------------------- Hello friends,
Please forgive me because I am not the best at getting my thoughts down on paper......
Not sure if you heard the news that on Wednesday Cammi was cut from the 2005 US Women's National (Olympic) Team that will compete in Italy in 2006. This would be the equivalence of the USA Soccer cutting Mia Hamm!
I am not entirely sure why she did not make the team considering Cammi's is still recognized as one of the top women's players in the world.
And her character, leadership and inspiration has helped women's hockey grow not only in the US, but worldwide. I am not sure you could even count the number of little girls that want to wear jersey number 21 so they can be like Cammi.
Cammi was not given an explanation, just told by the coaching staff that she shouldn't wait by the phone (eluding to the fact that she did not make the team)! And head coach Ben's Smith's only quote to the media was: "Like all players, if they choose to try to play forever, their number's liable to come up," he said.
As you can imagine, Cammi was shocked not only with the news that she had not made the team, but more so how USA hockey dealt with the situation.
If you have ever met Cammi, been to her hockey camp , or just enjoyed watching her play, please e-mail me a letter of support that we can post on our website. It can include anything you like. Please also include a note giving us permission to post it on our site. (For safety reasons, I will only post your first name and state.)
Please read the article below. It gives a little more info on how she was blind sided by the news and how she was treated by USA Hockey after dedicating her life to this organization.
Thank you-
Rob Granato
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Just Clueless

In the U.S., Cammi Granato is the face of women's hockey. Last Wednesday night, longtime American women's coach Ben Smith decided to slap that face. Inexplicably, four months after helping Team USA to its first World Championship gold medal, Granato was cut from the 2006 Olympic team. Apparently, the move totally blindsided Granato, who was planning to make the trip with the club to the Four Nations Cup tournament in Finland.

Smith and USA Hockey whispered the bizarre decision Thursday after the seven-day National Women's hockey festival in Lake Placid, N.Y. Smith also decided to jettison Shelly Looney, another veteran of America's national women's hockey team.

If the decision to cut Granato wasn't questionable enough, USA Hockey decided it was going to do its best to sweep it under the rug.

For the first 23 minutes of a Thursday conference call announcing the tentative roster for the 2006 Olympics, Granato's name wasn't mentioned. That's right, you cut the biggest name in the sport and you don't mention her name for 23 minutes.

Hello? Is anybody awake?

Evidently (Smith didn't return my call before leaving for Finland on Saturday afternoon), the coach felt Granato could no longer get the job done at the highest level.

"Like all players if they choose to try to play forever, their number is liable to come up," said Smith, sounding a bit cold and detached when you consider Granato's impact on the sport in this country, not to mention the positive effect she has had on his career.

Smith acknowledged Granato's place in the game but completed his comments by saying "it was time."

This seems a bit odd considering Granato's performance at the World Championships just four months ago. Statistically, with five points in five games, she ranked among the top 20 scorers in the tournament. Within the USA roster, she was second on the club with four assists. And only three players -- Krissy Wendell, Julie Chu and Kelly Stephens -- scored more points in the tourney.

Beyond the statistics, one observer who witnessed the tournament told me that Granato's play did indeed correspond to her numbers. In other words, the 34-year-old skater seemed as good as she's ever been.

At the tryout camp, according to several sources, Smith never told Granato that she was on the bubble for selection. If this is true, it's absolutely amazing. If nothing else, a player of Granato's stature has earned the right to be warned that her status was in jeopardy.

The women's tryout camp included 40 players. During the week of competition, Smith had players picking the scrimmage teams by pulling names out of a hat. With a tentative final roster that includes 11 forwards, seven defensewomen and four goalies, I'm left to wonder if Smith used a similar method when making his final selections.

The 20-woman roster, which doesn't have to be finalized until Jan. 10, remains a work in progress. On the conference call, Smith said he was leaving the door open for one particular player (defender Lyndsay Wall) -- who was also cut -- to stay behind in Lake Placid and work on her conditioning. In the case of Granato, who by all accounts remains in excellent physical condition, Smith indicated that his decision was final.

So, again, let me get this straight: A player who lacked the commitment to stay in top shape is being allowed an opportunity to make the team, while an icon of the sport who remains in top condition and is coming off a solid performance on a championship team is being unceremoniously kicked to the curb?

Here's the bottom line: Players like Granato bring so much to your dressing room, you should never want them out of the picture. Why do you think Steve Yzerman, at age 40 and coming off several serious injuries, still gets such strong consideration for Canada's Olympic men's team? The reason is simple. He brings leadership, experience and so many intangibles that help a team win.

For the U.S. women's team, Granato is that type of player. I feel it was foolish for Smith to be so quick to cut Granato loose. And the way in which it was handled was nothing short of embarrassing and disrespectful. If USA Hockey were smart, they'd be wise to take another look at this situation. As far as I can tell, they've still got some time to make this right.
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Response from fans:

Very sorry to hear this.
As a parent of a girl hockey player, I know that Cammi is idolized by the young girls playing hockey in the USA. I do not know her personally but have seen her around the rink and she is very approachable and always quick with an encouraging smile for the girls. The example she sets for young girls in the areas of commitment, sportsmanship, determination, and class is tremendous. I consider my daughter extremely lucky to have had a role model like Cammi to look up to. She has provided a respected and recognized identity to a sport that is known by few and followed by even fewer.

As a resident of the Chicago area, I am proud to say that Cammi is from our area. She has been an outstanding representative of our State and our Country, not to mention a tremendous hockey player. I know that through her foundation she is very generous in giving back to the hockey community and supportive of girls pursuing their dreams to play hockey.

She has given a lot to the game and has been a huge reason for the success of the USA Womens Hockey team on the ice and in the media. She deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

I do not know what the competition was like to make the team. I firmly believe that there are important ingredients for a successful team that cannot be measured with a radar gun or a stop watch. I know something will be missing for me next time I watch them play.

Please thank her for being such a great role model and providing such great memories for our daughters.

Scott

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I have met Cammi and have attended her camps. I am in shock and saddened over the news. Cammi is the face of women’s hockey. She is unbelievable to watch and extremely approachable in person. She is a great spokesperson for the sport. She proves that you can play an intense sport like hockey, but still maintain your femininity. There is no other female hockey player more recognizable. She is also a great role model for young girls just getting into the sport. The momentum was just building for women's hockey because of her efforts. I worry that without her, the momentum will be lost and participation rates will decline.

Debi

Hinsdale, IL

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Dear Rob,

You needn't have thrown in the disclaimer about your lack of confidence in translating your thoughts into written words. Your e-mail was concise, eloquent and heartfelt. Obviously the news about Cammi affects you deeply.

I was quite shocked to learn that Cammi did not make the Olympic team. Certainly, the coach and the powers that be, at US Women's Olympic Hockey are entitled to make decisions without public explanation, but the turn of events leaves fans of Cammi, and US women's hockey, quite perplexed. I am sure there are gnawing questions that remain for you about politics over performance in this unfortunate turn of events and I hope that in the next few weeks the decision-makers will be a bit more forthcoming. I'm sorry for Cammi, for whom Olympic hockey is so close to the heart and empowering; I'm sorry for you and your family who have believed so much in her efforts over the years; and for Cammi's fans who recognize her as the spiritual force of the women's Olympic hockey program and an inspiration to so many.

I'm sure there will be a silver-lining in all of this and that the Granato family will continue to contribute to the sport and to the greater good for many years to come. My best of luck to Cammi and to you in your endeavors.

Looking forward to information about next year's summer hockey camps!

Thanks,

Meg

PS If you wish to use any of the above at your website, feel free.

