Athletics
BK Selects
ON THE BK BEAT: PRE-NATIONALS Q&A WITH 19U HEAD COACH CHELSEA WALKLAND
AMHERST, N.Y. — It’s not quite a home game, but it’s close.
As it's been only one year since many of the current BK Selects 19Us earned the first girls USA Hockey championship in program history, this year's group figured to be more comfortable than most on the Nationals stage.
But add in the fact that they barely have to travel for this year’s event, and it makes it even more of a golden opportunity. In a 2025-26 season that has featured several BK alums winning Olympic gold with Team USA and NCAA championships with Wisconsin — and in some cases, both! — there’s a chance to continue that title trend this week in greater Buffalo.
As it's been only one year since many of the current BK Selects 19Us earned the first girls USA Hockey championship in program history, this year's group figured to be more comfortable than most on the Nationals stage.
But add in the fact that they barely have to travel for this year’s event, and it makes it even more of a golden opportunity. In a 2025-26 season that has featured several BK alums winning Olympic gold with Team USA and NCAA championships with Wisconsin — and in some cases, both! — there’s a chance to continue that title trend this week in greater Buffalo.
AMHERST, N.Y. — It’s not quite a home game, but it’s close.
As it's been only one year since many of the current BK Selects 19Us earned the first girls USA Hockey championship in program history, this year's group figured to be more comfortable than most on the Nationals stage.
But add in the fact that they barely have to travel for this year’s event, and it makes it even more of a golden opportunity. In a 2025-26 season that has featured several BK alums winning Olympic gold with Team USA and NCAA championships with Wisconsin — and in some cases, both! — there’s a chance to continue that title trend this week in greater Buffalo.
Once again, both BK girls teams will put it all on the line at Nationals, as the 10th-seeded 16Us clinched an automatic bid by winning the New York state tournament earlier this month. The 19Us didn’t have to fight their way out of the Empire State; their body of work this season earned them the third overall seed this week.
Second-year 19U Head Coach and BK Training Development Program Director Chelsea Walkland shared her thoughts on the season at large, her squad's strengths, and how outside inspiration can make a difference when the puck is dropped at Northtown Center ...
--
Q: What did you learn from last year's Nationals experience and how has that affected the preparation for the tournament?
WALKLAND: Last year we learned that the work that you do to be at your best happens throughout the year. You are not cramming for a test. Stacking good days, when you are investing in yourself on and off the ice, over time, earns confidence and allows our players to play free and really go for it at Nationals. Once the tournament starts, anything can happen. Playing our game, playing for each other and facing any adversity that comes your way together as a team helps give you an opportunity for success.
Q: What do you feel are the team's strengths this season?
WALKLAND: The strength of our team this season has been our adaptability and our growth mindset. Our players have become accustomed to playing with different people throughout the season and have also responded well to adjustments that we have made throughout the year. We are so proud of the growth and development that our players have achieved individually and collectively as a team this season. From our first practices and games of the year, it has been truly incredible to see the growth in our group. We have done a great job of showing up to compete each day and being reflective on areas that we can try to sharpen and improve.
Q: What, if anything, has surprised you about this year?
WALKLAND: I have been pleasantly surprised by this group's ability to learn and grow at a rapid rate. We started the year out with some ups and downs, and the way that each individual was able to invest in themselves to help strengthen the group has been remarkable.
Q: How did the Olympic performance of BK alumni inspire those involved with the program?
WALKLAND: Seeing our alumni competing at the Olympics has been incredibly inspiring for our whole community. It’s powerful for our players to see someone who was recently in their exact position go on to achieve that level. It makes those dreams feel real and attainable. Their impact still drives our culture today and continues to raise the standard for what’s possible.
—
The 19Us begin their journey at Nationals with three round-robin games against the North American (Mass.) Hockey Academy, Chicago (Ill.) Mission and Carolina (N.C.) Jr. Hurricanes, with the first of those Tuesday, March 24. They must finish in the top two of their four-team group to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal round.
The 16Us also start Tuesday with three consecutive days of round-robin action. Head Coach Jake Anderson’s team will battle Shattuck St. Mary’s (Minn.), Team Alaska and East Coast (Mass.) Wizards with the same stakes as the 19Us.
As it's been only one year since many of the current BK Selects 19Us earned the first girls USA Hockey championship in program history, this year's group figured to be more comfortable than most on the Nationals stage.
But add in the fact that they barely have to travel for this year’s event, and it makes it even more of a golden opportunity. In a 2025-26 season that has featured several BK alums winning Olympic gold with Team USA and NCAA championships with Wisconsin — and in some cases, both! — there’s a chance to continue that title trend this week in greater Buffalo.
Once again, both BK girls teams will put it all on the line at Nationals, as the 10th-seeded 16Us clinched an automatic bid by winning the New York state tournament earlier this month. The 19Us didn’t have to fight their way out of the Empire State; their body of work this season earned them the third overall seed this week.
Second-year 19U Head Coach and BK Training Development Program Director Chelsea Walkland shared her thoughts on the season at large, her squad's strengths, and how outside inspiration can make a difference when the puck is dropped at Northtown Center ...
--
Q: What did you learn from last year's Nationals experience and how has that affected the preparation for the tournament?
WALKLAND: Last year we learned that the work that you do to be at your best happens throughout the year. You are not cramming for a test. Stacking good days, when you are investing in yourself on and off the ice, over time, earns confidence and allows our players to play free and really go for it at Nationals. Once the tournament starts, anything can happen. Playing our game, playing for each other and facing any adversity that comes your way together as a team helps give you an opportunity for success.
Q: What do you feel are the team's strengths this season?
WALKLAND: The strength of our team this season has been our adaptability and our growth mindset. Our players have become accustomed to playing with different people throughout the season and have also responded well to adjustments that we have made throughout the year. We are so proud of the growth and development that our players have achieved individually and collectively as a team this season. From our first practices and games of the year, it has been truly incredible to see the growth in our group. We have done a great job of showing up to compete each day and being reflective on areas that we can try to sharpen and improve.
Q: What, if anything, has surprised you about this year?
WALKLAND: I have been pleasantly surprised by this group's ability to learn and grow at a rapid rate. We started the year out with some ups and downs, and the way that each individual was able to invest in themselves to help strengthen the group has been remarkable.
Q: How did the Olympic performance of BK alumni inspire those involved with the program?
WALKLAND: Seeing our alumni competing at the Olympics has been incredibly inspiring for our whole community. It’s powerful for our players to see someone who was recently in their exact position go on to achieve that level. It makes those dreams feel real and attainable. Their impact still drives our culture today and continues to raise the standard for what’s possible.
—
The 19Us begin their journey at Nationals with three round-robin games against the North American (Mass.) Hockey Academy, Chicago (Ill.) Mission and Carolina (N.C.) Jr. Hurricanes, with the first of those Tuesday, March 24. They must finish in the top two of their four-team group to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal round.
The 16Us also start Tuesday with three consecutive days of round-robin action. Head Coach Jake Anderson’s team will battle Shattuck St. Mary’s (Minn.), Team Alaska and East Coast (Mass.) Wizards with the same stakes as the 19Us.
(Photo: BK Selects)
About Bishop Kearney
Bishop Kearney High School is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Irondequoit, New York, USA, a suburb of Rochester.
Resources
© Bishop Kearney High School. All Rights Reserved