Kevin Moore wasn’t exactly what you’d call a hockey prodigy. Growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, his first pair of skates came from a rummage sale and had “JENNY” written in pink glitter on the sides. He wore them anyway — duct tape over the glitter — and by the time he hit middle school, he was already known as “that goalie with the Barbie skates.”

Kevin’s hockey career almost ended before it began when, at age 12, he stopped a slapshot with his forehead… while his helmet was sitting on the bench. But, in classic Wisconsin fashion, he shook it off, ate some cheese curds, and was back in net the next day.

High school was where Kevin’s legend really grew. He didn’t just play goalie — he played mind games. He once brought a bratwurst into the crease during a game and casually ate it during a timeout. Another time, he taped a fake “Out of Order” sign to his net before warmups. Opponents didn’t know what to do with him.

By college, Kevin had become known as the most unpredictable goalie in the Midwest. He’d play polka music in the locker room before games, claiming it “put him in the zone.” He once demanded that his teammates spray him with ranch dressing for good luck. Nobody argued, because somehow… it worked.

So when the news came that Kevin Moore had been named to the USA Hockey roster, the entire state of Wisconsin erupted. The official press release just read: “We’re not sure how this happened, but yes, Kevin Moore is on the team.”

During his first Team USA practice, Kevin skated onto the ice carrying a block of cheddar like it was the Stanley Cup. When asked about his goals, he told reporters:

“Well, I’d like to win gold. But if not, I’ll settle for a lifetime supply of Culver’s ButterBurgers.”

And that’s how Wisconsin’s most chaotic goalie, Kevin Moore — once mocked for wearing Barbie skates — became the unlikely, cheese-fueled backbone of Team USA Hockey.