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A Skate With Kate Hallett

By David Cole, 12/31/14, 2:15PM CST

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On paper, Kate Hallett is by all estimations an exceptional student-athlete. She is the Convent of the Visitation School President, the St. Paul United hockey team captain, a Visitation tennis captain, an all-state and all-conference defenseman, all-conference honorable mention in tennis, a USA U18 Hockey National Team final cut, a dedicated student with a 4.16 GPA, a Harvard University commit for 2015, plus she has compiled numerous awards across the academic and athletic landscape. However, in the interview that follows you will learn that it is her character, zest for life, love of people and faith that truly make her so remarkable

David Cole: How did this incredible hockey journey begin for you?

Kate Hallett: My older brother Paul, who just graduated from University of Wisconsin, played and my twin brother Charlie also plays, so, of course, I joined in and naturally fell in love with it.

DC: That is awesome. Can you speak more specifically about how your brothers impacted you, and in particular how your twin Charlie impacted you? He had to be huge motivator?

KH: I remember going to Paul’s games when we were younger and having so much fun running around the rink. Charlie is a goalie at St. Thomas Academy. He always gives me tips on where to shoot. When we train in summers, he oftentimes sets up drills in the garage. He might say, “All right, you sprint through this agility course, then I will pass it to you, take a one-timer, then do 10 push-ups.” Still to this day, as seniors, we regularly head to the basement to stickhandle, play one on one. He pushes me to be better.

DC: What parts of your game are you looking to improve upon this season?

KH: Quicker decision making. Sometimes I almost try to do too much. I circle back and attempt a cool move, but in reality I need to get the puck off my stick. And also I want to go into the corner and transition forward as fast as I can.

DC: Why did your family choose Visitation?

KH: At the time I was deciding between a number of different high schools. Visitation, for me, was not all about hockey, though I am so blessed to have found this tremendous program at United. Words cannot describe how happy I am here. Visitation is an incredibly close faith-based Catholic community. All the girls are so kind. I truly believe that it is a home for every single student. It is a huge blessing. And I could feel it when I shadowed as an eighth-grader. It is a tremendous education and an irreplaceable experience.

DC: How have you seen the St. Paul United program grow over the years?

KH: It is funny. We were actually talking about this at dinner tonight in regard to how much the program has improved in the last three years. Not to say that our past coaches were not wonderful, but the coaches from last year and this season have really stepped it up and they are not accepting anything less. And that is what we want. The skill level and commitment level are just 80 times higher than ever before.

DC: Wow.

KH: We have taken the program to where it is just the norm now. It is the norm that we work hard. It is the norm that we show up to the rink looking nice. It is the norm that we exhibit strong character. Even that first state tournament appearance, it was incredible. I just think that there are so many great years to come. I am jealous of the years to come. The program is just going to keep getting better and better.

DC: What is your St. Paul United highlight so far?

KH: (Smiling) The State Tournament last year. It was incredible. I don’t think, and obviously, I am biased, that there is another team out there like us. We never have any drama. We all love each other. We are constantly dying laughing, having the time of our lives. But we know when to be serious and when to put the work in. And making that trip to the X with that team, with that perfect group of girls was unreal.

DC: Well said. Athletics teaches us many things, among them, how to handle adversity. How did you handle not making the USA Hockey U18 National Team?

KH: (Becoming emotional) I still remember that Monday morning clearly when they are listing off the names and I didn’t hear ‘Hallett.’ And it was like a nightmare. Every girl experiences this in hockey. You put in so much time, especially in the summer – 3 or 4 hours a day into this sport. It is not just a sport, it is almost a lifestyle. It really becomes who you are. It helps you develop work ethic, good character, good morals, relationships beyond belief. So it was really, really, really hard. It was probably one of the hardest things I have gone though. But when I came home from camp, the amount of love that I felt from friends and family was beyond supportive. Hockey is an unreal sport, but it is a sport; family and friends come before that. And they just urged me to get back up and just say, “All right, I am not quitting. I am going to become better and better.” And I took what the coaches at the U18 Camp told me to do and I am implementing that into my game now. USA Hockey is incredible and a blessing to our nation. It just makes me want to work even harder to be part of it again one day in the future. It was an amazing experience.

DC: You are a leader at school and on the ice, how did your leadership skills develop over the years?

KH: My parents have had a huge impact on that. They are incredible people. I will never be able to repay them for all that they have given me. The character they show every day has helped shape me into the young woman I am. Also, coaches along the way like Dean Williamson in youth hockey and Winny Brodt in high school hockey have been very influential. They all just displayed incredible love, work ethic and good character, which I hope to show my teammates. If you do not have character, then I do not care if you are a good hockey player – your play does not mean that much to me. But if you are genuinely a good person with good character and you work hard and sacrifice for your teammates, then it makes you an even better player. All those people have taught me that, including the coaches at United. I have been blessed to be surrounded by great people.

DC: You are a Harvard commit. What does attending and playing hockey for such a world renowned institution mean to you?

KH: I have said this word a lot, but honestly, it is just a blessing. I would never have envisioned this a few years ago. It still has not even hit me. It is a dream. Every time I have been fortunate enough to visit the Harvard campus I fall more and more in love with it. With my coaches as well – Katey Stone is incredible; I respect her so much. And the assistant coaches are great – Maura Crowell, Laura Bellamy and Mark Hanson. They are all amazing people. It is a blessing and it will be an amazing journey. I am so psyched.

DC: I have one more question and perhaps Coach John Cole, who has joined us, may then want to ask a question. Every holiday season we ask all the United players what they are thankful for. What are you thankful for?

KH: So many things. My family, my faith, my friends and especially my team this year. Because our season runs through the winter, we get to share some wonderful Christmas memories. But, honestly, there is no other place than the rink that I would rather spend time at. Our team is so incredible this year. Every single girl has a special place in my heart. In that locker room the chemistry is unreal. It is incredible to be part of this United Hockey community. It has brought me the utmost joy every single joy. It is a blessing and I am very thankful.

John Cole: You bring up faith a lot. As a young person, how did you come to be so comfortable raising it with your peers and others?

KH: My family. I have parents who are so reverent. They brought me up in the faith. Now I am old enough to choose this faith. They are such holy people. They are really incredible.

DC: That’s great.

KH: Being surrounded by incredible people and incredible memories and blessings – amazing. (Becomes emotional) Even those little moments make me ask, “How can there not be a God?” These people are my life.

DC: It is a great question that Coach John raises because it is rare that someone of your age is so comfortable talking about faith. Secondly, as he alludes to, it comes across as so genuine. It is heartfelt with you.  It is beyond reproach.  So, don’t change that.

KH: Thank you.

DC: You are welcome.