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Cammi,

Wow, I dont know what to say! It is so wrong, I dont understand! If there is anything I can do please let me know. You know you should be on that team! Everyone who knows anything about hockey knows you should be on that team. You are the most amazing player I have ever played with, on and off the ice. I don't know what to say about this, more importantly I dont know what to say to you. I can only try to imagine how you are feeling. I just hope you can see how wrong it is!! It can't have anything to do with you, not that makes things easier.... I wish I knew what to say.

Cammi, please know that this is wrong! All of it! I can not imagine any senerio that would make this acceptable. If there is any way you can fight it I think you should and if I can help in any way I will do anything!! If there is any part of you that thinks that you shouldnt fight it don't listen! Not only was it wrong to "c..... release" you (I cant even say it!) But the fact that they did it in such an unprofessional almost "sneaky" way. It is scary!!

I am so sorry that you are going through this. You do not desreve to be treated in this way. I wish I could do something!

Please call me, or write me when you get a moment, if you can!

Keep your chin up and be strong because they are the ones who have screwed up!!

HUGS!!
T :)

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It was so kool meeting cammi because she was my role model for so long.. i always watch her on tv seeing that she would always been on their cuz she was scoring the goals.. Going to her camp she taught me so much and stuff that i needed to work on.. When we were on the off ice session everyone ask question's to them. WEll this one question it was to julie chu and they ask her like about who was her role model when she was young and she said cammi.. SHe said how when she played her first game against her that on the face off she just starred at her cuz she couldn't believe that it was her and she said that she just stood their when the puck would drop so camm i would fly by her and julie would just star at her still. Which that was kinda funny how she said it..Once she got to know her they were like best friends...Then she said that she would always look up to her as a sister..

Missy
Illinois
(You can post this)

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Letter to Coach Ben Smith,

Dear Coach,

The most obvious question is, What were you thinking when you unceremoniously cut Cammi Granato from the Olympic team? Let me take a second to review. Cammi is without question the most recognizable name in woman's hockey. Please stop me anytime you disagree. Cammi has been a true captain of the team in all senses of the word captain. Cammi is someone who has "locker room presence." Cammi is someone the younger kids on the team can look up to and learn from. I see I haven't been stopped yet so I'll continue. Cammi has showed that she can still compete, as proven by her performance in the world championships earlier this year. Cammi has earned the respect of those in and out of the world of Woman's hockey. Cammi is an incredible spokeswoman for the sport. Since you haven't stopped me, I will stop myself and ask you a couple of other obvious questions at this point.

Don't you think Cammi deserved some sort of heads-up that she was on the bubble? Don't you think that you could have given her an extra chance to prove to you and the staff that she was worthy of a spot on the team? Don't you think that after that, if you felt that she did not meet your standards, whatever they are, that you could have brought her in and had a discussion with her? Don't you think that you could have given her the opportunity to go out with grace and dignity? Don't you think that you could have discussed using this moment to help promote Woman's hockey, the same Woman's hockey that Cammi helped gain notoriety? Once again I will stop myself because I can tell you don't have a good answer to any of my questions.

So in closing, I truly wonder if you understand what it is to be an Olympic coach. Winning is important of course. (Although my personal thoughts are that you had a better chance with Cammi then without.) But the Olympics is far more, but your actions prove that you clearly do not understand that. Why not take a look in the mirror before its too late and realize you made a hasty decision, one that was clearly not well thought out. Admit to the world that you, Coach Ben Smith, have made a mistake, and give Cammi the chance and, most of all, the respect that she has earned over the past decade. Let us all know that the answer to the question about what you were thinking when you cut Cammi was "I Don't Know".

Respectfully,

Ira
Woman's Hockey Fan (because of Cammi)
Randolph, NJ
Rob. You of course have my permission to use this and any other letter I write on this subject any way you choose.
Ira

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Rob,

I find it ironic that after failing to achieve the ambitions of US Womens Hockey in the last Olympics that the commitee saw fit to stay with Smith as coach for this Olympic campaign. Loyalty often pays off. Whats more likely to prove true here though, is that, "like all coaches if they choose to try to coach forever, their number is liable to come up". Cammi is an icon of women's hockey and will remain so long after the cowardly Mr. Smith fades into obscurity.

-Greg

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Having known Cammi since '98, skated with Cammi at her clinics, and worked closely with her for her foundation, I am very surprised and upset at the recent news regarding her omission from the 2006 Olympic Team. Knowing the conditioning she does daily and the shape she's in, I must say somebody has made an awful mistake and needs to rethink their decision. Cammi is THE top female hockey player in the WORLD and that's not just "in my opinion." She is much needed if that team plans on defeating one team after the other toward their goal in placing the United States of America at the top this coming February. I can only imagine how Cammi is feeling right now; must be in total shock and disbelief. My thought and prayers go out to her and her family and I'm going to stay confident that this wrong choice will be righted. Those girls look up to her and need her advice and skill and she is part of that team.

Jan - IL

permission to reprint

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Rob,

In complete disbelief our family reviewed the names on the roster for the 2006 WNT and wondered why Cammi Granato was not listed. A team without Cammi is not a true representation of the hockey talent the United States has to offer.

This past June 2005, our daughter had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Cammi's summer camp in Orland Park, Illinois. She jumped at hearing it was Cammi's camp and that we could fit it into our budget to travel from California and attend. Being on the ice with Cammi and all of the wonderful young women chosen to help with the camp was quite an experience for our 10-year old girl. So much National and Olympic talent...it was truly inspiring for her to skate with hockey giants! Julie, Chanda, Cammi and Rob Granato were the best! And Cammi brought the World Cup to share with the girls!

We met Cammi, albeit casual and fleeting, at the Global Sports Showcase in Langely, B.C.,Canada, in May 2005. Our daughter, somewhat shy, could not wait for dad to tell Cammi she would be attending her summer camp. Cammi not only took time to talk with our daughter, but she spoke to her for about five minutes in a very relaxed and unpretentious manner that endeared Cammi to our family immediately as generous, earthy and just a very real person. Her few minutes of sharing was something she did not have to do; it was not broadcast on television, it did not receive news coverage or gain her accolades from the public. But it meant the world to our daughter! And in that one simple gesture, Cammi Granato elevated herself from being just a great hockey player, to being a great ambassador for the sport.

We do not understand why coach Smith did not select Cammi for this 2006 team, especially when Cammi carreis the most impressive playing record of any American player. Cammi has given so much of herself back to the sport, without question or condition, and when her contribution to the United States teams helped assure Smith his coaching tenure, he shamelessly failed to return that respect for her stature within the hockey community. Who really best represents what "legacy" is about?

All of the young women chosen for National and International level play are excellent athletes and this is not about them or their dreams...but the name Cammi Granato IS women's hockey and she IS the Captain of Team USA! She has EARNED the right to be there far beyond a coach who rides the talent of the players he guides. We do not know Cammi on a personal basis, but she will always have our support. Somehow, there is a void in this team that will never be filled and while it might not be the same...Cammi endeared herself to one little girl and that is more precious to a 10-year old than any trophy or gold medal.

Mike, Diane and Kira
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When I first saw the US Women's National Hockey Team listing and Cammi's name was not listed, I thought it was a mistake. The only other explanation I could come up with was that there were some other women who they wanted to evaluate and Cammi would be on the final roster. Then I heard the press conference. To say I was shocked is a huge understatement. I can not believe that someone with Cammi's experience and leadership would not be selected for the team. Her stats from the World Cup were good and she appears to be in top physical shape to me.

Cammi is a great hockey player but what I admire even more is her leadership and her competitive spirit. Julie Chu said it in the press conference "her enthusiasm is contagious". Also important is her commitment to the game. It takes a committed person to maintain the rigorous training that is needed to play at this level. Cammi has maintained that level since the 2002 Olympics with the goal to play in the 2006 Olympics. It saddens me that they would leave the door open for a younger player who didn't come to camp ready to play and not to Cammi.

My 10 year old daughter has attended Cammi's hockey camp the last 4 summers. She has progressed from the star struck little girl who followed her hero around the rink to a hockey player who spent this summer's camp trying to perfect the skills being taught. Cammi selected her to demonstrate a skill that she was doing well to the rest of the group at camp this summer. That was one of the proudest moments my daughter has ever had. While she certainly learned many hockey skills from the camp, the off ice lessons she has learned from Cammi are what have made the lasting impressions: you need to work hard if you want to succeed; you need to take good care of your body; be a role model for other players; be a team player. Her enthusiasm is contagious! Cammi is still her hero, but now for more reasons than just hockey accomplishments. I am so thankful that my daughter has such a role model and I am proud to see her doing some of the things Cammi has done for her for the younger players in our organization.

Cammi being excluded from this team also hurts Women's and Girl's Hockey in the United States. She is the main reason it is one of the fastest growing sports. Cammi being part of the 2006 team would help continue the growth of the sport.

Bottom line, Cammi deserves better than this. Besides being a skilled hockey player and a leader, she is the kind of person that I think best represents our sport and our country. I hope they will reconsider their decision and include her on the team.

Rae

Mackinaw, IL
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You have my permission to use the following on your website:

It saddens me to think anyone would be treated with such disrespect, especially a women that has insired hundreds, if not thousands of, young women and girls in ice hockey. Our family had the pleasure of meeting Cammi at her summer hockey camp. She greeted each girl and got to know each of them and set an example that I would be proud if my daughter followed. We wish her much happiness and good luck in her future endeavors. This is Team USA's loss.

Maura, Illinois
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What a disgraceful way to treat an icon of women's ice hockey. Cammi Granato has done more for the sport than any other player and has personally inspired hundreds of girls, including our daughter, to pursue their dreams on the ice. She has been an untiring ambassador for the sport and always gave every one of the girls she coached positive feedback and respect.

After cutting Cammi from the team, the coach was quoted as saying "Like all players, if they choose to try to play forever, their number is liable to come up," and that she "didn't have a chair when the music stopped." What kind of comment is that? It shows no respect for the immeasurable contributions Cammi has made to the sport and to her team, including helping to lead them to the World Championship just a few months ago. I wasn't at the training camp, but it's hard to believe that someone who played so well and displayed such leadership earlier this year could have been so far behind the other players as to be dismissed so cavalierly. The intangibles like leadership and passion that she brings to the game are what matters most at the Olympics, and a coach who ignores that is cutting the heart out of his team.

I have lost all respect not just for that coach but also for the USA Hockey and the US Olympic program to allow such a travesty to occur. It will do lasting damage to the progress that women's ice hockey has made in this country.

Roger and Patti
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What is USA Hockey thinking??
They cut their heads off as far as we are concerned.
Insulting and ruthless to treat such an icon as Cammi Granato the way USA Hockey and Ben Smith has. I have lost all respect for these people. Please, Read John Buccigross's article, from ESPN, about Cammi being cut. Thanks, John for having the guts to tell the truth. Ben Smith and the USA Women's Hockey officials should go find another job. It is very obvious the fools they have made of themselves. The world should be in shock at what they have done and how they have done it. CAMMI, a person who has dedicated her entire life to WOMEN'S HOCKEY.

CAMMI is an exceptional athlete who has shared her love and passion for the game of ice hockey with everyone she meets. Cammi is an exceptional person, who has made a diference in thousands of young girls' and women's lives as well as their families and friends. Our daughter and our family have had the honor and priviledge of meeting Cammi at her Girls'Hockey camps. There are no words to describe her. She is a class act with a heart as big as the universe.

She gives of herself to young and older girls continuously. She is their idol --- and yet Cammi is also their friend. She is my idol and I am a 47 year old woman. I have never met anyone in my entire life like her. Cammi has always, in our four years of experience knowing her, made each one of her hockey campers feel loved, welcomed, important and truly encouraged. Cammi treats each player with respect and dignity. Cammi always encourages each one to do her best and be her best - her VERY BEST, in her very professional way. Cammi takes the time to share her many talents and treasures as a professional athlete with each young person who attends her camp. Our daughter began playing Ice Hockey at the ripe old age of 14 years after playing 12 seasons (6 winter and 6 fall) dek hockey in a prodominantly male organization. After meeting, talking to, and experiencing a Hockey Camp with Cammi, our daughter tried out for a girl's ice hockey team and made it.She is starting her 3rd year playing ice hockey. I know if Ben Smith had met our daughter four years ago she wouldn't be playing ice hockey now! We want Cammi and the world to know that she has made an unbelieveable difference in our daughter Eileen's life and also in each member of our family's lives. We want the World and Cammi to know how much we love her and admire her.

Where will the USA women's team be in February and preparing for these Olympics without their CAPTAIN, CAMMI. I know if we are shocked and apalled---- what are her teammates thinking? HOW are her teammates feeling and how will they prepare for the most important games in their lives?

We want USA hockey to reinstate CAMMI GRANATO to the USA WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM TODAY!

Patti
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from a Canadian Cammi fan.

That is horrible about Cammi and Shelley!:-(. In all honesty I think that Ben Smith should have been replaced as US Women's Coach long ago. He's lived on the memory of 1998 far too long. I mean in the 8 years that he has coached the women's team they have only beat Canada three times when it counted despite having vastly superior teams. If he were coaching in the NHL his time would have been up long ago.

Cammi and Shelley have been part of this team longer than he has. He should have been the first to go.

Thanks

Denise
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Buccigross: Granato deserved better ending

By John Buccigross
Special to ESPN.com

First Period -- One Cam in, one Cam out

Who would have thought that in the same year Cam Neely was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame by a committee of 18, Cammi Granato would be voted out of USA Hockey by a committee of one?

Ben Smith, head coach of the U.S. women's national team, cut the face of women's hockey from the team last week in cold and merciless fashion.

"Like all players, if they choose to try to play forever, their number's liable to come up," Smith said last week during a conference call. When I spoke with Granato, she was obviously hurt and didn't want to say too much.

"I had a good camp. I felt like I was really going. Moving well, shooting well, and confident in me and our team," Granato said. "I was never told I was on a bubble to make the team."

If this decision stands, it means Cammi Granato will not be on the U.S. Olympic team and her international hockey career has come to an abrupt and unjust end.

"I'd like to think I have enough self-awareness to know when my time as a player is done," Granato said. "But if for some reason, unbeknownst to me, I couldn't see when the end was for me, I have a support group of high-level hockey people, family, teammates and friends, who give me honest assessments of my game all the time. They would tell me."

Granato's former U.S. national teammate, Sue Merz, summed up the events of the past week to me in one word over the phone Friday: "Disgusting."

"This says to me that women's hockey means nothing to USA Hockey," Merz said. "What kind of example does Ben Smith give to the younger girls on the team? If Cammi is treated this way, what does this mean for me in the future?"

Chris Bailey, who played with Granato on the gold-medal team in the 1998 Nagano Olympics, said, "The two biggest mistakes USA Hockey has ever made is not having a post-Olympic tour in 1998 and cutting Cammi Granato."

Imagine USA Soccer cutting Mia Hamm. Would they ever even think of doing that?

Granato scored the first goal in U.S. women's Olympic history.

In 2002, she carried the Olympic torch with Picabo Street and handed it to Mike Eruzione, who lit the flame with his 1980 teammates.

In 1998, Granato not only carried the flag for the U.S. Olympic team at the closing ceremonies in Nagano but also led her team to the gold medal, totaling four goals and four assists in six games.

After the Olympics, Granato was hired by the Los Angeles Kings as a radio color commentator, making her the only female broadcaster in the NHL and only the second in league history.

