 |
In Nagano she was an 18-year-old who likely couldn't absorb the magnitude of it all.
At Salt Lake City she cemented herself as one of Team Canada's better players, something she continued in Turin, four years later.
Today Winnipeg's Jennifer Botterill is nearing 30, one of the grizzled veterans of three previous Olympic Games.
Ask her about making the squad for No. 4, though, and she sounds like a kid again.
“They’ve all been amazing,” Botterill said on the phone from Calgary Monday. “But this one is pretty incredibly special. Just with it being in Vancouver and all the energy and excitement.”
Botterill is one of just four players named to the Team Canada roster who’ve taken part in all three Olympics in which women’s hockey has been part of the program.
But it’s the first time any of them will experience the Games as the home team.
Botterill says there’s no denying that changes the vibe.
“Our whole country is on board and behind the athletes more than ever,” she said. “It’s pretty amazing. It’s a pretty happy day.”
Of course, it changes the pressure, too. Wratchets it up about 10-fold, I’d say, compared to a Games across the pond.
That’s where Botterill, the only Manitoban on the 21-player roster, comes in, along with captain Hayley Wickenheiser of Saskatchewan and Jayna Hefford and Becky Kellar, both of Ontario. Those four have yet to miss a Winter Games, winning one silver, followed by back-to-back gold.
They’ll be counted on to help some of the younger players deal with the frenzied expectation of winning a third straight gold, on home ice.
“Instead of us looking at this negative thing, for us, what an opportunity,” Botterill said. “How much fun is it when you get to play in your own country, and people in this country are behind you? If you look at history, our team has had so much fun playing in big games or tournaments (at home).
"Winnipeg (2007 world championship) is a prime example, or Halifax in ’04. It just adds to our motivation. Every single one of these players will thrive in that environment.”
While this one’s at home, Botterill says it’s been by far the toughest one to get to.
“This has been a very demanding year for us,” she said. “They’ve pushed our limits more than any of us would have thought would have been possible. That makes the whole experience that much more rewarding.”
It began with a spring boot camp and hasn’t stopped since, as the team was centralized for training in Calgary last summer. Their preparation includes a 60-game schedule against international teams and AAA-midget boys teams in Alberta.
“When you get so physically tired, it’s emotional, too, in terms of pushing yourself every single day,” Botterill said.
There are seven players who’ll make their Olympic debut for Canada, with the overall age of the team at 26 years, 10 months — slightly younger than the 27-year average of the team four years ago.
The youngest player is 18-year-old forward Marie-Philip Poulin of Quebec. Kellar, at 34, is the oldest.
Returning goaltenders Charline Labonte and Kim St. Pierre are joined by newcomer Shannon Szabados in goal, as teams for the first time are allowed to carry three goalies.
The head coach is Melody Davidson, who also coached the team in Turin.
“It’s a pretty amazing group of players,” Botterill said. “And a great group of friends, too.”
A group less than two months away from an unforgettable moment.
Either way.