Namita Nayyar:
Nutrition is fuel for a high-performance engine. What does a typical day of eating look like for you, both on a busy game day and during a recovery day?
Kristin O’Neill:
Not only is food fuel for me, but cooking is one of my favorite pass times and hobbies, so I really enjoy this aspect of high performance. a typical day of eating starts with a calorie dense breakfast, a big bowl of oatmeal or eggs, toast, and cottage cheese and of course a coffee. Usually training starts around 9-10am so I usually bring a snack with me so I’m not starving when lunch rolls around. a typical snack would consist of a piece of fruit, or a protein bar or smoothie.
Lunch is different every day. I am provided with lunch during the season, and we are lucky to have great options, like chicken or salmon, rice or pasta and salad. A snack between lunch and dinner is almost always a given, something like crackers, veggies, and hummus. Dinner is different every day for me, i usually try to make a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks and focus on using whole, colorful foods!
Namita Nayyar:
Life as a pro hockey player means constant travel, early mornings, and a lot of time at the rink. Do you have a simplified skin care or hair care routine that helps you feel fresh and put-together amidst the chaos of the season?
Kristin O’Neill:
I have come to find new ways of routine on the road amongst the chaos. I have also come to appreciate and really value my time at home, when not traveling. Finding efficient routines is important but also just being consistent with things like sleep, hydration and fueling is just as important to me!
Namita Nayyar:
You are now established as a key part of a young, exciting core in New York alongside the likes of Sarah Fillier and Kayle Osborne. What are your personal and team goals for the remainder of this season and beyond with the Sirens?
Kristin O’Neill:
My goal remains the same no matter what team I am on, to win a Walter cup. Anything shy of that to me would be a loss. The reality is that it is very challenging, especially in a league where only 4 teams make playoffs. I think we have such a spry, eager team that we will find a way to put ourselves in the best possible position to achieve that.
Namita Nayyar:
With a silver medal from 2026 and multiple World Championship golds already on your resume, what’s the next big milestone you’re chasing? Is it a Walter Cup? Another Olympic run in 2030?
Kristin O’Neill:
I am currently chasing a Walter cup. I do have my eye on the 2030 Olympics but am trying my best to stay in the present, enjoy the now while using the confidence I gained from being a part of the 2026 Olympic team.
Namita Nayyar:
You’ve come a long way from Oakville to Olympian. For the young hockey players in Ontario who dream of playing in the PWHL and for Canada, what is the best piece of advice you can give them about the dedication it takes to get here?
Kristin O’Neill:
The best advice I can give to the young hockey players who dream of playing in the PWHL and for Canada would be the following:
Everyone path looks different. There is not ‘right’ answer to achieving these goals. Focusing on your own timeline, your own path is crucial.
Resilience. I can almost guarantee that you will fail at least once. You will not realize it in the moment, but it is often the failures and setbacks that spring you forward. Take my story for example, I owe a lot of my success to the person I became after getting cut from the 2022 Olympic team. Enjoy the process. I have met lifelong friends and traveled the globe for hockey. It has brought me some of my most favorite memories. At the end of the day, if you don’t enjoy it, you will not be your best.
Kristin O’Neill Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinoneill20/
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