, you know what, this is the right thing for me? This is the right time for me to make this move, you know, grow, develop. What did that mean for you as well to to kind of show prove to yourself that you could do it? speaker-0: Yeah, I mean, well, I was still super young when I made the switch and I thought it was a super hard decision at a time, but ⁓ I've made so many hard decisions since and I think that honestly helped me grow as a person, ⁓ and a player making those tough decisions at a young age. But I think advocating for yourself when you're young is so important for your future and you really have to do what's best for you. You I mean, it's hard to think about your coaches and what they're gonna think, but I think advocating for yourself at a young age just truly grows grows you as a person and as a player as well. speaker-1: Absolutely. ⁓ so speaking of ⁓ you know, we've we've kind of maybe alluded to it a little bit here, but the success that you've had on the ice has been remarkable. And anyone who's followed your career has, you know, they can absolutely attest to that. And and one of those ⁓ milestones, if you will, is the fact that during your time with the Wildcats, you were named top scoring defender, ⁓ which is of course in an incredible accomplishment. ⁓ when you when you think about the that side of your game, of course, being a defender, you have to defend, but it's always great to add that secondary element of being an offensive defender as well. Has that always been a part of your game? Or at what point do you think you added, you layered that offensive skill set to your game as well? speaker-0: Yeah, I mean, of course, as a defender, you have to defense comes first. But I think I would always want the puck on my stick. I would always just want to go with the puck. And I think learning that, well, I can't just take it end to end every time hog the puck. So I think like creating opportunities as a as a defense, you're like the QB on ice. So you see the ice, you see everything. ⁓ so I think that offensive side is so important. And that's something that I really wanted to work on in my first year junior is growing my offensive game. So I think the past ⁓ two or three years I've truly focused on creating opportunities for myself and opening up lanes for my teammates as well. So I think that offensive side of the game is so important, especially in hockey nowadays. I mean you look at how much the the game has grown. so I think ⁓ as a defense, if you're able to be a two hundred foot player and work both ways, I think that's super important. speaker-1: Absolutely. Yeah. Separate yourself from everyone else. I like that. ⁓ so as I mentioned off the top, Ottawa native, you get the chance to play your entire junior career in the Ottawa area with Ottawa based teams. What did that mean to you to be able to do so? That's something that not everyone gets the opportunity to do. Sometimes or often they have to go somewhere else to play, to continue growing, to continue developing. Maybe it's there just aren't any programs left for them, or maybe there's some other reason, but you had the opportunity to do so for your entire career, be around that support system and and have that in ⁓ at your disposal, if you will, anytime you needed it ⁓ throughout that career. How important was that for you? speaker-0: Yeah, well I think honestly every Ottawa junior hockey player has asked themselves, like, look, like, do I have to go to Toronto to get where I want to go? And I think a few years ago you would have to say, Yeah. I mean, you do like you had two teams at the time a few years ago. But I think these Ottawa coaches have done a great job of growing the game for us and creating new teams and opportunities so we don't have to go to Toronto and we can stay home for our last few years of junior. So I think these coaches like ⁓ Dan Tassier and Shannon, like they've done a great job growing their programs. So I think that's awesome to have in Ottawa so girls know they can stay home and still go to the PW or still play D one or D three or D two, whatever they want. So I think that's great. speaker-1: Yeah, and especially now they have ⁓ another great example, yourself, as someone who has seen success and s was able to stay at home to to grow and develop during those essential ⁓ junior career ⁓ years. And speaking of success and maybe a representation of the success you've seen on the ice, you had the chance to represent your country. Yes. ⁓ which is cool. ⁓ I had a chance to cover this event. So I watched you play. ⁓ and once again, anyone who has seen your journey ⁓ is not surprised to have seen you re ⁓ have the opportunity to represent your country. Fantastic player. What did what did it mean to you to be able to put that jersey on for the very first time? speaker-0: mean, it was unreal because when I was young, it wasn't something I was thinking about. ⁓ I didn't even know there was a Team Canada for woman at the time until my two years into playing hockey. But it's truly such an honor to I s I told my mom this morning, I was like, I can't believe I played Team Canada. Like I just find it so crazy how these young female athletes can play for their country. And ⁓ it was amazing to put on that jersey for