The Graham Effect

Content Warning: The section of the guide discusses depictions of murder, child abuse, foster care, child neglect, and sexual harassment.

“My four-year-old self thought the Cup was a person. In fact, what I gleaned from all those adult conversations going on around me is that my dad personally knew Stanley Cup (met him several times, actually), an honor bestowed to only the most elite group. Which meant Stanley, whoever this great man was, had to be some kind of legend. A phenom. A person one must aspire to be. Forget turning out like my dad, a measly professional athlete. Or my mother, a mere award-winning songwriter. I was going to be Stanley Cup and rule the fucking world. I can’t remember who burst my bubble. Probably my twin brother, Wyatt. He’s an unrepentant bubble burster.”

Gigi recounts the story behind her family nickname, “Stanley,” shedding light on her familial background and aspirations. From a young age, Gigi harbored grand ambitions, with hockey always featuring prominently in her dreams despite uncertainties about the specifics. This revelation introduces a layer of dramatic irony, as the audience realizes that while Gigi aspires to the pinnacle of hockey success symbolized by the Stanley Cup, the reality is that, as a woman, she will never have the chance to compete for it. This passage introduces The Weight of Legacy and Gender Roles, Gendered Expectations, and Gender Stereotypes as central themes.

“A hockey player isn’t just someone who plays hockey. Someone who plays hockey shows up at the rink an hour before a game, throws their skates on, pounds out three periods, changes back into their street clothes, and scampers on home. A hockey player lives and breathes hockey. We’re always training. We pour our time into it. We show up two hours before practice to hone our game. Mental, physical, and emotional. We strengthen, condition, push our bodies to their limits. We dedicate our lives to the sport.”

Gigi candidly discusses the demanding nature of being an elite college hockey player, shedding light on the immense dedication required for success. That Gigi speaks these words emphasizes that such commitment to athletics is not exclusive to men’s sports. Moreover, this quote underscores Gigi’s penchant for setting unattainably high standards for herself, extending beyond the rink to her personal expectations of maintaining a positive attitude devoid of negativity toward others.