Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1348405
"I felt comfortable in that setting, talking "I felt comfortable in that setting, talking w i t h p l ay e r s a n d a b o u t t h e g a m e . I wa s w i t h p l ay e r s a n d a b o u t t h e g a m e . I wa s fortunate to share that passion with my dad fortunate to share that passion with my dad and that helped foster it." and that helped foster it." Coaching became such a part of her life that Coaching became such a part of her life that Feaster has completely immersed herself in Feaster has completely immersed herself in learning the nuances of the game. That will- learning the nuances of the game. That will- ingness to work hard has allowed her to get ingness to work hard has allowed her to get to where she is today as a coach and blaze a to where she is today as a coach and blaze a trail for bigger opportunities down the road. trail for bigger opportunities down the road. "For me, it's a labor of love. I want to be at "For me, it's a labor of love. I want to be at the rink. I want to watch the film and I want to the rink. I want to watch the film and I want to get into the nitty, gritty of the game," she said. get into the nitty, gritty of the game," she said. The fact that she enjoyed a front row seat The fact that she enjoyed a front row seat to watch the Lightning win the Cup in 2004 to watch the Lightning win the Cup in 2004 and the Friars skate off with an NCAA title in and the Friars skate off with an NCAA title in 2015 has had a huge impact on her as a coach. 2015 has had a huge impact on her as a coach. "Anytime you experience or learn about or "Anytime you experience or learn about or draw things from winning teams, whether in draw things from winning teams, whether in hockey or another sport, it's an opportunity hockey or another sport, it's an opportunity to grow personally and learn what it takes to grow personally and learn what it takes to be successful at different levels," she said. to be successful at different levels," she said. "It gives you an idea of what it takes to be the "It gives you an idea of what it takes to be the best at what you do and become a champion." best at what you do and become a champion." Those beliefs were only strengthened Those beliefs were only strengthened during her time in Canada, which included during her time in Canada, which included quarantining for four days prior to the puck quarantining for four days prior to the puck drop of the tournament. drop of the tournament. "What jumped out was the incredible hock- "What jumped out was the incredible hock- ey that was played," Feaster said. "Those ey that was played," Feaster said. "Those players are so incredibly talented and it made players are so incredibly talented and it made for an amazing two weeks of hockey. To watch for an amazing two weeks of hockey. To watch those athletes perform at such a high level was those athletes perform at such a high level was the thing that stood out to me right away." the thing that stood out to me right away." Feaster went into the World Juniors look- Feaster went into the World Juniors look- ing to soak in all that she could from the ing to soak in all that she could from the experience of coaching in a major interna- experience of coaching in a major interna- tional tournament. She was also determined tional tournament. She was also determined to do her part to help the U.S. win its fifth to do her part to help the U.S. win its fifth gold medal in the event. Now that both of gold medal in the event. Now that both of those missions were accomplished, she isn't those missions were accomplished, she isn't sure what comes next in her career in hockey. sure what comes next in her career in hockey. Whatever that may be, it's safe to say she's Whatever that may be, it's safe to say she's only scratched the surface of what promises only scratched the surface of what promises to be a long career in the game. to be a long career in the game. "It's right up there with one of my best "It's right up there with one of my best experiences as a coach," Feaster said. "It experiences as a coach," Feaster said. "It was an amazing experience that is going to was an amazing experience that is going to make everyone involved in it better. The make everyone involved in it better. The players and coaches are going to be better players and coaches are going to be better because of it. I know it's going to make me because of it. I know it's going to make me a better coach." a better coach." W h i l e t h a t e x p e r i e n c e i s i n v a l u a b l e , W h i l e t h a t e x p e r i e n c e i s i n v a l u a b l e , Feaster is also happy to have that gold medal. Feaster is also happy to have that gold medal. And, of course, her phone. And, of course, her phone. P Brian Lester is a freelance writer based in Pensacola, Fla. MARCH 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 31 I am incredibly proud of the country. St a n d i n g t h e r e a n d wa tc h i n g t h e f la g g o u p a n d h ea r i n g t h e a n t h e m p lay e d, i t wa s a n a m a z i n g m o m e n t ." Team USA captain Cam York presents Theresa Feaster with her gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.