Pride’s Smelker symbol of consistency

There have been many consistencies for the Boston Pride, but Jordan Smelker exemplifies their teamwork more than just about anyone.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Paired up on the top line with Olympians Hilary Knight and Brianna Decker in her first two seasons, Smelker now skates with captain Jillian Dempsey and Emily Field, also a potent combination. She’s flipped throughout the lineup the past couple of seasons as the Pride have signed different free agents and brought in rookies, but getting to play with fellow veterans has given Smelker, and the team, extra stability. “We’ve been together for (four) years now, and we’re all really close on and off the ice,” Smelker said. “It’s really great this year with a new coach, and the rookies are bringing all that energy so it makes it good for the veterans too.” Off to a first-place worthy 7-3 start to begin the 20182019 season, it’s a far cry from the Pride’s 4-8-4 campaign a year ago. That’s partially because of extra chemistry, but also the veteran leadership for a team that has relied on plenty of rookies. “She’s been fabulous for us this year,” Pride coach Paul Mara said of Smelker. “She works really hard in practice and plays hard every shift, every practice. She’s always at 100 percent, and that’s all you can ask for from your veterans. The younger players learn from her.” That tough start last year set the Pride back, but they won three of their last four games as almost a prelude of what was to come. Going into Saturday’s bout for first place with Minnesota, the Pride had answered almost every challenge thrown their way. The goal this weekend was to rebound from a 5-0 loss to Buffalo, their second defeat to the rival that knocked them out of the postseason the past two years. It’s the kind of thing that would have buried them last year. This year, that experience from Smelker and her fellow veterans has helped guide them and teach the younger players just how to respond.

“Last year we struggled a lot. One thing we did notice was once we got bonding time on away trips, we came together more on the ice,” Smelker said. “I think that was the biggest thing we learned, the relationships off the ice are just as important for our success.” Those rookies, such as defenseman Lauren Kelly playing on the top pair, starting goalie Katie Burt, and third-leading goal scorer McKenna Brand, have given a new energy for Smelker’s top line; they can rely on other players to step up. “Right out of college they’ve worked so hard,” she said. “It’s been great to have their energy.” For the forseeable future, the Field-Dempsey-Smelker line can be effective, though Dempsey has had her moments with the Pride version of the “kid line” with Brand and Denisa Krizova. That left Smelker with Dana Trivigno at times on Saturday night, but to her, it doesn’t matter. “It’s always a challenge to play with new players,” she said. “I’d play with anyone on our team. I feel at ease with all of them.”