Peak
Danielle Serdachny was one of the final cuts from Team Canada’s women’s hockey team. Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Ethan Miller / Getty Images
This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports. Sign up for Peak’s newsletter here.
Danielle Serdachny is a forward for the Seattle Torrent in the PWHL. The 24-year-old was one of the final cuts from Team Canada’s women’s hockey team ahead of the 2026 Olympics.
It was an off day in Boston.
Advertisement
My team, the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, was on a 17-day road trip, and the call wasn’t until the afternoon. It was a slow morning, so I walked around Boston. I wanted to keep my mind off things, but it was almost impossible. I got my nails done, then returned to my hotel room.
When I joined the video call to find out if I’d made Team Canada’s hockey team for the 2026 Olympics, my heart rate was probably at 190 beats per minute. It was the most stress I’ve ever felt. Team Canada’s coaches, general manager and head scout were on the call. As soon as I saw their facial expressions, I knew what was coming.
They got right into it: Unfortunately, you haven’t been selected …
After that, I honestly don’t remember much.
Going into the call, one of the most important things for me was to thank them. Regardless of the outcome, I wanted to make sure that I told them how grateful I was for the opportunity. That’s what was going through my head while they talked. When they finished, I told them it had been one of my greatest honors to wear the maple leaf, and while it was disappointing not to be selected, I wished them nothing but the best.
I was just happy I was able to get some words out.
I called my mom. I think we were on the phone for 30 minutes, but not many words were said. When I heard the news, it kind of broke me in a way. It was the closest thing to heartbreak I’ve experienced. It was something I had dreamt about since I was a little girl. The 2010 Olympics were the first time I saw women’s hockey on TV. When you work so hard and you’re that close to your dream, to fall short leaves a strange, empty feeling.
I still feel that when I talk or think about it.
But I also think it’s important for people to see both sides of something as big as the Olympics. Everyone sees the incredible moments, the athletes at the Olympics, but there’s also the other side of it. There were seven of us who didn’t make the Canadian team. The heartbreak and mental side of sports are part of the journey too. Those experiences shape who you are.
One thing that helped me was perspective. One week before the team selection, my parents called to tell me my grandma was in the hospital. Doctors believed she had Stage 4 lung cancer and brain tumors. In a short period of time, it felt like my heart was breaking in two different ways. But because I didn’t make the Olympic team, I was able to go home and say one final goodbye to her before she passed away on Feb. 15.
Advertisement
One part that still hurts — and probably always will — is that my grandma was the biggest fan of her grandkids. Even in her final days, all she wanted to do was watch us play. She never got the chance to see me play in the Olympics while she was here, but I hope she’ll be watching over me and will get to see that moment one day.
At first, I struggled with the feeling that I had let people down. But I quickly realized that my friends and family still love and support me just the same. I’ve tried to acknowledge that it’s OK to fail.
I’m still going through it — I’m still experiencing and feeling different emotions every single day — but I’ve also learned how strong I can be. Just showing up every day and trying to be a great teammate, friend and family member has helped me. There are so many things in life you can’t control, but you can control how you respond and how you move forward. There are still so many ways I can impact the people around me, and this realization has meant everything.
Over the past few months, I started working with a mental performance coach, and he’s given me different tools: journaling, visualization and breath work.
I’m an emotional person, but in a team environment, it’s important not to let those emotions affect the people around you. Taking three deep breaths has been really important when my emotions are running high or things aren’t going as I expected or planned.
Through journaling, I’ve found a new power in writing things down. There’s just something about getting a pen and paper and writing down your thoughts. Even when someone asks something so general like, how are you feeling, it’s easy to answer in your head, but to physically write your feelings down and reflect just offers a deeper meaning.
I’ve tried to accept that everyone’s journey looks a little different, and I’ve tried not to compare myself to others. Comparison doesn’t help at all in the end. Instead of thinking, why is this person there and I’m not, I’ve tried to frame it this way: What can I do better? What is this person doing that I can learn from? What can I take away from this?
Not making the Olympic team has made me even hungrier to make the next one.
Advertisement
I love hockey so much. It’s a huge part of who I am. But this experience has also reminded me that life is bigger than the game. Being able to go home and say goodbye to my grandma before she passed away was something I’ll always be grateful for.
Moments like this don’t define who I am. They simply become part of the story that shapes the person I’m still becoming. My dream is still the same, even if the path to it looks a little different than I imagined.
— As told to Jayson Jenks
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today's puzzle
Hockey News