Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Women’s Hockey Olympian Lyndsey Fry Is Helping To Change Our World
Your athletic career and professional career are both marathons, not sprints. Trust that hard work overtime will drive results.
As a part of our series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lyndsey Fry.
Lyndsey Fry is an Olympic silver medalist and a trailblazer in growing the game of hockey in non-traditional markets. Born and raised in Arizona, she now leads initiatives like Lyndsey Fry Hockey, the Arizona Kachinas, and the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation to make the sport more accessible and inclusive. Through coaching, public speaking, and community advocacy, she continues to inspire the next generation of athletes — on and off the ice.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the “backstory” that led you to your career path in professional sports?
Growing up in Arizona, hockey wasn’t exactly the obvious path. It’s not like we had frozen ponds in the backyard or a long lineage of NHL legends from the neighborhood. But I fell in love with the game when I first saw the Mighty Ducks movies as a kid and then again, the second I stepped on the ice. I was one of the only girls playing with and against boys, and that competitive fire just grew from there.
What really shaped my journey, though, was a mix of passion and some incredible mentors. I didn’t come from a traditional hockey hotbed, so I had to work that much harder to prove I belonged. Eventually, that led me to Harvard, where I balanced academics and Division I hockey, and then to one of the biggest honors of my life, representing Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics and bringing home a silver medal.
The Olympics weren’t the end of the road, it was a launchpad. I realized how powerful sports can be, not just for winning medals, but for creating a community, inspiring young girls, and growing something bigger than yourself. That’s what really drives me today in everything I do to grow the game here at home in Arizona and beyond.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What were the lessons or takeaways that you took out of that story?
At the Olympics, I was reaching for the salad tongs and accidentally bumped hands with someone else. I looked up to say, “excuse me” and it was Alexander Ovechkin. I was floored. But then I remembered that for those two weeks at the Games, we were both Olympians there competing for our country. We were equals despite back at home he made millions of dollars and women were just on the verge of getting a paid league. It is something that continues to fuel my fight for equality for women’s sports.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Fall deeply in love with the process — not just the outcome.
So often, people see the Olympic medal or the big wins, but they don’t see the early mornings, the injuries, the setbacks, or the moments of doubt. If you want to emulate that kind of success, you must choose it every day — even when it’s hard, even when nobody’s watching.
Also, don’t be afraid to be different. I grew up playing hockey in Arizona when hardly anyone thought that was a “real” hockey state or that girls could play hockey. That uniqueness became my superpower. Embrace where you’re from, what makes you stand out, and use it as fuel. I used to wear a bracelet that said Prove People Wrong for that reason.
Finally, surround yourself with people who push you and believe in you — coaches, teammates, family, friends. No one achieves anything great alone. And when you get the chance, turn around and help someone else up the mountain too. That’s real success.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
Absolutely — there are three people who’ve had a profound and lasting impact on my life: Liz Turgeon, Matt Shott, and Leighton Accardo. Each of them shaped who I am in different, deeply meaningful ways.
Liz Turgeon was my teammate, a best friend, and one of the fiercest, most joyful competitors I’ve ever known. She had this spark — on the ice and in life — that made everyone around her better. Tragically, we lost Liz in a car accident in 2010. I was just 18. It rocked me. However, her legacy stayed with me. Every time I pull on my skates or coach a young player, I carry Liz with me. She reminds me that every moment counts.
Matt Shott was like a brother. He was the heartbeat behind hockey growth in Arizona and a relentless believer in what was possible here. We worked side by side for years to build girls’ hockey from almost nothing into something truly special. Even during his battle with cancer, Matt never stopped advocating for kids. He believed in this game as a force for good, especially in communities that were often overlooked. After we lost him, we created the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation to carry forward his vision. There isn’t a day I walk into the rink and don’t think, What would Matt do?
And then there’s Leighton Accardo. She was only 9 years old when she passed away from cancer, but in those short years, she taught us all what it means to be brave. Leighton was a lightning bolt of positivity. She always had a smile on her face — even when she was fighting the hardest battle of her life. The Arizona Coyotes retired her number, and we honor her through our annual Skatin’ for Leighton event and the Leighton Accardo Memorial Fund, which helps make hockey more accessible to girls who need it. Her legacy reminds me that the impact isn’t about how long you live — it’s about how deeply you live while you’re here.
Each of them left a mark on my heart, and I do what I do today because I want to honor them — not just in words, but through action.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about what it is like being a professional sports player?
One of the biggest myths is that being a professional athlete is all glamor, highlight reels, and endorsement deals. The reality? It’s a grind. It’s early mornings, relentless pressure, mental and physical exhaustion, and a lot of sacrifices, especially in women’s sports where the spotlight isn’t always as bright, and the financial support often doesn’t match the effort.
Also, there’s this idea that once you “make it,” you’re set. That’s just not true. Even at the highest level, you’re constantly proving yourself. There’s always another game, another challenge, another goal. It doesn’t get easier, it just changes. So, the myth I’d love to squash is that the dream is just about reaching the top. The real dream is being resilient enough to stay there, evolve, and use your platform to make a difference.