the first time. I truly took it in at the series versus the US. and it was just such an awesome experience playing with the top the top players in the country and playing against the top players in other countries. It was amazing. speaker-1: Well, and beyond being able to put that jersey on, there was something special stitched onto that jersey. And that's the A. You had to you had the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for that. What did that mean? What did that show and maybe prove to you about the journey that you had? The fact that now you're representing your country, highest of levels, and you're an assistant. You're part of that leadership team. What did that mean? speaker-0: was kind of in shock. I was like, wow, like this is amazing. I gotta wear a letter on the on the top stage. But I think all the players on my team, everybody's a leader. Everybody's a like great person. They do they do a great job of choosing great athletes, but at the same time you wanna be a great a great person on and off the ice. I think being a leader and showing these girls ⁓ guiding the way and being alongside of them. I mean my teammates also great leaders. So it wasn't hard to kind of fit into that group. And ⁓ it was just amazing wearing that letter on my chest. was truly an honor. speaker-1: Spoken like a true leader right there. That's for sure. That's for sure. I like that. ⁓ okay. Before we wrap up this section, I do want to talk about the fact, like the tournament itself. I wanted I want to hear from you. I s I watched it. I could only watch it on DV, so obviously I wasn't there. But maybe just take us into what that competitive atmosphere was like and and maybe beyond just the games themselves, what you learned about yourself. after now that you've had some time to think about that experience, what you take away from those kinds of experiences that lend themselves to now your collegiate career as well. speaker-0: Yeah, well I mean both Team Canada and UAT, they were they were huge games. ⁓ I mean the the UAT Team Ontario won versus Quebec in the in the finals was crazy. seeing the arena packed and I mean the other teams in the stands that only like wish they could play in that game. It was just an honor and it was like, Wow, like this is it. This is the final game, like it's it's Gotan. I remember being in the dressing room after the first period with my team and we weren't We weren't playing our game. ⁓ we did amazing that whole tournament, but we weren't playing our game. And Joe was our UA team team ⁓ UA team coach. He was in the dressing room, okay. He was said, get up. He said, get up. We all we all get in a circle and we start singing our our our win song or our our goal song. And it honestly made us like just forget. Forget everything, forget the people out there watching. Just play our game, play how we've been playing the whole The whole tournament and we went out there and ended up winning the game. So I think just having great teammates by you and knowing that, like, hey, look, like this is bigger than hockey. Like, we got this. We're fine. We just gotta let loose. And I think again with Team Canada, just like absorbing the pressure and knowing that pressure is truly a privilege, I think is so important in games like that. ⁓ and I think when you come out of those games, whether you win or lose, you grow truly as a as a person and also mentally. ⁓ I think the mental side of that is just so important. All the adrenaline going into that game. but knowing you put it all on the line. speaker-1: Pressure is privilege. That is something that comes up often. And I love that, that, that phrase, that motto, because it's very true, right? You're lucky to be able to be in that position. Yes, there's pressure, but it truly is a privilege. I I like that. Let's talk about the University of New Hampshire and what this your time in college has looked like thus far. before we get into that, of course, we have to learn. Why UNH? What made that the place that you wanted to go? speaker-0: Well, I always grew up camping around there or going for hikes. And I was never a big city person. Like I love I love ⁓ going out for hikes or camping or just getting away from that big city vibe. So I knew right off the bat when making a decision that I didn't want to go someplace that was all city. I know that I would have gotten kind of sick of it and probably would have went crazy, knowing that I can't go out for nature walks or just being with nature. So I think that played a big part in it. ⁓ when I went to New Hampshire, it was just amazing. Like I fell in love with the campus, the facilities. another big part was the coaches. Like I've never met coaches that made me feel like so safe and so welcomed. And it was just a family off the bat. Like I knew, like, okay, this is where I want to be. ⁓ so those two factors played a huge role. And then also just when talking to the coaches, like, they saw me fitting into the program right away, which I think is so important as a freshman. You don't wanna go somewhere where you're just gonna be on the back burner. Like, yeah, it's super cool playing playing at these top levels, but you also want to grow your game. And I know I know like as a freshman, it's hard getting put