Can you imagine Team Canada treating Hayley Wickenheiser or Steve Yzerman this way?

Like Granato, Yzerman's best days are behind him. He's 40 years old, and his knees are a wreck. Is Yzerman among the top 12 Canadian-born forwards in the NHL right now? No way. But does he belong on the Canadian Olympic team? Absolutely. Why? Because he's Steve Yzerman!

If he thinks he'd be a liability to Team Canada, Stevie Y will call executive director Wayne Gretzky and say, "Wayne, I can't do it." The point is, Gretzky would let Yzerman make that decision.

Granato didn't get that chance, and Team USA executive director David Ogrean sat by and let it happen.

The most treasured women's hockey player in U.S. history, the face of U.S. women's hockey, is allowed to be treated this way? What a pathetic example of leadership and what a dangerous way to treat the program.

I went to see the U.S. women's team play Canada in Burlington, Vt., last winter and watched the team practice in Lake Placid in March.

Was Granato among the top 10 forwards on the team? Yes, and it wasn't even close. When she is on the ice, you know something smart and creative is going to happen. But, even if it were close, you wouldn't do this to an icon, especially when this person represents the Olympics ideal; especially when that person is so selfless and classy, not to mention a marketer's dream.

As Bailey said, Granato is "the glue to the team."

It makes no sense on a player level, a marketing level or a team-building level.

Some of Granato's teammates claim Smith is a power-hungry coach, one who once said he couldn't work in the NHL because he couldn't coach players who make more money than he does.

The story at February's Winter Olympics in Torino would have been Granato's swan song, not Ben Smith. The story would have been the hockey player trying to go out on top like Ray Bourque in 2001 and Jean Beliveau in 1971.

When it comes to class and grace, Granato is in a class with Bourque and Beliveau. But Smith and others wanted her out. Bourque and Beliveau left the game of hockey in championship fashion because they were classy contributors. Granato deserved the same.

"[I feel] an overwhelming sadness. I'm not an angry person. I have a big, loving family and a roster full of former teammates that I love and respect," Granato said. "But I'm so heartbroken right now. I could never fathom this is how my hockey career would end.

"My only focus was the Olympics because in my sport, that is the ultimate. Everything is geared toward that, and my entire life was geared around getting there and winning gold."

Smith and Ogrean can never undo it. They can never undo such a classless, undignified decision. There isn't enough damage control possible to undo this one. They will perhaps retire her number, give her a day and send out a nice press release, but it won't be enough.

Smith should be fired, and Granato should be reinstated. Ogrean should go back to USA Football, and Eruzione should be brought in for some much-needed heart and soul.

I left a message for Ogrean, but have yet to hear back.

Usually, silence is golden. In this case, silence is guilt.
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Mr. Granato,



I know you are probably receiving thousands of emails in support of Cammi.

Please pass along to her our support. We have enjoyed watching her play for many years now. I am disappointed with USA Hockey. Not only do people not agree with there decision but also with how they handled that decision. What she alone has done for women's and girls hockey programs is incomparable to that of any other person. We hope that USA Hockey comes to their senses and realizes that they have made a terrible mistake. We send our support and if there is anything we can do please let us know.

Jessica
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Many thanks Beak. Is USA Women's Hockey nuts or what!!!!!

Tell you what. Screw them. She can play for Canada anytime. In fact, she should. She's married to Ray Ferraro, a Canuck, and living in Canada. In my books, she should have no problem playing for Canada. They would welcome her with open arms. Let me know what I can do to help.

Take care,

Perry
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Mr. Granato,

I was at dinner Friday evening speaking about Cammi and the decision handed down by Ben Smith. I never played on a team with Cammi in Downers Grove, but played with Don and Rob on several Huskie teams in the 70's and 80's. The word "shocking" came up several times during the conversation. I was shocked that she was told she was not on the team. Shocked at the sudden nature of the decision. And shocked at the cowardly manner in which this entire situation was handled by Ben Smith. I know that the dignity with which she handled this decision speaks strongly of her character and her leadership. I also know that the US team has made a terrible mistake. If Cammi stood for dignity, class, leadership, and commitment it now appears that the US women’s team has turned its back on these values. Let Cammi know that in Weston Massachusetts there are a couple of girls who understand all she has done for women’s sports, and that we are terribly disappointed in the actions of the team. She deserved better and she earned the right to go out on her own terms. In the end, Ben Smith will be a footnote and Cammi will still represent the idea that you can truly accomplish great things in life and also handle life’s disappointments with grace.

Sincerely,

Sean
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Hey Cammi,

I was shocked to see that you were not on the roster for the team this year and I just wanted to say that I am very sorry. Growing up you were the reason why I played hockey so much and I just want to say thanks. I even pretended to be you in 5th grade for a project where we dressed up and acted like the person we admired and I will never foget when I was able to stand up on stage with you at the Get High on Life Rally! You will always be the person associated with women's ice hockey in the US for all female players and everything you have accomplished for the sport is amazing. I want to say thank you for everything and to wish you the best of luck with whatever you are doing next, but it won't be the same watching this year in Italy for sure. Hopefully some day you will go into coaching and I will be lucky enough to play for you!!

Sincerely,

Molly
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Is anyone as floored by this as I am? This is disgusting. The two of them have given the better part of their lives to this team and this is the way that USA Hockey and Ben Smith treat them? Ridiculous. I mean come on Cammi's the face and eyes of the women's game!

Denise
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Hey Cammi:

I've been a fan of yours for a very long time. You are the very best player that the women's game has ever seen and the way that you were treated by USA Hockey is a disgrace after all the years of your life that you gave to the National Team. They are insane. I watched you play in the gold medal game at last year's world championships and for anyone to say that you are too old and/or too slow is full of it. You and Shelley deserve to be on that Olympic team and should be there. The younger players need both of your experience and leadership.

Your fan in Newfoundland, Canada

Denise
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Good evening USA Hockey,

Would appreciate if you could pass this email along to the senior management at USA Hockey, including Coach Ben Smith and Team Executive Director David Ogrean.

Gentlemen, I have had the priviledge to see and play with Cammi Granato. I'm a native Canadian now living in the US. I witnessed just like many other millions of hockey fans Cammi Granato and Team USA win the gold at Nagano in 1998. She has done more for the sport than anyone, including your organization. Have you folks lost touch with reality? The way that you treated Cammi would be like Team Canada telling Wayne Gretzsky that his services are no longer required. Could you imagine what the backlash would be? Canadians would run you people out of town. Perhaps the same should be done here in the USA. Cammi has done more to advance Womens hockey than any other female athelete.

You still have time to come to your senses. Should you fail to do that, I'm pretty sure Team Canada would welcome Cammi with open arms. You see, Team Canada appreciates its players. I hope the press have a field day with your organization. You brought this on yourself and you deserve every possible criticism and backlash possible. Shame on all of you.

Sincerely,

Perry
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Attn: President or Whoever can slap some sense into Ben Smith

USA Hockey

1775 Bob Johnson Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

I was involved with youth hockey all through the 70s and 80s, I never heard of women's hockey until 1997 when I started following the USA team that was lead by Cammi Granato. I was teaching school when they won the Gold and made all of us proud. I retired in 2001, so I was able to go to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Olympics. I paid $250 to watch the Gold Medal Game. I witnessed the classy way that Cammi dealt with the loss to Canada. She knew we had a superior team that year, as we beat Canada almost every time we played them before the Olympics. I felt Ben Smith should have been fired, after that disappointing Olympic outcome, now I'm sure of that and I have many more people that agree with me after this debacle.

I have supported your fund raisers with cash whenever possible. But the way that you treated your finest ambassador, the Woman that you picked to hand the Olympic torch to the Miracle on Ice team at the 2002 Olympics, I will find it hard to send you anything that will go into Ben Smith's pocket. Please don't send me any requests for money until he is gone.