Ok super. Let’s now move to the main part of our discussion. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you are working on right now?
Absolutely — this is the part that matters most to me.
After the Olympics, I realized that the medal wasn’t just a personal achievement, it was a tool. A tool to inspire, to open doors, and to make hockey more accessible for girls like me who grew up outside the traditional hockey bubble. That’s why I came back home to Arizona and threw myself into growing the game here.
One of the projects closest to my heart is the Arizona Kachinas, a girls hockey program that didn’t even exist when I was growing up. We started small with a learn-to-play program called Small Frys that helps young girls get started in the sport, and now we have hundreds of girls lacing up skates in a state where people used to laugh at the idea of hockey. We’re not just teaching them how to play, we’re giving them confidence, leadership skills, and community.
I also run Lyndsey Fry Hockey, which includes camps and clinics for girls in non-traditional markets who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to learn from an Olympian.
Another cause that means a great deal to me is the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation, which we launched to honor my close friend and former colleague, Matt Shott, who was a tireless champion for growing hockey in Arizona. The foundation continues his work by investing in youth hockey access and helping ensure that any kid in Arizona — regardless of background — has a shot to fall in love with the game through street hockey or ice hockey. We also are starting to use it as a platform to advocate for the return of the NHL to Arizona, because we believe this community deserves a team that reflects the incredible passion that’s been built here.
So, for me, using my success means turning it into opportunities for others. That’s the legacy I care about most.
What methods are you using to most effectively share your cause with the world?
One of the most effective methods I’ve found is simply telling the story. Not just my story, but the stories of the girls, families, and communities who are being impacted by the growth of hockey in Arizona. Whether it’s on social media, in front of a camera, or speaking at events, I’ve learned that people connect deeply when they see the human side of the mission.
We also work hard to create meaningful community events — like Skatin’ for Leighton, our Matt Shott Memorial Tournament, and youth camps that are equal parts of hockey and life skills. These aren’t just events, they’re experiences that bring people together and make them feel like they’re part of something bigger.
I’ve partnered with a PR firm to help amplify these efforts and bring visibility to the work we’re doing, especially as we advocate for the return of the NHL to Arizona through the Matt Shott Arizona Hockey Legacy Foundation. That visibility brings in more donors, more media interest, and more credibility to our mission.
And honestly, one of the most powerful tools has been grassroots word of mouth. When you do good work in your community and stay true to your values, people talk. Parents share their experiences, kids tell their friends, and before you know it, you’re growing a movement.
Lastly, I lean into my platform as an Olympian. That medal opens doors, but it’s what I do with it — how I use it to uplift others — that makes it matter.
Can you share with us the story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
The simplest answer is that everything good I’ve had in life has come through this sport and I want to pass that on to others. There is also the reality that I acknowledge my platform in the Arizona hockey community and my skillset as a leader and feel that it is somewhat my responsibility to drive these initiatives forward for the good of the community.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
We had a girl in our program whose dad sadly committed suicide a few years back. It was devastating. We have since been able to provide that family with financial assistance so that she can continue to play with her friends who rallied around her during that incredibly dark time.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
- Your athletic career and professional career are both marathons, not sprints. Trust that hard work overtime will drive results.
- Building businesses takes a TON of work but the reward of positively impacting others is the most gratifying thing in the world.
- Find something you love and figure out how to make money doing it and I promise you; your adult life will be a lot of fun!
- Surround yourself with people more experienced than you who have your back and want to lift you up.
- Never forget to take care of the people who love you the most: your family. It is easy to get caught up in the craziness of the day to day but no matter what, they still must remain the ultimate priority if you want to be truly happy.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Right now, I’d love to help bring an NHL back to Arizona! Hockey has given me everything good I’ve ever had in my life and the influence of the NHL team coming here in 1996 was a huge reason why I had the opportunity to play. Professional sports teams drive so much good in the community so if we could make that happen here again, I think that would have the most immediate impact on others!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
“Constant dripping hollows out a stone” was my go-to quote while I was training for the Olympics. Every day was a grind, and I was working to just get 1% better, if that, each day. That quote reminded me that even on my hardest days, I was making progress.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
I would LOVE to have breakfast with Julie Andrews. Outside of hockey, I am obsessed with musicals, and I’ve always said she would be #1 on my list for who I would like to meet!
How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram: @lyndsey_fry_18 — Behind-the-scenes of hockey life, community events, and empowering girls in sport
Website: www.fryhockey.com — Camps, clinics, speaking, and more
Arizona Kachinas: @azkachinas — For updates on the girls’ hockey movement in Arizona
Matt Shott Foundation: @azhockeylegacy — Follow the push to grow the game and bring NHL hockey back to Arizona
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring.
Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Women’s Hockey Olympian Lyndsey Fry Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.