Riveters Captain Packer a Consummate Pro
February 19, 2022 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Metropolitan Riveters News Release
Rosie the Riveter is a symbol of female empowerment and forms the iconic crest of the Premier Hockey Federation's Metropolitan Riveters.
The origins of her inspiration are believed to be Michigan based, a more than fitting coincidence for the captain who has helped shape the organization's legacy.
Saturday night will mark the 100th regular season game in the career of Madison Packer, spent entirely with the Founding Four franchise since 2015-16. She becomes the fifth player in PHF history to reach the milestone following Boston's Jillian Dempsey and Kaleigh Fratkin, Connecticut's Shannon Turner, and Buffalo's Elena Orlando.
"I think when you're in the grind you don't really stop to think back or appreciate all the time," Packer said ahead of the big night in Minnesota. "It's not like we play 70-80 game seasons like the men, so it's a testament to how long myself and these other players have been doing this. It's not always easy to stay in the lineup. It's been fun and I've been fortunate enough to be a member of the Riveters for so long."
The Birmingham, MI native grew up competing for the storied Little Caesars program and won a NCAA title at the University of Wisconsin. A year after graduation she was drawn to the allure of a new league and big city lights, never thinking it would be the longest stop of her career at any level.
"Way back in the beginning when I got an offer to come out and play for the Riveters it was a cool opportunity to live in New York," she said. "I had only been to New York City once. I came to Brooklyn and lasted seven minutes and absolutely hated it. Then I moved to North Jersey and it felt a little bit more like home. It's kind of unique to get to play for the same team for that many years. I feel really lucky to have been a part of it from the beginning and humbled that I've been able to help it grow."
Part of the growth process for Packer and the Riveters was enduring some challenging times before and after their 2018 Isobel Cup title and embracing the silver lining throughout the journey.
"In Season 1 we went to the rink every day expecting to get an absolute ass whooping," she laughs. "It just completely changed the way I thought about the game and being part of a team. It's one of the best teams I've ever been a part of. I think it's pretty special to have a group of people who know they don't stack up on paper but still give it everything they've got.
"There were some frustrating seasons where we weren't winning games. But (being a Riveter) became kind of a part of me and I take great pride in being a part of that team and I take a small bit of ownership for that organization. Who knows, but I think I'll probably go out wearing the same banner I started with."
The professional women's hockey landscape has undergone a lot of change, and players like Packer offer original and honest perspectives when it comes to its growth and direction because the mission has always been so meaningful.
"If you had told me in the beginning that this is where we would be I would have said no way," she said. "But Season 1 was great. It was about so much more than hockey because everything we did we were doing for the first time. We lost a lot of games by a lot of goals but everyone showed up and worked hard and we were part of this really cool movement. Getting eyes on women's hockey. People drove from all over the country to watch us play. It was super cool.
"There's also a lot of players who held on really tight and helped this thing last. There's a lot of credit due to a lot of people and I think it's important to tip your hat to those players. They are really the ones that held on so we could get through the storm."
Before Packer's relationship with wife Anya, who now serves as Riveters general manager, she had a lot of faith in the goals her future partner presented as the Players' Association lead to provide a united front. She also credits current Commissioner Tyler Tumminia for being a game changer.
"I don't think people realize how unique it is to have a Commissioner who is truly player first," Packer said. "Ty believes in our athletes and will always put her athletes first and try to find a way to make things make sense to the athletes. She really believes in the players and she does everything she can to make sure we do more and extra wherever there is room."
Packer also recognizes the evolution within the Board of Governors and what private ownership has done for fuelling the future of the game by believing in the women who play it.
"As a player on the Riveters I feel incredibly lucky to benefit from John's (Boynton) passion and his investment," she said. "The business model we have now is sustainable and we've proven that people are interested. All of our wants and needs are met on a daily basis and in a year and half's time it's just gone from zero to a hundred."
Not only is Packer a tremendous ambassador, the third-year captain remains one of the PHF's most elite offensive players becoming just the second all-time to score more than 100 total points for her career while fearlessly competing with an edge to her game as evident by her career penalty minute total that also ranks second all-time.
"I've played with a lot of really good players over the years, a lot of selfless players, and the best part of hockey is making team plays when it doesn't necessarily matter who gets credit or how it goes in," she said. "It's always more fun when multiple people get to touch the puck and you get the job done. I have to give a shout out to (Rebecca) Russo who would have been beside herself if I had scored my 100th point and she hadn't been a part of it!"
Packer is second behind Russo, her teammate over five seasons, in Rivs scoring with six goals and five assists through 12 games so far this season. The 99 regular season game total for the five-time All-Star equals 96 points with an equal distribution of 48 goals and 48 assists.
"I've kind of always been that way," she said. "If I had to pick one I would consider myself more of a playmaker. I'll get gritty and score goals from behind the net or they tip off my butt. I like making plays more than scoring goals. It's always been part of my game. My ratio is pretty balanced but it's a testament to playing with other good players."
What hasn't been balanced is the way the Riveters have performed as a team so far in 2021-22. A season Packer describes as 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
"We're our own worst enemy," she says of her team that currently ranks fourth with a 4-7-1 record. "Had we competed start to finish the first weekends of the year I think we would have started the season 4-0. The last couple of weekends we picked it up but we can't seem to get everyone going at the same time. We had ample opportunities to win that game (in Buffalo) and didn't get it done. If we can stay out of the box and play the way we practice we'll be one of the best teams in the league. It's just getting it all to come together."
The Riveters have eight games remaining including four against the Minnesota Whitecaps who also have 13 points in the standings.
"It doesn't really matter how you do all season as long as you show up for playoffs," Packer said. "We'll work out the kinks. I believe in my team and I think we have the people to get the job done but we just need to get everyone to show up for work. There's no better time than the present so hopefully we can take care of business in Minnesota. A big part of it is getting some confidence, knowing we can get it done, and believing in each other a little bit more."
While Packer is showing no signs of slowing down, when asked what the future holds for women's hockey and how she fits in, the 30-year-old provides another unique and thoughtful take.
"I would love to play another 100 games in the PHF but a big part of me hopes I can't because the league gets so good that I can't keep up anymore or that I become an irrelevant part of the roster because a younger kid can take my spot," she said. "We just want a place where the best players can compete against one another, get paid pretty good money doing it, and build a league where in 25 years I can sit on the couch and watch somebody making millions of dollars.
"I think the only way we get there is by bringing everybody together. I've seen it all from beginning to end. I think the only piece missing is for everyone to come to an understanding that it doesn't matter who does it or how it gets done. It would be great if we could bridge that gap and we could get some Olympic, PWHPA, and more collegiate players funneling into the league and I think we'll start to see that. Short of that I think we're headed in the right direction."
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Premier Hockey Federation Stories from February 19, 2022
- Riveters Captain Packer a Consummate Pro - Metropolitan Riveters
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