S2E12: From Tokyo to Boston to the 2026 Olympics — with Rei Halloran
Asians in HockeyMarch 31, 202600:59:29

S2E12: From Tokyo to Boston to the 2026 Olympics — with Rei Halloran

Rei Halloran is a netminder for the Japanese Women's National Team, but her road to representing her home country at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina wasn't an easy one. Rei joins Nate to share her story of coming to the sport as a young Japanese player, trying to fit into an already established team, and learning the ins and outs of a team culture that didn't quite match what she was used to having been trained in the North American hockey system.


Follow Rei on Instagram @reihalloran88_ (https://www.instagram.com/reihalloran88_/) .


Follow Rei on TikTok @rhalloran (https://www.tiktok.com/@rhalloran) .


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Come meet me and 365 Hockey Girl on Friday, April 3, as we watch the Montréal Victoire take on the Ottawa Charge. We'll be catching the game from Blazers, a sports pub in Brooklyn dedicated to showcasing women's sports. Follow my Instagram page @asiansinhockey (https://instagram.com/asiansinhockey/) for updates.


On Saturday, April 4, join me and The Echo (the New York Sirens' independent fan community) near Madison Square Garden for a Sirens pregame party. The exact location is still TBA, so follow The Echo on Instagram @theechosirens (https://instagram.com/theechosirens/) to find out more details when they become available.


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Check out the Asians in Hockey website by visiting asiansinhockey.com (http://asiansinhockey.com/) . There you can listen to episodes directly in your browser, find links to subscribe on your app of choice, and check out a bunch of other resources!


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Don't forget to sign the petition to induct Larry Kwong into the Hockey Hall of Fame! Visit change.org/p/induct-larry-kwong-into-the-hockey-hall-of-fame-itslarrysturn (http://change.org/p/induct-larry-kwong-into-the-hockey-hall-of-fame-itslarrysturn) to sign.


Pick up your #ItsLarrysTurn hoodie over at everythinghockey.com (http://everythinghockey.com/) .


Support the podcast directly by donating at buymeacoffee.com/asiansinhockey (https://buymeacoffee.com/asiansinhockey) .


Check out our recommended reading list at bookshop.org/shop/asiansinhockey (http://bookshop.org/shop/asiansinhockey) . Any book purchased through this link supports the Asians in Hockey podcast without any additional cost to you.


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Asians in Hockey is produced by Nate Nakao (https://natenakao.com/) . Contributing producers are Chad Soon (https://www.instagram.com/soondatkwong/) and Chris Woo (https://www.instagram.com/asianhockeycardcollection/) . Visit our website asiansinhockey.com (http://asiansinhockey.com/) . Follow us on Instagram at @asiansinhockey (https://instagram.com/asiansinhockey) , Threads at @asiansinhockey (https://www.threads.com/@asiansinhockey) , Facebook at fb.com/asiansinhockey (http://fb.com/asiansinhockey) , and Bluesky at @ (https://bsky.app/profile/asiansinhockey.com) asiansinhockey.com (http://asiansinhockey.com/) . Email us at contact@asiansinhockey.com (mailto:contact@asiansinhockey.com) .


Asians in Hockey is part of the Potluck Podcast Collective. Visit podcastpotluck.com (http://podcastpotluck.com/) for more.


Mentioned in this episode:


Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!


Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.


Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now! (https://asiansinhockey.captivate.fm/chineserepublicans)