Team USA Media Summit: Caroline Harvey

But behind the accolades is a player who still carries the same love of the game she had as a kid on backyard ice. Though, admittedly, the pressure now leading into the Olympics is much different this time around.

“The gap is pretty small now,” Harvey said. “I remember this previous World Championship—it was two to one in that semifinal game against the Czech Republic. It could’ve went either way. The podium’s going to look different this time around and it continues to grow in those countries.”

Rivalry Fueled by Fire

Harvey knows better than anyone that Team USA and Canada don’t need help finding motivation.

“It’s expected, especially playing Canada—they don’t like us very much,” she said. “So it’s more motivating than anything, and personally it fuels the fire and makes us want to beat them more than ever.”

But there’s a balance between intensity and control.

“As much as it’s competitive and can fuel your fire, you have to stay kind of levelheaded because you don’t want to lose the game,” Harvey explained. “You want to be working on those things for the long-term—like the Olympics—thinking ahead.”

And while fans might not expect much trash talk in women’s hockey, Harvey smiled when the topic came up.

“Yeah, definitely,” she said. “I remember actually one of my first Rivalries, before the last Olympics—I kind of got in a scrap. I think it was with Jenner…I don’t remember what was said, but it was like a fight. So it was the first fight I’ve been in. Our helmets didn’t come off, but it was a fight.”

Becoming a Leader

Harvey’s first Olympics were about learning. She was the youngest player on Team USA in Beijing 2022, where the U.S. earned silver amid pandemic restrictions. Now, she’s grown into a veteran voice ready for a new challenge.

“In that past Olympics it was more of being a sponge, and I still always am—I’m trying to learn something new every day from the veterans,” she said. “But yeah, it was definitely a different experience. Now having had some more experience, I’m ready to take on whatever comes our way and play as a team and bring that gold medal back home.”

She’s learned from some of the game’s best, including Hillary Knight and Lee Stecklein.

“Those two are just two amazing teammates—some of the most amazing teammates I’ve ever had,” Harvey said. “Lee is the mom of the group…she’s the mom, and she’s always there to be a shoulder to lean on. And Hillary—the legacy she’s had and continues to lead—she’s a true leader. She just keeps impressing all of us.”

The Wisconsin Connection

At the University of Wisconsin, Harvey has thrived under head coach Mark Johnson—the same Mark Johnson from the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” The Badger pipeline to Team USA is undeniable, with Hilary Knight, Laila Edwards, and now Harvey all shaping the program’s legacy.

“Hillary’s a great role model. She was back with the Badgers before us, but she did raise that trail,” Harvey said. “It’s been exciting to see what she did, the legacy she left. I’m just grateful to be able to play with Laila and now be united with Hilary—it’s been a cool experience.”

Edwards, who switches between forward and defense, earned special praise.

“If anyone could do it, it’s Laila,” Harvey said. “She’s so dynamic, so athletic. You could put her honestly probably in goal, and she would perform. She’s incredible.”

Harvey also sees another Badger ready for a breakout.

“Thinking on the younger side, I mean I feel like Kirsten Simms—she’s going to definitely have a breakout year,” she said. “She does so well at Wisconsin. She has so much finesse with the puck, such a great IQ. I think she’ll have a great run.”

The PWHL Effect

Women’s hockey has never been more competitive, and Harvey credits the Professional Women’s Hockey League for helping drive that momentum.

During the Team USA media session, Inside the Rink asked Harvey what kind of impact she hopes to make beyond her play as the sport continues to expand globally.

“Continuously growing in the game with the PWHL and having a sustainable pro league now—it’s phenomenal,” Harvey said. “I hope to just touch younger girls and girls of different ages that hope to maybe play college, Olympic, whatever their dreams and goals are. I hope to inspire them and motivate them to strive for that.”

Later, she added:

“It’s just made everything much more competitive,” she said. “Having those international girls come over to play at such a high level year-round—it’s a cool opportunity and it’s sustainable. It keeps growing, so it’s exciting to see where it’ll be in the next five, ten years.”

Balancing College and the Olympics

This Olympic cycle looks different. With no centralized residency program, Harvey splits her time between Wisconsin and the national team.

“Every three weeks we get together and then when you’re gone, you’re at your university,” she explained. “It’s a much different look, but honestly it’s been a great experience. When we come back, it feels like we’ve never left each other.”

She laughed when asked about academics.

“We’re closing out our academics a little bit…luckily we’re in some online classes, which works out really well,” Harvey said. “But yeah, I actually have an exam tomorrow.”

Adversity and Resilience

Not every chapter has been easy. During her sophomore year, Harvey tore her MPFL ligament—a complete tear that sidelined her for six weeks.

“It was hard,” she said. “It taught me a lot of perspective. I made my return and was really proud of myself for getting through all the PT and having that new perspective.”

Her approach to recovery is methodical now.

“Stretching, ice bathing—all that stuff is so important so you don’t get hurt and can stay healthy,” she said. “You want to recover as hard as you play.”

Even her pregame rhythm is designed for focus.

“Initially, I shut myself off from the rest of the world—mix in some Billie Eilish, and then I’ll crank some EDM and rap,” Harvey said, smiling.

Eyes on Milan

For Harvey, everything points to Milan 2026.

“Stick to our game plan,” she said. “We’ve got to play a consistent sixty minutes. Whenever you let up against that team, they’ll take over. We have to keep our foot on the gas the whole time and just stick to what we’ve been practicing.”

She’s also eager for a more open Olympic experience.

“I’m excited to go to other events and try some different food there—maybe go shopping a bit,” she said with a grin. “It’s going to be really cool to experience the culture.”

This time, family and fans will finally be in the stands.

“It’s going to feel completely different,” Harvey said. “We just can’t wait.”

Beyond the Ice

Off the ice, Harvey is as easygoing as she is competitive. Her TikToks have become a small window into the lighter side of this athlete and her time with Team USA.

“The whammy dance is kind of popular,” she said. “I’ve seen Abby Murphy hit it in college—maybe that’s one we could all do together.”

Whether it’s dancing, studying, or defending the crease, one thing’s certain—Caroline “KK” Harvey is leading the next generation of Team USA with a steady hand and a relentless drive.

SOURCES:

Elite Prospects. (2025). Caroline Harvey – Player Profile. Retrieved October 28, 2025.

United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. (2025, October 25). Team USA Olympic Summit: Caroline Harvey press conference [Press conference transcript]. NBC Olympics / Team USA Media.