IPF doesn't generally allow us to swear. Sometimes there are younger athletes walking around and Walter is always telling us we have to be able to control our temper and not give opponents the advantage of knowing that we're upset. Typically, if somebody throws out a pretty loud F-bomb, the whole group has to stop and do some form of punishment.

That rule applies to everyone except Brianna Decker, who has a limit of three F-bombs per workout before any punishment begins to apply. Not because she gets special treatment or anything like that, but because we would literally never get out of the gym before dark if we had to stop and do something every time Decks swore when she didn't do something perfectly.

Duggan always jokes that Decks has the sense of humor of a 13-year-old boy. I feel like I have the sense of humor of a 12-year-old boy, so naturally, Decks and I crushed it all winter. I'd try to be her partner whenever I could. We'd rip a set of trap bar squats, crack an immature joke that no one else would laugh at in-between sets, then do it over and over for months on end. She's my spirit animal, except for the fact that she lifts 100 pounds more than me. Whatever though- I always had the cooler trainers.

Despite the F-bomb situation, Decks told us, "If I wasn't playing hockey I think that I would be working with kids somehow. Whether that be through sports or through other organizations, I enjoy working with kids to help them achieve their goals."

Decks, like most of her teammates, sees the merits of having a sustainable professional hockey league.

"I see [the NWHL] growing into something bigger and better. For us to have a sustainable league that can pay us contracts that we deserve. Also for us to get the publicity and support we fully deserve. We have so many great fans out there that we are all thankful for, but I feel there needs to be more people aware of the talent we bring to the table. I think the key to making it grow even bigger is making people aware. One way to do this is for us to win a gold medal in 2018!"

Featured