on these ⁓ like power play penalty kill. So I I wasn't even looking at that. I wasn't even looking like, okay, I wanna be on on stuff like that. But I wanted to know I was gonna get put in, like I was going to make an impact right off the bat. So I think all those ⁓ those three things just made me pick U and H and I think those three things are super important when looking at a university. speaker-1: And it's certainly worked out well for you so far. So I think you made the right choice. what is the what has the experience been like for you making that jump from junior to collegiate? Of course, now there's new I don't ⁓ maybe there is new pressure. I don't know that I want to say pressure, but there's certainly ⁓ there are new expectations. You're of course balancing elite hockey with academics. How has that transition been like for you? speaker-0: Yeah, I mean I think it's a huge jump going from U twenty two to to the college level because you don't get away with things anymore. You can't go end to end and score a goal. ⁓ so I think just learning how to adapt to the game and of course the speed and the physicality is just so much different. I love the physical side. I hope they implement hitting one day, but ⁓ I think the physical side is huge. I mean, they're not calling they're not calling penalties along the boards if you hit somebody very often. Like they're not calling that stuff. But I think the main thing is just the speed and adapting to the the speed of the game and learning like okay, I gotta create new lanes for myself 'cause this one won't work. So all those things. speaker-1: When you think about this past year and you think about how you might want to approach your off season so that you are ready in a different way, you continue to grow and develop, what does that look like? Like how do you approach your off season now that you have your first year under your belt? speaker-0: Yeah, well, I think for myself, training is such a big part of my game. I love training just as much as hockey. So just putting a ton of effort into that, training, also doing rehab, on I mean, injuries that you get throughout the season. But ⁓ yeah, taking the time to reflect on things that I can work on and putting them onto the ice. I mean, for Team Canada, we got stuff after that they want us to work on. So I feel like this past year I did a great job of working on those little details. And I think this summer's just something that I truly just want to perfect. But also just training is a huge part, mixing up my training and having fun while doing it. speaker-1: I want to also ask just maybe to for you to reflect on your first year. ⁓ this is, you know, it's it's not again, like we've said, it isn't necessarily the easiest to make that jump. You learn a lot about yourself, but things are happening so fast. I act as though I've done it. So I I've never done that, so I don't know what that's like, but ⁓ I can per se ⁓ perceive that there would be a lot coming at you. There'd be a lot of changes. New program, new coaches, new again, like we've talked about athletic ⁓ the athletics, but of course the academics aside, ⁓ as well. When you look at this for this last year, what have you learned about what are some of the things that you've learned about yourself ⁓ over this past year? speaker-0: Yeah, well I think going into university, the schooling, I'm not a huge fan of school, but I think learning how to balance that athlete and school side, just you have to know that school does come first. So I think putting a lot of time into your schooling while also performing is super important. So for myself, I learned how to balance both of those things. And yeah, it may have taken like a a month or two to truly get into like the groove of things, but I think learning how to do that, ⁓ and setting myself ⁓ up for success when going on a road trip knowing my schooling is done, ⁓ helped me build like a mental side that I didn't know I had before. So I think doing those small things ⁓ truly helped my game while also my school side. speaker-1: touch on the fact that again an Ottawa native you are we both are ⁓ an Ottawa native but there's a professional team now in your hometown ⁓ and I know that you've had the opportunity as well to check out some of their games more broadly I I have some follow up questions but more broadly what does it mean to you to have the to have a a professional women's team in your hometown Again, it isn't necessarily something that you have to wait every four years to be able to watch these games ⁓ on TV or or or maybe have the fortune of being able to attend live. What does it mean to you to be able to go to a game and to see these players and to have them to be a part of your commu your community as well? speaker-0: Yeah, I think it's so cool and I think it couldn't have came at a more perfect time. ⁓ growing up, I was going to all the Sens Ottawa games and looking up to these ⁓ male players, which is amazing. I still do, but ⁓ I think it couldn't have really came at a more perfect time. knowing that there's a team local to us and in Ottawa is just so cool. Especially for these younger athletes like my cousin, she She loves going to the games. I just went with her before I left for school again around