Coach Megan Skelly on Building Team Culture, Grit, and Growth

For Lethbridge Eagles Head Coach Megan Skelly, hockey is more than just a game — it is a classroom for life.

Each season, she brings a mix of intensity, humour, and heart to the bench, guiding her players not only to perform but to evolve as teammates, leaders, and people. Her message to the team? Simple:

“If you want to play alone, play badminton. If you want to play as a team, play hockey.”

That statement captures everything about Skelly’s approach — hockey is a team sport built on trust, effort, and collective accountability. “We don’t play to be the hero,” she says. “We play as a group, we celebrate together, and we push each other to get better. The work and the habits matter more than the highlight reel.”

Building Players — and People

Skelly’s coaching philosophy centers around hard work, grit, and personal growth. Talent, she says, is the last piece of the pie. “You can have all the skill in the world, but if you don’t work hard, if you don’t support your teammates, it doesn’t mean much. My job isn’t just to develop hockey players — it’s to help develop leaders and better humans.”

She makes a conscious effort to teach life skills through sport — lessons about resilience, accountability, and community that players can carry with them long after their playing days are over.

Competing for the Right Reasons

A self-described ultra-competitive coach, Skelly loves the battle but not for the reasons you might think. “It’s about appreciating the small wins,” she explains. “When you focus on doing the little things right — the effort, the habits, the communication — the results take care of themselves.”

That mindset sets the foundation for the team’s confidence. It isn’t about goals and assists, but about preparation and discipline. From early morning workouts to video sessions, Skelly focuses on consistency and controllable factors. “Confidence doesn’t just show up on game day. You earn it every day through the work you put in.”

Building a Culture of Connection

Off the ice, Skelly puts just as much energy into creating unity. After Saturday home games, she hosts team dinners at her own home. A tradition that’s become a cornerstone of the Eagles’ culture. “It’s where we really connect,” she says. “You learn who your teammates are as people, not just players. That’s what builds trust.”

A League That Fuels Opportunity

When asked what she loves most about coaching in the AJFHL, Skelly doesn’t hesitate. “The growth of the league, the opportunities it creates, and the level of competition — it’s incredible,” she says. “It gives players another path to keep playing, whether they’re balancing school, work, or other commitments. It’s a chance to find joy in the game again.”

Defining Success

For Skelly, success goes far beyond wins and losses. “It’s about competing hard, caring about your teammates, and holding each other accountable,” she says. “A positive culture means more than a perfect record. It’s about building something that lasts — on the scoreboard and in who you become as a person.”

Her advice to young female hockey players says it all:

“Work hard. Care deeply. Hold your teammates accountable and have their backs. The effort you give and the kind of person you are — that’s what defines success.”

Under her leadership, the Lethbridge Eagles continue to embody exactly that — a team built on heart, hustle, and the kind of unity that lasts long after the final buzzer.