Sami Jo Small

Olympic Gold Medalist, World Championship MVP, CWHL Co-founder

Travels From Travels From:
Toronto, Canada
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Sami Jo Small Biography

Sami Jo Small grew up on the outdoor rinks of Winnipeg. Her childhood rink, the Norberry Community Centre in St Vital now bears her name as the Sami Jo Small Hockey facility. She started playing at an early age following in her older brother Luke's footsteps. While he didn't last long in hockey, instead opting to pursue the other family passion of swimming, Small was hooked. Whether playing street hockey with her friends or suiting up alongside her male teammates, Small's drive was evident every time she stepped on the ice or strapped on a pair of pads.

She played in the boys AA and AAA system for the St Vital Victoria's and Winnipeg Warriors before teams for girls existed. She played her first women's hockey tournament at the age of 14, lining up on defense at the Canada Winter Games in 1991 when women's hockey made its debut. Women's hockey was just starting to take off after Canada hosted the first women's world championships in 1990. Despite her involvement in many other sports and school endeavors, Small chose to focus on track and field at Stanford University, where she competed in discus and javelin. She was a valuable member of the Stanford track and field team that competed in NCAA championships. During her time at Stanford, she also played on the men's hockey team, earning PAC-10 MVP honors.

Small first joined Canada's national women's hockey team in the 1997-1998 season as the third goalie at the first women's Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998, where Canada won silver. She went on to become Canada's starting goaltender in 1999. Canada won five World Championships during her tenure ('99, '00, '01, '04, '07), and Small was twice named Championship MVP. She also competed in two more Olympic Games in 2002 (Salt Lake City, USA) and 2006 (Torino, Italy), helping Canada win two Olympic Gold medals.

Small's professional hockey career began with the Brampton Thunder in 1999, then moving to the Toronto Aeros. She played with the Aeros until 2018, capturing two National and League Championships in 2003 and 2004. In 2007, after the demise of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), Small helped start the Canadian Women's Hockey League and served as the league's first vice chairman. She continued to play elite hockey for the Toronto Furies and served as the General Manager for the team in the 2018-2019 season.

Small has been speaking professionally since 1997, using her extensive experience in sports to convey messages on teamwork, leadership, and motivation. Off the ice, she owns a hockey school that operates across four provinces in Canada. Her speaking topics include Olympics, Leadership, Team Building, Entrepreneurship, Change, Motivation, Inspiration, Success, Women, Diversity, Equity, Workforce, and Athletes/Sports, reflecting her diverse experiences and expertise.

In 2011, Small married PEI native Billy Bridges in a ceremony in Mississauga. Billy is a highly accomplished athlete in sledge hockey, having competed in five Paralympic games. They have a daughter, Kensi, who enjoys dancing.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/13/2024.

Sami Jo Small Videos

  • Sami Jo Small - Gold Medal Olympian & Motivational Speaker
    As a goalie for the Canadian women's hockey team, Sami Jo Small has won five World Championships; twice been named championship MVP; and is a...
  • Sami Jo Small shares stories about Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team
  • Sami Jo Small On Her New Book & The Future Of Women's Hockey

Sami Jo Small Books

  • The Role I Played: Canada's Greatest Olympic Hockey Team
    The Role I Played: Canada's Greatest Olympic Hockey Team

FAQs on booking Sami Jo Small

  • How do I book Sami Jo Small to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sami Jo Small for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Sami Jo Small, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Sami Jo Small or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Sami Jo Small

    Speaking fees for Sami Jo Small, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sami Jo Small are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sami Jo Small, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Sami Jo Small speak about?

    Sami Jo Small is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Empowerment, Hockey, Influential Women, Innovation, Leadership, Motivational, Olympic Athlete, Personal Growth, Sports.
  • Where does Sami Jo Small travel from?

    Sami Jo Small generally travels from Toronto, Canada, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Sami Jo Small’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Sami Jo Small for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Sami Jo Small for your next private or corporate function.
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Sami Jo Small is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Sami Jo Small for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Sami Jo Small generally travels from TorontoCanada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Ashley Caldwell, Jackie Edwards, Jan Reynolds, Hayley Wickenheiser and Dominique Dawes. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sami Jo Small for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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