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12 // AUGUST 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM T ake one look at Sammy Davis' hockey r e s u me a nd it 's ob v iou s t h at she 's t he t y pe of player wor t h bu i ld i ng a team around. After helping the U.S. win gold at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship, she embarked on a successful career at Boston University, leading the team in goals, assists and points in her final season while being named Beanpot MVP in 2019. She's also excelled off the ice as well. Before enrolling at BU, the Pembroke, Mass., native w a s t h e r e c i p i e n t o f t h e Jo h n C a r l et o n Award, presented by the Boston Bruins to a high school senior who combines exceptional hockey skills with academic excellence. With the Terriers, her academic prow- ess was further celebrated as a Hockey East Distinguished Scholar as she worked toward not only her bachelor's, but also a master's degree. Fr o m h e r a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a s a s t u - dent-athlete to her comeback after hip sur- gery during her junior season, it seems like there's nothing she can't do. So, when her time at Boston University came to an end after five seasons, it was no surprise that Davis chose to follow both her athletic and academic passions. On April 23, Davis was named the top pick in the NWHL draft after the Boston Pride traded up to take her. Then, several weeks later after graduating from Boston University with a master's degree in special education, she began the coursework to earn her doctorate in occupational therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital, a career she was introduced to through a freak accident on the ice. " My s ophomor e y e a r…one of my l i ne - mates took a slapshot and it hit my hand," Dav is rec a l led du r i ng a n i nter v iew w it h N BC 10 Boston. "It was such a frea k acci- dent . I h ad t o go s e e a h a nd su r ge on a nd then a n occupationa l therapist. It 's k ind of cra z y. Hockey led me to my career after hockey." These days Davis' summer consists of balancing her m o r n i n g w o r k o u t s w i t h afternoon online classes and nightly skating ses- sions. As a successful stu- dent-athlete, she has a head start knowing how to deal with the rigors of both a doctorate program and a professional hockey career. "I've been doing it for so long at BU that time management and routine have just become natural to me," Davis said. "Both the Pride and my teachers know what's going on. They understand what other things in my life are important to me but they won't expect anything less from me." That may change when the season starts and her coursework becomes more hands on, but until then, she's focused on setting herself up as best as possible for both hock- ey and beyond. " It 's somet h i ng t hat I'm excited about s o I 'm not w or r ie d a b out n a v i g at i n g it b e c au s e I k n o w t h at I a l s o h a v e a ton of suppor t a rou nd me," she sa id . " If I fa i l, it 's OK . I'l l get back up a nd keep going." Davis hopes that her journey will inspire other girls, and s h ow t h e m t h a t t h e y a r e capable of achieving their goals on and off the ice. " Whatever these young girls set their minds to, they can do," Davis said. "Don't be shy and go for whatever you set your mind to." P The Pride Of Boston NWHL's No. 1 Pick Ready To Face Challenges On And Off The Ice O F F T HE D R AW WOMEN By Alyssa Hertel PHOTOS BY Images On Ice; Boston University k Sammy Davis, left, and Sophie Skarzynski celebrate after Team USA's 3-2 OT win over Canada in the gold medal game at the 2015 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship.