Kelowna91Ƶs Gracie Graham is a gold medal winner.
The 17-year-old brought home the gold with Hockey Canada at the U18 World Hockey Championships in Österlund, Sweden with a 10-0 win against the hometown team in the finals on Sunday, Jan. 15.
91ƵRepresenting my country has always been a dream of mine,91Ƶ Graham told Capital News. 91ƵHaving the Canadian jersey on, having that opportunity was really an experience of a lifetime and a dream come true.91Ƶ
It was a list of firsts, as it was her first time wearing the maple leaf for Team Canada and her first time travelling overseas.
91ƵEverything was exactly how I imagined, I wouldn91Ƶt do anything different than what had happened,91Ƶ said Graham. 91ƵI91Ƶm really grateful and so excited that I got to have that experience.91Ƶ
Canada cruised through the tournament, going 5-0 and outscoring their opponents 28-5. In the finals, Canada scored early and often on route to their seventh gold medal at the tournament.
91ƵIt almost seemed like it wasn91Ƶt real,91Ƶ said Graham. 91ƵEveryone dreams of winning a gold medal but how often does it really happen? When that buzzer went off, I think everyone was so excited and grateful that we got to experience that together as a team.91Ƶ
Through the five games, Graham had three points (one goal, two assists) in the tournament.
In the aftermath of the game and the celebration, Graham talked to her family when she was back at the hotel, explaining how proud they were of her and how excited they are. Part of her family is her brother Max, who plays for the Kelowna Rockets.
91ƵHe was just so proud of me,91Ƶ said Graham. 91ƵHe91Ƶs been one of my biggest role models growing up, especially in my hockey career so just having him by my side and having the confidence in me is something I91Ƶm really grateful for.91Ƶ
Graham is back at home now and with her team at Rink Hockey Academy (RHA), and told Capital News her training will continue with the goal to make the team again next year.
The Kelowna resident, who91Ƶs been skating since she was three years old, says it91Ƶs still settling in that she91Ƶs a gold medal winner.
91ƵI think it91Ƶs a dream come true, I don91Ƶt even have the words for it.91Ƶ
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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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