Gold medal-winning hockey legend Jenny Potter told Newsmax on Thursday that she will always cherish Team USA's historic victory at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
History making as it was the first Olympics to feature women's hockey.
Potter joined "Wake Up America" just hours before Team USA's women's hockey team faced rival Canada for the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, reflecting on the moment that helped launch women's hockey onto the global stage.
"Outside from the birth of my two children, I think that was probably the most memorable hockey experience I ever had in my entire life," Potter said of the 1998 Games. "First Olympics — first time — that women's hockey has been in the Olympics."
She called the tournament "one of the pivotal moments" in the growth of women's hockey.
Potter, a 19-year-old forward and one of the youngest players on the 1998 roster, said capturing gold alongside teammates who would become lifelong friends made the historic victory more meaningful.
"Obviously winning a gold medal with some of the friends and teammates you'll have for the rest of your life, and just an experience I'll never forget," she said.
Now one of the most decorated women's hockey players in Team USA history, Potter said the bond forged by that groundbreaking team endures.
"We have a group chat. There are so many great moments," she said.
Potter recorded two goals and five assists in Nagano and went on to win nine IIHF Women's World Championship gold medals for Team USA.
"I remember just wearing my gold medal around after we won and just walking around the village and getting something to eat. I didn't want to take it off," Potter said.
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Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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