SCORE BOARD

With the eyes of the world on PyeongChang this month, Hockey Canada and Samsung Canada have collaborated to give fans a unique perspective on what it takes to be an Olympic athlete.

The Journey follows Canada’s National Women’s Team through the intensive six-month centralization process, with the focus on three players in particular – goaltender Shannon Szabados and forwards Rebecca Johnston and Natalie Spooner.

Szabados and Johnston are two-time Olympic gold medallists, having stood atop the podium at both Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, while Spooner earned her gold medal four years ago in Russia. Their experiences allow them to speak candidly about the ups and downs of centralization, and what reaching the Olympics means.

Hockey Canada and Samsung Canada partnered to embed a videographer with the national team as it played games in every corner of Alberta and across North America as part of its PyeongChang preparations, getting access to Team Canada everywhere – on the bus, during off-ice training, in the dressing room and on the ice.

The videos highlight the Samsung Galaxy Note8 message of #DoBiggerThings, which aims to inspire Canadians to push through boundaries at every opportunity and strive to achieve their goals.

The Journey celebrates the three athletes while bringing their Olympic experience to life, showing how they #DoBiggerThings, and how Samsung technology enables them to navigate those challenges in the intense lead-up to the Games.

“Samsung is a proud and long-time supporter of amateur and Olympic sports, both in Canada and around the world,” said Mark Childs, chief marketing officer, Samsung Canada. “Our partnership with Hockey Canada highlights and inspires all Canadians to #DoBiggerThings just like Rebecca, Natalie and Shannon, as they confidently reach for Canada's fifth gold medal this year in PyeongChang.”

“Hockey Canada is committed to working with its partners to create and deliver win-win marketing platforms to engage Canadians and bring them closer to the sport they love,” said Mike Ross, chief business development officer, Hockey Canada. “Through our dynamic partnership, Samsung Canada and Hockey Canada have given Canadians a behind-the-scenes look and insight into Canada’s National Women’s Team.”

The Journey launched Jan. 13, 2018 on the Samsung Canada YouTube channel and at HockeyCanada.ca, with social media support on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.