Danielle Grega

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Meet Danielle Grega

Team: U.S. Women's National Team
Position: Forward
Stick: Pro Tour 100 Next Bow

"My mom played when she was young, and then a few of my friends started playing and I just picked it up too. And I've been playing ever since."

Her biggest inspiration is close to home: "My family are my biggest supporters. They will come to every game, even when I was in college. They love the sport as much as I do."

What the Game Means to Her

"Being able to develop as a person, getting to step out of my comfort zone and being able to do things I never expected to be able to do."

Representing Club and Country

"There's only so many people who can say that they've done what we're doing — who've worn that USA jersey and stood out there and represented their country at that level. It is a dream come true, it is an absolute honor, and getting to play against other countries like that brings so much pride."

Routines On and Off the Field

"I just have a cup of coffee, get my hair braided, and bop to some music. I don't really have a ritual."

"We are very lucky to have balance in our day-to-day life. We are done around noon, and can then do other things on the side, such as work, coach, etc. We're based in Charlotte, NC, and it's a great place to be. The city is a lot of fun — it's young and lively and there's a lot of opportunities."

What makes her happy: "Being around people that make you happy. My friends, and family, just good vibes in general. Travelling is also something I love doing. We are so fortunate to have so much of that with our job — seeing all these really cool places with people I love, it's just insane." Outside of hockey, she likes going out to dinner with friends on the weekends, exploring the city, and spending time with family and loved ones.

Staying on top of her game comes down to the resources around her: "We are very lucky to have a lot of resources within our organization — like a psychologist, a nutritionist, and a lot of good recovery tools. There's a lot of resources in place to support us on a daily basis."

Looking Ahead

"Ideally, Paris 2024. But I would just love to play at the Olympics, even if it's not until Los Angeles 2028. I think that's every athlete's dream — qualifying for it, being there, and playing in that environment at that highest level. It's the pinnacle of probably any sport. It's a big dream."

On where the sport is headed: "The style of play has evolved so much over the last few years. Five years ago nobody was throwing aerials as much as they are now. The game is evolving, becoming more quick, dynamic and 3D, and I'm excited to see what is coming."

The Osaka Partnership

"Everybody is always talking about my pink shoes. Osaka is so cool. You want it, you want to be a part of it. I love the Osaka lifestyle. It's also amazing how the entire team, and just the company in general, is so passionate about the game. Osaka is at every event and puts a lot of effort into growing the game, and I appreciate that very much."

Advice and Legacy

"I would have never imagined I'd get to this level, so just try to persevere through it. Don't give up."

To her younger self: "It's a process. Nothing happens overnight. I used to be a sore loser, so I'd tell myself to trust in the process, to learn along the way, and to not get too frustrated."

"Play with Osaka! It's the best brand ever."