While Kevin Morley was growing up in Newington, Connecticut, swimming was his first love. Like many young swimmers, he cherished the attention the sport received every four years during the Olympics. Although he competed collegiately at James Madison University, Morley knew the Olympic podium was never in his future. At best, he hoped one day to attend the Games as a fan.
Morley has spent the past 13 years working in the National Hockey League and is currently in his fifth season with the Nashville Predators. With NHL players returning to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, USA Hockey selected Morley to join its men’s team medical staff.
“My colleagues and I are very, very excited and can’t wait to really hit the ground running in Milan,” Morley said. “At the same time it is a tremendous challenge tied to a very lofty goal. Everyone’s goal is to come home with a gold medal.”
Morley will live in the Olympic Village for three weeks, working closely with players who will be deep into demanding NHL seasons.
“For us to step in when the players are 45–50 games into their NHL seasons… and be responsible for optimizing their performance is burdensome,” he said. “At the same time, I am very, very excited for that challenge.”
His path to the Olympics was built on dedication to Athletic Training. After earning degrees from James Madison University and the University of Florida, Morley completed his doctorate at Florida International University. His career took him from college hockey at Miami (Ohio) to the New Jersey Devils organization before reaching the NHL level.
Now, Morley will represent his country in the only way he knows how—by caring for athletes.
“I always thought if I went to the Olympics, it would be as a spectator,” he said. “To do this on the team side and represent my country… it is humbling.”
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