I have some advice for you that will help you get out of this mess that Ben created. Why don't you name Cammi Granato the new Head Coach and Shelly Loony her assistant?

Granato and Shelly deserve a better ending, Cammi is one of the smartest hockey players around; just watch her in front of the net. No one does it like she does. And her leadership is second to none; she needs to be there to lead our team. I've rarely seen anyone with the intensity or desire of Shelley. This was a very poor decision on the part of Ben Smith and his advisors. I believe Cammi and Shelley should be asked to come back and Ben Smith should start packing. Sincerely,

Gregory
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Rob,

When I read this email forwarded to me by my friend I was absolutely shocked!

I have attended Cammi's camp, and to me, Cammi Granato is the reason why girls play hockey. She is the one who built the bridge so we can have many opportunities as we do now. Cutting her from the team is a huge mistake. It is like telling Micheal Jordan that he can't play basketball.

I know what its like to be cut from a team. I was devastated at first but I got over it. That never stopped me from playing the game. No one but your own self should decide when its time to retire. Now they have just retired a captain, leader and pioneer of women's hockey.

Tell Cammi I feel for her, and let her know that many people have been in her shoes. It will be alright in the end.

Annonomous Cammi Fan
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I'M TOTALLY AT A LOSS FOR WORDS ON MR. SMITH'S INCREDIBLE DECISION TO CUT CAMMI FROM THE TEAM. IT IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT SOME ONE OF HER TALENT,STATURE AND LEADERSHIP ABILITY SHOULD BE CUT FROM THE TEAM.

MY CONCERN ALSO IS IF MR. SMITH CAN MAKE SUCH A TERRIBLE DECISION ON ONE PLAYER, HE WILL CERTAINLY BE OUT COACHED IN THE TOURNAMENT AND THE USA DOES NOT STAND A CHANCE. HOW CAN UPPER MANAGEMENT ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.

I PERSONALLY HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR THE ORGANIZATION. ALSO I'M SURE HE HAS LOST ALL RESPECT FROM HIS PLAYERS. IT IS SO COWARDLY TO NOT HANDLE SUCH A RESPECTED INDIVIDUAL IN A MORE MEANINGFUL MANNER. MR. SMITH SHOULD BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY AND CAMMI MUST BE REINSTATED. CAMMI HAS DONE MORE FOR WOMEN'S HOCKEY IN THE U.S. WHILE MR. SMITH TAGGED ALONG ON HER SUCCESS.

USA HOCKEY YOU DESERVE ALL THE TERRIBLE PUBLICITY YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE FROM THIS IDIOTIC DECISION. OF COURSE NOBODY EVER ACCUSED BUREAUCRATS OF MAKING GOOD DECISIONS.

FRANK

USA
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Rob

Well that about sucks! You would think that USA Hockey would allow such an inspiration and not to mention just an awesome player, bow out on her own terms. That would have been the classy --and the right-- thing to do.

Please tell Cami that I hope she is ok--even though I no how tough she is. I watched the women's hockey for one reason--Cammi. I actually coahed our womens U17 AAA team because of the great work and efforts of Cam-

Later-

Brian
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Again, who shows they have the class, Cammi Granato! The girls have had someone to be proud of and who has led the way for hundreds of girls. Cammi, Thank you for everything. You have been an inspiration. You should not have been treated in this fashion and your class at handling it just again shows the person you are.

Girls all over the country are still struggling, as we are in Atlanta, to get girls on the ice. Your style and determination have given us hope over the years that someday, girls and women everywhere can play and enjoy the game of hockey. Thank you.

Agree, Get rid of Smith.

Theresa
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I am writing in regards to the amazing decision to exclude Cammi Granato from the 2005 Women's National Team.

I have been involved in USA Hockey in various area's for the past 23 years. I have been a Player, Coach and am currently a Level 3 Official. I have worked numerous Women's games but have not had the honor to work any of the U.S.A Women's games. I have worked games where players have made the women's team and not one of them were the complete package that I have seen in Cammi Granato. I can say that just the leadership Cammi as brought to the teams she has played for has spoke volumes that cannot be put in to words. Her playing abilities has also shown her leadership on the ice. Her stats prove that there is no denying that she has been ranked in the top percent of all Women's hockey. The facts speak for themselves. Enough about the obvious.

One of the most disturbing facts is how the selection process can over look the above facts. I am not sure whether Coach Ben Smith or the entire USA Hockey Board are to blame for the most embarrassing, dis-respectful and ludicrous decisions to be made in Women's Hockey of all time.

What I do know is that after being informed of this grave injustice it has been on my mind how USA Hockey can continue to hold their heads up after such a disloyal decision can be upheld. I have serious doubts about continuing my loyalty of 23 years as a member of the USA Hockey Program. I do not believe the full shock wave has yet been felt on this matter. The word BOYCOT comes to mind and I have thought about spreading the word so that other fans of Women's Hockey could express their feelings. Just as Women's Hockey has taken such great strides to improve their image (with Cammi's help) something like this could have just set the program back to square 1.

Coach Ben Smiths comments on "trying to play forever, their number is liable to come up" makes me think his number should be the next one called! There is no logical way this decision was made on facts but was made for other questionable items. "HEY COACH THE LINE HAS JUST GOT SHORTER YOUR NUMBER IS UP!!!

Signed

A very broken hearted member of USA Hockey.
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Dear Rob,

WOW, WHAT AN OUTRAGE! After reading about Cammi being cut from the 2005 US Women's National Hockey Team we felt it necessary to write a letter of support.

Who is this Ben Smith? Why isn't he being called on this decision? Is it ultimately his decision? Why are there so many unanswered questions? Why was Cammi not given any advance notice of this while it was in the "maybe" stage? Who is going to answer all of these questions? Most importantly, how can this ever be allowed to happen?

Does the Hockey League even understand how terrible this makes them look? If a future great player sees that this is how a current great player is treated, where is the incentive to continue on in this sport? Do they not think or worse yet even care about the message they are sending to the young girls coming up in the ranks? Ben Smith's lame one sentence answer as to why Cammi was cut makes him look and sound incredibly uninformed and incapable of actually answering any direct questions. Is he reading from a one sentence script?

How terribly let down Cammi must feel after all of the years of dedication and performance, not to mention, all of the attention she has brought to the world of Women's Hockey. If not for her, so many young girls would not even think of hockey as a sport of choice for themselves.

Please pass along our support and best wishes as Cammi and the entire Granato family try to understand and figure out this terrible injustice.

Sincerely,

Steve, Leslie and Natalie
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Cammi, there's so much i can say about everything you have done for me; you have inspired me as my hero, taught me as my coach, and welcomed me as my friend. I literally can not begin to explain how great an influence you have had on my life. If it were'nt for you, I would not be the hockey player I am today. Your camp the past six years has been one of the greatest things i have ever done. Not only have i had a blast working under pople such as yourself, my hero, i have learned SO much. ou helped teach me how to skate, stickhandle, shoot, and work as a member of a team, instilling qualities in myself, and many other girls from all over the country thatt are necessary for one to be a succesful hockey player. Life is about fufilling dreams, and that means working hard to oversome adversity in the way. You have given hope to hundreds, actuakky thousands of girl hockey players around the country. You have tought us that it is possible for someone to blaze a new trail and still succed. Thanks to you, I am the person, the student, and the hockey player I am. Thanks to you, i understand the value of working hard for my dream. Thanks to you, I strive everyday to become better an better, on and off the ice. Imagine the novice, bright-eyed, little girl who came to your camp at the age of twelve, excited to meet her hero. The same little girl who wrote essays on her for school. Six years later, she is a division one scholar athlete-- thanks to you, Cammi. You are amazing, and I am so honored to have worked with you. You are the kind of person (and athete, of course) people strive to become. Thank you for everything.

