Emerging with the gold medal at the 2024 ISBHF World Championships, there are no shortage of feel-good stories for the victorious American team. Among the most compelling sees Pam Bilger make history, her name entrenched among USA Ball Hockey’s legends.
Serving as team captain for the US roster that captured the gold medal at the 2022 ISBHF Masters, Bilger enjoys the revered distinction of two ball hockey gold’s in the Stars and Stripes. Adding to the sense of glorious achievement is the fascinating fact that both tournaments represented the first time that the US claimed gold in those respective events.
Making the feat so much more memorable for a jubilant Bilger is that both teams featured a trio of great friends and valued teammates. Joining Bilger in this celebrated club of double gold includes Katharina (Kat) Helling, a former field hockey star for the University of Albany, Meghan Lavery, who calls Bilger a teammate in the NBHL, plus Karen Levin, who also represented the US in ice hockey at the Maccabiah Games.
The opportunity to call them teammates in the Stars and Stripes again saw dynasty and destiny collide. Prior to the Masters, Bilger belonged to the US roster that emerged with their second straight silver medal at the 2019 ISBHF Worlds. Unforeseen at the time, the next two years would see the sporting world crippled over pandemic fears. With life in general completely disrupted, Bilger was forced to realize that the 2019 edition of the World’s may have been her last hurrah with the Senior team.
In storybook fashion, the 2022 Masters proved rejuvenating and restorative. With the golden outcome instilling hope that the golden dream with the Senior team remained very much alive, the legacy of the Masters held multiple meaning for a confident and highly motivated Bilger.
(L-R): Meghan Lavery, Katharina Helling, Bilger and Karen Levin
“There were four players on the 2022 Masters Team and the 2024 Senior Team; Kat Helling, Megan Lavery, Karen Levin and me. I am so proud of the four of us and what we were able to accomplish at the senior and master level. It was remarkable to see them compete in Switzerland. The only way you would know their age is from the roster, not their play on the rink
Winning gold with the Masters team gave me the motivation to try out for the senior team again. I thought 2019 was going to be my last experience on the senior team. I was thrilled to win the silver in 2019, but disappointed to not achieve that ultimate goal.”
Undoubtedly, the biggest test for Bilger and her teammates involved the semifinal rematch versus eternal rival Canada. Suffering their only preliminary round loss in a visceral clash against their Canadian counterparts, the intensity of the semifinal felt like a gold medal game.
Prior to the 2024 ISBHF Worlds, the biggest win of Bilger’s incredible career took place versus Canada at the 2022 Masters. Marking the first time that Bilger was on an American roster that prevailed versus Canada, the win took on greater meaning as it was for the gold medal. Fittingly, Levin was one of the goal scorers in the 2-1 final.
Mirroring the magnitude of the 2022 Masters, Bilger, along with Levin, Helling and Lavery, enjoyed the rare feat of beating the powerhouse Canadians twice. Although the rivalry represents one that Bilger respects, able to defeat such an opponent allowed for more than the opportunity to finish atop the podium. The magnitude of such success found Bilger in greater admiration of her teammates talents.
“While we were happy about the win, we kept our focus on the goal, which was the gold medal. The coaching staff and the captain did an excellent job of allowing us to win but reminded us that the job was not done. We had to focus on the next opponent.
I do not think the magnitude of finally beating Canada hit me until after the tournament was over. This was my sixth world championships for the senior team. In the previous five, we never won against Canada. Although the US senior team beat Canada in 2017, I did not play that year.
In reality, prior to these Worlds, I participated in ten World Championships (Masters and Senior Teams combined) and only beat them once with the Masters team in 2022. Canada is always a strong, skilled and well coached team. You know a team is special and talented when we can beat such a formidable opponent.”
Defeating the Czech Republic in the gold medal game, avenging the loss from the 2017 Finals, the entire team rose to the occasion. Fittingly, Bilger earned an assist in the 3-0 win. Collaborating with fellow blueliner Chelsea Monahan, both assisted on a goal by Megan Fortier, providing the US with a two goal advantage.
Although Bilger’s focus entailed winning, not fully absorbing the assist until later, said assist served as the exclamation point on a brilliant comeback with the senior team.
“I must be honest; I did not even realize I had an assist until the next day. I was too busy celebrating that we finally won the elusive gold medal. This was a full team effort form start to finish. It was amazing to see different players step up each game. No one focused on the stat sheets. We just focused on winning each shift, each period, and each game.”
With a competitive journey in ISBHF play spanning an incredible 15 years, Bilger was among the empowering women that helped build the US national team. While Bilger can be identified as both pioneer and champion, her greatest achievement is that of role model.
Inspiring teammates and aspiring players alike, Bilger’s body of work is destined to be a legendary source of inspiration. As a three sport star in high school, serving as captain of the field hockey and softball teams, Bilger is currently a celebrated fixture in Philadelphia’s ball hockey leagues. Forever proud of her efforts to contribute towards raising the national team to world class standing, future players definitely have an outstanding legacy to build upon. As a golden journey two years in the making assures her legacy, the humility and maturity in her sentiments regarding this fascinating time truly encompasses the leadership and character she always brought to the roster.
“I was proud of what we accomplished (in 2019) and accepted that I would never get the chance to experience a gold medal with the senior team. The 2022 Masters experience reinvigorated my love for the game and desire to compete. That experience made me realize I really wanted to try out one more time for the senior team.
Tryouts for this team were competitive, the most competitive I have experience. The final tryout in Pittsburgh was the most competitive hockey I played in the US. Anyone that participated or watched that tryout knew this team had the talent to do something special.
At the end of the day, I was fortunate to be a part of this team and finally achieve the ultimate goal, the gold medal. I am grateful to the coaching staff and my teammates for this cherished experience. Definitely, I am excited to see what the future has in store for the US Women’s National Team.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
USA Ball Hockey portraits of Bilger with gold medal (including use in Feature Image) by: Caplan with a C Photography
Other images supplied by Pam Bilger
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