Christmas time. But ⁓ going to these games and seeing that the stands are sold out is just truly amazing. Like I had to take it in. I was like, wow, like this is this is something I can do. And it gives me something to look forward to and work after university. So I think it's amazing. speaker-1: I love that you brought that up. Perfect segue because I wanted to talk about that specifically. ⁓ you've mentioned that you have your eyes set on the PWHL and the, of course, the Canadian National Program as well. With Ottawa having their team, what additional fuel does that provide you when you look at your training, how you look at the game, how you look at how you want to develop? Having that as the goal, the PWHL. Maybe even here in Ottawa, maybe you get drafted by the team. ⁓ what is that? How does that fuel your approach to the game and your passion for the game as well? speaker-0: Yeah, I mean it fuels me a lot. ⁓ training. Like every time I train, it's training with a purpose. So obviously getting drafted by any team would be an honor. But I think staying close to Ottawa and being able to play in front of my family and my my grandparents and my cousins, it would be it would be such an honor. So I think being able to train for something ⁓ of course in Canada that's my dream, but being able to play for something after university and having something to look forward to is so great, especially for the for these ⁓ younger athletes and generation. speaker-1: Absolutely. I agree. ⁓ okay, final buzzer segment. Fun way to wrap up the conversation. We're going to start with learning what is your go to pregame meal. speaker-0: Ooh, I'd have to say, I know a lot of athletes are gonna disagree with me on this one, but I would have to say steak and sweet potato. I know steak Yeah. I know steak is pretty heavy, but I I I like to have it a few few hours before the game. I like to kind of play a bit empty and then maybe have some fruit before I step on the ice. But I know a lot of athletes would say, ⁓ pasta, stuff like that, but no, I I love my steak and sweet potato. I think I have it. speaker-1: At all when I was speaker-0: Almost every single day. So I'd have to say that. speaker-1: Okay, good. F I can confidently tell you, first person to have steak and sweet potatoes as a pre game meal. I love it though. I love it. ⁓ what is one song or maybe an artist that gets you ready for game day? speaker-0: I'd have to say Kanye West or Chris Stapleton or Zach Bryan. I like ⁓ listening to Kanye like a f maybe like thirty minutes out or an hour out, get hypes. But then before the game I like to listen to some more calm music or even sad, which again pretty weird, but I feel like it just kinda calms me down because I'm already so amped up and ready to go. So I feel like anything ⁓ country or even Chris Stapleton, great artist. So speaker-1: Yeah. Yeah. I I I agree with that. Yeah, gets you dialed in. I like that. what's something that people might be surprised to learn about you? speaker-0: ⁓ well I have two things. So first one would probably be again, like I did gymnastics growing up, which I feel like a lot of people can find that kinda weird because I am five ten, almost five eleven now, which is pretty bizarre. speaker-1: You're taller than me, so that's why when I saw that I was surprised. speaker-0: Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I did gymnastics, I did soccer, I did track, so I did all those sports. ⁓ but I think the most surprising thing would be doing gymnastics. And then second thing I'd have to say is I love doing art. I love drawing. ⁓ or anything that really stimulates my mind. I I don't know if it's the ADHD talking, but I just love doing Lego. I love drawing or sketching. So yeah. speaker-1: Okay. ⁓ last one for you. If you could go back and talk to your younger self about the journey ahead, what do you think you would tell her? speaker-0: Yeah, I would probably have to say that not everybody's journey is the same. And I think that's something I put a lot of pressure on myself about, especially when first year Team Canada stuff stuff like that came out when I didn't get an invite right off the bat. I was like, wow, like this is it. Like I didn't even get an invite. ⁓ but you have to know like everybody's journey is different and you can't ⁓ compare yourself to others. You just gotta put your head down and keep working because everything will work out if you do that. speaker-1: Was gonna say, and everything has worked out, so I ⁓ and continues to for you. ⁓ that wraps up the final buzzer segment and this episode. Alex, it has been an absolute pleasure. ⁓ I I love the fact that I get to speak with an a fellow Ottawa native, ⁓ someone who I've spoken with ⁓ many times before as well. Have really enjoyed following your career. Thank you so much for taking the time, joining the show, sharing your story. Can't wait to keep cheering you on. Thanks so much. speaker-0: Thanks for so much for having me. speaker-1: And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow hockey fans. Your support helps me to continue bringing you stories just like Alex's from around the world of women's hockey. I'm Chris Sinclair. Thank you so much for tuning in, and I'll catch you next time on Ringside Rundown.