Meet Mackenzie O’Leary!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Mackenzie (Mac) O’Leary.  I am 14 years old and from Beverly, MA.  I started ice-skating at about three years old on a backyard rink my dad built.  I signed up for “Learn to skate” shortly after.   I played ice hockey for Beverly Youth Hockey from Mites up until I was a second year PeeWee.  My team won the VHL championship AAA division to cap off my final year!  The next year I made the decision to transition to an all-girls team. I played for the North Shore Vipers for two years.  In that time we won numerous tournament championships, one State Championship and two National Championships! My experience with the North Shore Vipers was amazing!

This coming year I will be going to The Winchendon School as a ninth grader.  I am very excited and proud to be playing ice hockey for this school! For this upcoming spring and summer I will be playing for NA Elite (North American Elite).  I will also be playing for “CPC” The Collegiate Prospect Combine, which will provide a select group of 34 elite female hockey players the opportunity to develop and hone their skills throughout the fall by training with and competing against the very best NCAA Division I prospects in the Northeast.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador because I want to spread news about women’s hockey, and try to help unite female ice hockey players that are as passionate and enthusiastic about the sport as I am.  I also want to strive to become a role model for younger kids to look up to… there are so many strong and determined female ice hockey athletes that I have admired.  Hockey has given me so many opportunities!  This sport needs to continue to grow and continue to give females of all ages the chance to compete at any level!

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I’m looking forward to meeting and connecting with amazing, strong, and dedicated women and being able to share the same passion and enthusiasm for ice hockey with them!

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I love everything retro, like the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I love how everything used to be in those times… I am specifically interested in music and movies in or around the 80s.  Anything that evokes the spirit of the 80s!  The 80s expressed imagination, innocence, and the ability to think anything was possible!

If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with Meghan Duggan. She has been my role model since I was little and just getting into ice hockey. Not only is Meghan Duggan extremely talented, she’s also a huge advocate for women’s hockey! I have followed Meghan’s ice hockey career and I will continue to try to emulate her work ethic, her positive citizenship, and her devotion to women’s sports!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

I have received a lot of great advice from some amazing coaches I’ve been lucky to have over the years!  The best advice I have been given and that has stuck with me is from my Coach Marty Pierce: “Do everything with 100% effort and enthusiasm.  Be a loyal and hardworking teammate, put your team first and your individuality second.”

These are thoughts that I carry with me and put to use on a daily basis.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

My dream for women’s hockey is that it becomes equally or even more powerful than men’s ice hockey. Women’s hockey is underrated and deserves better.  It is slowly gaining the accreditation that it deserves! I am so thankful for programs like Women’s Hockey Life for highlighting and promoting all facets of females involved in the sport of ice hockey. I am thankful that women’s ice hockey is in the process of being unified and producing enormous positive changes.  My hopes are that this powerful movement continues to gain momentum and continues to grow!

Interested in becoming a #WHLAmbassador?

Apply here!