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Take Six With USWNT Defender Cayla Barnes

By USAHockey.com, 12/15/17, 12:45PM EST

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Barnes earned late call up to join the U.S. Women’s Residency Program

A late call up to join the U.S. Women’s Residency Program, Cayla Barnes is making the most of her opportunity. And with The Time Is Now Tour, presented by Toyota, wrapping up tonight against Canada at the SAP Arena in San Jose the California native talks about the journey that she hopes will ultimately lead to PyeongChang, South Korea.

 

1. You were a relatively late addition to join the U.S. Women’s Residency Program. What was your reaction when you heard the news, and how have you been received by your teammates?

I was playing up at Boston College when I first got the call and my coaches (Katie King and Courtney Kennedy) were super helpful in getting me get down to Florida. And since I’ve been here the girls have all been so helpful and helped me integrate into the team. It’s been a really good experience so far.

2. As a California native, what will it be like to play Canada tonight in San Jose? How far is it from Eastvale from here? Do you have a lot friends and family coming tonight?

I’m really excited to play here tonight. The game is growing a lot and it’s nice to be in my home state and playing in front of family and friends. My whole family is making the six-hour drive to be here and my youth club is coming as well. I’m excited to see them and play in front of them.

3. How would you assess your role on the team, and is that role in any way different from the one you played at Boston College?

My role on this team is to just be a solid defenseman and play the style and the vision that the coaches want me to play. I think that is why I was called up because I can play this style. On the Eagles I’m asked to do pretty much the same. I’m a creative, offensive defenseman and that’s how I play here so it hasn’t been a difficult transition.

4. What’s it been like playing at Boston College for associate head coach Courtney Kennedy, who played defense on two U.S. Olympic Teams?

It’s been amazing. She makes me better every day. And it’s a lot of fun to practice with her. She’s hilarious and brings a lot of fun to the game. That’s what I love about her. It’s very easy to learn when you have a coach like her. Her experience has definitely helped me a lot.

5. Tonight’s game represents seventh time over the past two months. (Sunday evening will be the final showdown before PyeongChang with a game in Edmonton.) What’s it like to face Canada, are there any secrets left between the two teams?

We definitely are adjusting to each other as we go. I think it’s really awesome to see the talent on each team. Canada is such a great opponent and we love playing them. It’s such a great rivalry. It’s a lot of fun to play against such talent consistently.

6. There are still cuts that have to be made to the final U.S. roster, but have you thought about what it would like to represent the United States at the Olympics?

Of course I’ve thought about what it would be like to be over in Korea and how amazing it would be to represent my country. But right now I’m just focusing on the present and getting better and moving toward that goal, which is our ultimate objective.

Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET tonight and the game will be televised live on NBCSN and can be streamed live on the NBC Sports App.

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2017-18 USWNT Schedule

Date Opponent TIme (Local/ET)/Result Venue Location Broadcast/Stream
Sun., Oct. 22 Canada W, 5-2 Centre Videotron Quebec City, Que. NHL Network
Wed., Oct. 25 Canada* L, 1-5 Agganis Arena Boston, Mass. NHL Network
Tues., Nov. 7 Finland
Four Nations Cup*
W, 8-2 Florida Hospital Center Ice Wesley Chapel, Fla. HockeyTV
Wed., Nov. 8 Canada
Four Nations Cup*
W, 4-2 Florida Hospital Center Ice Wesley Chapel, Fla. HockeyTV
Fri., Nov. 10 Sweden
Four Nations Cup*
W, 5-0 Florida Hospital Center Ice Wesley Chapel, Fla. HockeyTV
Sun., Nov. 12 Canada
Championship Game
Four Nations Cup*
W, 5-1 AMALIE Arena Tampa, Fla. HockeyTV
Sun., Dec. 3 Canada* L, 1-2 OT Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minn. NBCSN
Live Stream: NBC Sports App
Tues., Dec. 5 Canada L, 0-2 Bell MTS Place Winnipeg, Man. NHL Network
Fri., Dec. 15 Canada* L, 1-3 SAP Center San Jose, Calif. NBCSN
Live Stream: NBC Sports App
Sun., Dec. 17 Canada L, 1-2 OT Rogers Place Edmonton, Alta. NHL Network
Sat. Jan 13 Team NWHL W, 3-0 Florida Hospital Center Ice Wesley Chapel, Fla. HockeyTV
Mon., Jan. 15 Team NWHL W, 6-2 Florida Hospital Center Ice Wesley Chapel, Fla. HockeyTV

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