Always a fan.

Lauren
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I was so sorry to hear about Cammi's experience this year with USA Hockey and the Olympic selection. By now, you probably have a better description (hopefully understanding) of the coaches decisions. The public does NOT need to know those details.

As a hockey parent, I really hope that the Granato family and USA Hockey reconcile to a working relationship for the future. Your family has done so much to promote the value of the sport of hockey. I cannot imagine not seeing Cammi in the role as mentor, coach, administrator, etc. etc. in the future. And, USA Hockey is the organization that we depend on as amateurs to guide the develop of hockey in our community. I trully encourage both parties come together.

We are parents of both a son and daughter who have played "house" hockey for 6-7 years. They will be Bantams again this fall. Our daughter has always played with the boys except for one trip to Toronto with a girls' travel team for the Brampton tournament. Our daughter loves hockey and has always known Cammi as a great role model and barrier breaker. We wish the best to Cammi and your family.

Remember, Cammi is still great, whether on this Olympic team or not. She's still Cammi! GO USA!

Holly
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Dear Cammi

I think I finally figured out what happened. At first I thought Ben Smith was jealous that he didn't get a SUV from Chevrolet, gear from Nike and TV commercials, but now I think Ben Smith was told to cut you and Shelly, because you couldn't afford to obey the USA Hockey order in 2002 that required you to fork over 50% of all of your endorsements. Is it true that You would have had to pay USA Hockey $15,000 for the SUV and even more than that for your Nike stuff etc. I think that they were ticked that you led a boycott that ended that money grabbing attempt by USA hockey and they are making you pay for that now.

I just want to know if I'm on the right track.

Then again maybe Ben heard about the day that you told the students at your old school that I was your favorite coach.

Greg
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Now how do you feel, after that dismal performance in the 4 nations cup? USA only had 8 goals in 4 games? Even Finland had 8 goals!!! Sweden was only 2 behind us. Cammi and Shelly would have had 8 goals and set up another 15! Shame on you!

How could you reduce our national team to the level of the Also-rans?

There is a rumor going around on the Internet that says Ben Smith was told to cut Cammi and Shelly, because they led the protest in 2002, when USA Hockey tried to get 50% of the girls royalties. If that is true, someone will go to jail, when they start looking into your financial books.

I have supported your fund raisers with cash whenever possible. But the way that you treated your finest ambassador, the Woman that you picked to hand the Olympic torch to the Miracle on Ice team at the 2002 Olympics, I will find it hard to send you anything that will go into your pocket. Those girls work so hard, they deserve every penny that they get. Why didn't you try to get 50% from the men's team, they get all of the money! Please don't send me any requests for money until you right your wrongs.

I have some advice for you that will help you get out of this mess that you had Ben create. Why don't you name Cammi Granato the new Head Coach and Shelly Loony her assistant?

Granato and Shelly deserve a better ending, Cammi is one of the smartest hockey players around; just watch her in front of the net. No one does it like she does. And her leadership is second to none; she needs to be there to lead our team. I've rarely seen anyone with the intensity or desire of Shelley. This was a very poor decision on the part of Ben Smith and his advisors. I believe Cammi and Shelley should be asked to come back and Ben Smith should start packing for going along with such an hair brained scheme.

Sincerely,

Gregory
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I'm 100% sure Cammi has enough sense to know when her time is up. I'm sure she would have stepped aside gracefully if she thought for one instant she would be a detriment to this team.

The problem here, and USA Hockey seems to want to sweep it under the rug, is with BEN SMITH and how this entire situation was handled! How could ANYONE not have the guts to at least tell his most senior players that they were on the bubble and if they wanted to make this team they had better step it up. No, instead Ben Smith chose the cowardly way out and just kept his mouth shut.

Cammi deserved better! She has done more PERSONALLY for the good of this game, both here and abroad, than ANYONE ELSE IN THE GAME TODAY!!!! Right now, women's ice hockey has NO FACE! Anyone who thought USA Women's Ice Hockey immediately thought Cammi Granato! You can yell, holler, scream, and curse, but everyone knows I am 110% on the button with that!

I strongly believe that the entire USA women's ice hockey fan world thinks the same way and is just tired at the way Ben Smith treats his people. What kind of message do you think the Cammi and Shelley cuts send to the current team? I think those girls will be on edge all the way through Turin, hoping he doesn't change his mind on them and ruin their lives in an instant like he did to Cammi and Shelley!

The bottom line in all of this is beating Team Canada! That chance has been severely hampered by what seems to be politics or a personal vendetta!! Eventually the truth behind this will come out. Ben Smith had better be in hiding when that happens!

There's not going to be any changing of the minds on this ever! USA Hockey and Ben Smith are simply wrong and that's a fact! USA Hockey should have at least stepped up and confronted their "dictator" and made it known what a big mistake he was making! Instead, they hid!

Cammi can still compete and should be captaining this team on the way to Turin! No ands, ifs, or buts about it!

Where's Cammi

Ken - Pennsylvania
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I am the webmaster of the website www.usa-womens-icehockey.com. I decided a few years ago to try and do something to honor the veteran players of Team USA and to show others women's ice hockey has been around for a lot longer than 1998!

I had the opportunity back in late 2001 to meet Cammi at the hotel before the tour game in Pittsburgh. I was immediately drawn to her by her tremendous kindness and her ability to make one feel as if they were the only person alive on the planet! I left the hotel that day on cloud nine as not only did I finally get to meet Shelley (my all time favorite) but Cammi, our captain, as well!

Many of the players have emailed me and thanked me for my hard work and dedication with my website. When Cammi did so this past summer, I knew right then and there that it was all worth it! My time and work was appreciated by the legend and THE BEST all time USA player!

I absolutely love this sport and the players and will continue my website in honor of them. However, it will be much harder to be as dedicated and excited about it all as I once was. One can only hope that the mistakes made here can be corrected and respect can be restored to the organization.

Finally, we should all continue to cheer on the current team for it is not the players who should be blamed for any of this. They deserve our backing and are working hard to return the Olympic Gold back to the USA where it belongs.

Ken

webmaster/creator -- usa-womens-icehockey.com
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Dear Rob,

I have to admit that I am not an avid women's hockey fan - that said, if you were to utter the name Cammi Granato to me, being a sports fan, I would easily recognize her name and the fact that she IS the face of women's hockey in the US. She's the one I remember from the US winning the gold in women's hockey. She's the one I remember scoring, hustling, smiling throughout the games. Not to mention - I couldn't name another player on the team.

To hear how she was treated by US Hockey is just flat out pathetic. I think it speaks volumes about their leadership and direction (or lack thereof). And it certainly makes me wonder how much it will hurt the future of women's hockey.

Maybe they will realize their mistake - or maybe the millions of letters that you hopefully get will help them to see they are in the minority on their decision to not select her for the '06 Olympic team.

Either way it doesn't take away the fact that the organization has shown that it has no class, and no respect for the most valuable assets they have - their players.

Best regards,

Ken

Chicago, IL
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Cammi is an inspiration to all little girls that put on hockey skates. We have been lucky enough to meet "the ambassador" of women's hockey a couple of times. From her hockey camps to her fundraisers, she has been so approachable my daughter has photos of her and Cammi on her wall, next to Cammi's poster. What a role model.

Please use this letter on your web site.

