Reese returned to work in September, just four months after welcoming Franklin into the world. She embraced her new role as Director of Player Development with a vibrant and focused energy, feeling as though she was finally crafting a career on her own terms, rather than merely responding to circumstances that had come her way.
The position suited her in ways she hadn’t fully anticipated. While it was certainly less physically demanding than professional hockey, it proved to be intellectually and emotionally engaging in its own right. It required her to think systemically about an entire pipeline of young talent, rather than just excelling as an individual within it. During her first months, she traveled to youth programs across three states, formalizing the kind of mentorship relationshi