Tom in IL.
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My daughter had been figure skating for 3 years when she came to me and asked if she could try playing ice hockey. My first reaction was absolutely not! That hockey was for boys and that girls can get hurt playing hockey. A friend told me about Cammi Granato and after doing some research, I realized that it was ok to let my daughter take a chance on the game. Two years later my daughter is still playing and I am a full fledged "Hockey Dad" I don't think I would have let my daughter play hockey if not for the information I received about Cammi. I have to say I took a punch in the gut when I heard Cammi Granato may not be making the trip to the Olympics this coming winter. My daughter and I were making plans to stay up late if need be, to watch hockey games as they are broadcast from Europe. There is still time to right this wrong and I hope to see Cammi skating with the U.S. National Team when they visit Chicago in December. If not, we will be looking for more hockey camps and clinics where Cammi can share her experience with the people who can appreciate it!

Thanks, Kevin

Chicago, IL
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When Ben Smith cut Cammi Granato from the Women's Olympic Hockey last month, he left a void that will be impossible to fill. For years the NHL had Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky, together bringing countless fans to the game when they played with or against each other. If you were a hockey fan, you simply didn't miss it.

The same can be said about Cammi and Hayley Wickenheiser, who have battled each other for over a decade in many memorable games. Together they brought excitement and passion to Women's hockey internationally and in the Olympics. Knowing they will not face each other this February in Turin is as sad as the NHL lockout.

I'm sure Ben Smith knows that if he had told Cammi she was on the bubble, if he had mentioned to her that she needed to pick it up to make the team, she would have done whatever was necessary to earn the spot, because that is who she is. For whatever reason, Smith didn't want that to happen. He didn't give her the chance, and thus has already written his legacy.

Tom
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USA Hockey should be ashamed and look back at what happened in 98' when Shannon Miller cut AJ from Team Canada, say what you want about how good Team USA was but the very heart and soul of Canada was gone and it back fired on them, I hope this is not going to be the case for Team USA; I hope that the members of the 2006 Team gather together and rally in the sprit of Cammi and win a GOLD medal for themselves their country and the best women's hockey player to ever lace up.

Dawn
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Hi Rob and Cammi.
Sorry it took me so long to pipe in with my response, but I'm still in shock. Not having Cammi on the Olympic team just doesn't make sense. Isn't she the one who stayed late at all the practices and took penalty shots on Chanda Gunn? Didn't the USA win the World Championship when Gunn stopped more penalty shots than the Canadian goaltender? Didn't Cammi come within a hair of scoring the winning goal in that game, even before they went into penalty shots?

I have attended 2 of Cammi's hockey clinics, and I would like to echo the sentiments of everyone else who has written in -- not only is Cammi a leader that the USA hockey team can ill-afford to do without, but she is a true ambassador for the sport, and the most down-to-earth athlete that I've had the pleasure of meeting. Not only did Cammi deserve to finish her career when SHE decided it was time to retire, but the fans deserved to see her play until it was truly time for her to retire (years and years in the future). This was not that time!

I don't even know what to say about Ben Smith. How any coach could treat a member of his team that way is beyond me. And he really has a bad comb-over. Sorry...when you don't know what to say, idiotic things sometimes come out...like what he said about Cammi staying around too long, or some such rubbish.

Well, you can print this on the web site, if you feel like it. Either way. I just wanted to show some support for Cammi. I hope she will continue to do her hockey camps, and I will certainly attend more of them in the future!

--Joyce
Bowie, MD
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Dear Cammi,
Words cannot express how sorry I am. I'm so very sorry about the aprubt and shocking decision. I just wanted to make sure you know that I'm thinking of you and your in my prayers. I've got a bunch of my friends supporting, too. It's not fair, not one bit of it. So I just wanted you to know I care and that I am thinking about you. Thank you for continuing to be such a good role model for my teammates and I. I don't care what anyone else says, I think you deserve to be on that team more than anyone. Thank you for being a good example, for your support through my rough times last year, and for being a great friend. Love,
Eileen : )
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I'm saddened by Cammi's departure from the USA Women's Team. She's always been and inspiration. I hope she's still thinking of continuing in women's hockey. This could be a catalyst for her to make another historic difference in the game by taking it in a new direction. She sill has the world's eyes on her. Because of her I was inspired to help many other women play hockey. In 1998, I founded a women's club team at the University of Pittsburgh, in the following year I helped to create the Mid-Atlantic Women's Collegiate Hockey Association (MAWCHA) which had teams from Syracuse, Penn State, Pitt, Maryland, Rutgers, and Buffalo. Though the team and the league folded not long after I graduated the other teams formerly of the MAWCHA are going strong and women's college hockey (both varsity and club) is steadily growing. Years later I was able to try out for the Vancouver Griffins. I didn't make the team, but had I, I could have played with Cammi the following year. I met Cammi in Pittsburgh when she came to speak at a Level 5 coaching clinic. She had great things to say about Coach Smith at the time. She was really wonderful when I met her and seemed very genuine. After leaving my coaching job at Chatham College, I began law school in a town with no women's hockey. I'm working to get a team started now. None of this would have happened without Cammi. I was old when I started playing hockey, but most sports standards. I didn't step on the ice until I was 21. But I loved hockey. I didn't know that women could play it until the press began covering Cammi. She was so wonderful that the press loved her and she showed such comraderie with her teammates I couldn't pass up the chance to be like Cammi, expect of course that I'm a goalie and could never obtain her level of success. She's awesome. I'm disappointed that Coach Smith would drop her the way she did. It used to make me cry when I read the book "crashing the net" because they cut Erin Whitten who had done a lot for women's hockey and had given so much of herself. Now when I read it I'll think of Cammi. I wish her the best. If there is anything I can do to help, just say the word.

-Marianne
p.s. If it weren't for playing hockey I probably wouldn't be in law school today (I'd also probably be 300 lbs).
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Hi USAH,

With as little support at women's hockey gets, it is important to keep the world's most recognizable and loved player in the spotlight. Being that she

is still a fantastic player, it's hard to understand why she's been cut.

I know Coach Smith has his reasons, as unreasonable as they may be. But I think that it's important to recognize that Title IX exists for the benefit of balancing women in sports, not some old man.

Respect affirmative action and realize Coach Smith is unimportant in the world of WOMEN'S hockey, while Cammi is one of us and should be given the opportunity to continue the work she has done.

-Marianne

p.s. If it weren't for Cammi I wouldn't be who I am today. Why should that matter to you? $$$ Not only do I pay my own USAH membership (coach and player), but I've brought many others into the sport (inspired by Cammi Granato) and continue to advance women's hockey. I thought since tradition and loyalty mean nothing that you might recognize the almighty dollar you so worship.
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Dear Ben Smith and TEAM USA

Hi my name is Natalie, I am just writing you about Cammi Granato not being on the 2006 Olympic Team. I don't think that is was right to cut Cammi she is an amazing player and a wonderful model for young girls to look up to. I do not think that she is that old, I still think that she has a couple of more years in her. She wants to play so bad, I think she should be put back on the team. You can't just have a team of rookies or teenagers, you need an older person to lead the team. I was very disappointed to find out that my favorite player is not going to be playing in the Olympics. A lot of other people were upset too, and didn't think that it was right. That is how I feel about Cammi being cut, it is just unfair.

Sincerely Natalie
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Dear Cammi,
Words cannot express how sorry I am. I'm so very sorry about the aprubt and shocking decision. I just wanted to make sure you know that I'm thinking of you and your in my prayers. I've got a bunch of my friends supporting, too. It's not fair, not one bit of it. So I just wanted you to know I care and that I am thinking about you. Thank you for continuing to be such a good role model for my teammates and I. I don't care what anyone else says, I think you deserve to be on that team more than anyone. Thank you for being a good example, for your support through my rough times last year, and for being a great friend.

Love,
Eileen : )
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USA Olympic Committee

I have been sending you money since the USA Women's Hockey team, led by Cammi Granato and Shelly Looney, won the Gold Medal in 1998. Last month the filthy rich USA Hockey Organization had their coach cut these two wonderful leaders from their team, because they wouldn't go along with the USA Hockey kick back scheme in 2002. USA Hockey wanted the women hockey players to give them 50% of their royalties. The USA Men, who get millions, were not asked to kick back any of their money. Cammi and Shelly led their team in a protest that foiled that corruption.
I was expecting another Gold for the women in 2006, after they won the Gold in World Cup in April. I don't expect any gold this time around. Without Cammi and Shelley in the Four Nations Cup last week they were a dismal 2-2 with only 8 goals! Cammi and Shelly used to get 8 goals and another 15 assists in 4 games.
You will have to clean up the corruption in this organization before I send another penny to support them!
Sincerely,
Greg
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I feel very saddened about how Cammi was treated, Just dont seem right. Its just not right not to take your veteran captain. I am sure there are some girls on the team who looked up to Cammi when they were growing up. You need a veteran leader like Cammi on the bench for moral support and leadership. You would at least think Cammi would be there for some type of coaching ability. Cammi has my utmost respect for all she has done to promote womens hockey. I wish some people would see it the way I do.

Sincerely,
Steve
Saint Peters, Missouri USA
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I met Cammi once. I do not know her really at all. I can tell you when she came to our school it was one of the best days we have ever had. She is such a gracious and classy person. She took time to do something for other people. I know that she inspired all of the students. I do not know hockey and all that goes along with and really am not a huge hockey fan. I am however, a devoted Olympic and USA fan. When I heard that Cammi was coming to school. I was thrilled to be able to meet a really true American icon in the history of all of our Olympic teams. I am not saying that she deserves to be on the Olympic team, but Americans deserves that she be on the team. I would hope that this situation is resolved for the betterment of the Olympics.
Gene, Principal Wesmere Elementary School
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Dear Cammi,
I am very disappointed that you are not on The USA National Team. I think you deserved to be on the team. I think it is unfair the way they treated you. You are my role model. I learned many things at your camp. You are an awesome player, and I wish I could come close to being as good as you.
Kelly-IL-Age 11
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Dear Rob and Cammi, (of course, you can use my letter )--I am also forwarding this to several people who are very interested in this subject and my daughter's hockey adventure.

I was just plain disgusted to read this news. Of course, the story has been quietly swept under the carpet, which seems always to be the case with women's sports when a man is calling the shots--sorry, that's the way I see this, and I'm not playing P.C. here. The truth is the truth.

I am a player, coach and fan of the sport of hockey, and my daughter had the pleasure of attending a Planet Hockey camp with Cammi in Breckenridge, Colorado this summer 2005. Before she started the camp, she was almost considering not even trying out this fall for the travel teams; the previous season wore her out, with boys bullying her and lack of morale. Instead, though, my daughter came back from the camp inspired and ready to make a real run at a team (all boys, I might add.) She sang Cammi's praises then and still does, carrying an autographed puck in her hockey bag still.

My girl made the PeeWee B team, and has held her head high, and has a certain confidence and flair she's never had. Cammi had so much to do with that. Once again, she is the only girl on her team, but my daughter is unabashedly being a girl this season, but also showing she can be an awesome athlete, too. Cammi has made this impression on my daughter, and she will continue to do that for other girls, too; this should include the rookies and younger players on the 2006 Women's Team. A veteran is an asset in more ways the one, and leadership is impossible to replace.

Ben Smith, you're missing the point. This team is not about you and your own personal lame agenda; it's about the people who make a team--it's about placing the best women hockey players out there to represent our country AND the sport of women's hockey. Get over yourself. Reinstate Cammi and stop making an ass of yourself. This issue is not going to go away, I assure you. I will shout this story everywhere and to anyone who is in earshot.

And USA Hockey, you folks are an embarrassment to women's hockey for allowing this to happen. How can you allow the most marketable woman in hockey to be dismissed like this, after she has been the single most important figure in women's hockey for as long and diligently as she has? Do you have ANY idea how many girls have started playing because of her? Please, get a grip on your organization and right this awful wrong. Deb
Boulder, Colorado
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This is not a stupid email, so please read it.
Cammi Granato is the captain of the US Women's Olympic Hockey Team. She has been cut from the 2006 team that's supposed to go to Italy.
She has been an amazingly huge idol for many girls all over the world. She has inspired them to play and has made a big impact on the sport.
This past summer, I went to a hockey camp in Breckenridge and met Cammi for the first time. I quickly grew a liking to her because she was respectable and open minded. The season I played before forced me to want to stop playing the game I had loved since I was eight, but then Cammi came to the camp and made me think more about what I wanted to do.
She made an impact on me for the two days that she was there, and now I'm playing again for the same association that made me lose my love for the game.
On the day of her departure, all the girls were summoned to a room where Cammi told us about her accomplishments and the tough times she had playing hockey with guys and getting to the highest level. She talked about running the torch up a bunch of stairs and winning the gold medal.
As she told us this, she didn't look at us but was really looking into space, as if to re-live the moments that she remembered. She was so passionate and so happy to lead the team to their first gold medal that she said, "If I could go back and change something, I wouldn't."
I am twelve years old and I wish to see Cammi play in the Olympics again. If you read through this whole email....including the news article, you would see what a vital, respectable, and inspirational lady she is. The future of women's hockey has grown because of her, and will continue to grow, but not if there are obstacles in the way.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.
~ Henry Ford
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Rob, After mulling things over in the weeks since the Team USA Roster was announced, viewing the Granato Hockey website spurred this correspondence. My daughter has attended Cammi Camp the last 5 years. I will never forget the Sunday night before her first camp, she was so nervous that she could hardly sleep. I came home on Monday and got "How was..." out of my mouth and I was buried in her happy chatter about the camp. That's because of Cammi and her LEADERSHIP. She creates self-confident girls and leaders, simply by being around them. This past summer, the off-ice sessions with the World Cup and team-building discussions were as valuable as the ice time. My daughter has grown as a player and a person because of Cammi's influence. I agree with John Buccigross' assessment and I agree with how "The Hockey News" questioned and was in disbelief of Ben Smith and USA Hockey's dismissal of Cammi. It's brutal. I listened to the press conference. Ben Smith's avoidance of the questions and pushing it off onto his players was cowardly. USA Hockey should reinstate Cammi IMMEDIATELY. It should be plainly obvious that the drubbings that Canada is putting on our girls right now shows that "something is missing". That something is Cammi. Our team needs their leader, their heart and soul, back in the locker room and back on the ice. Karyn & Kevin Tinley Park, IL
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I would be the most unlikely person you'd see playing ice hockey. I live in the deep southern portion of Louisiana where swamps and football dominates the land. 7 years ago, my life changed when I watched the 1998 Olympic team win the gold medal. I was determined to play ice hockey from then on. Our city built the only ice rink in our state when I was 15 years old. I played roller hockey from age 11 until the ice rink was built 5 years ago. I was completely inspired by what these women did on the ice. I learned that many of these women had played boys hockey because of the unavailability of girl's teams. I too was in that situation as I was only one of a handful of girls in my state that played the sport. I was inspired by Cammi Granato to strive for excellence in hockey even though my opportunites were very limited. I earned the respect of all of my hockey peers in my area and began traveling with district teams playing against girls. After only 6 months of being an ice hockey goalie, I was selected to attend Dave Peterson's National Goalie Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I continued to play for the southeast district team as well as boys ice teams back in Louisiana. Cammi paved the way in the hockey world for girls like me. I tended net for the Southeast District team at the first Chicago Showcase for girls where I was recruited to play for the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY. I owe everything I've experienced in my hockey career to Cammi Granato. You are an inspiration to people like me who don't have many opportunities handed to them like other people. You gave me the determination to go out and get it myself. And I did. Thank you for everything. No matter what happens, you are still an inspiration to all female hockey players. Courtney
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