By Andrew Wiese,
CBC Sports Online

Jennifer Botterill learns by example
Hockey runs in Canadian sniper's family

At just 22, Jennifer Botterill is already a veteran of the Canadian women's hockey team and one of its most dependable scorers.


Genetically speaking, it's no surprise that Jennifer Botterill has emerged as one of Canada's hockey stars.

There's her father Cal, a former player in the Boston Bruins system and member of the Canadian national team who now works as one of the country's most respected sports pshychologists. There's her mother, Doreen, a speedskating star who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. And then there's her older brother Jason, who won three gold medals at the world junior hockey championships, was a first-round NHL draft pick and was recently called up by the Calgary Flames.

All in the family
Despite all that athletic prowess around the house, Botterill says her mom and dad were anything but stereotypical hockey parents; they encouraged her, but without being overbearing.

"I've been incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family environment that was incredibly supportive," says the smooth-skating forward. "Both my mother and father instilled a belief in myself since I was really young. They encouraged me to have my dreams."

Back in 1998, Botterill realized one of her dreams -- four years ahead of schedule. While still in the Grade 12, the Winnipeg-native moved to Calgary to train with the national team. When she joined the training camp, she was considered more of a future prospect, but the 18-year old made the squad and was the youngest member of the silver medal-winning squad that lost to the U.S. in the final of the inaugural women's Olympic event.

"In my mind I had kind of set up the idea that I was going to go for the 2002 Olympics, and that was my goal," she recalls.

Botterill says that changed after a memorable lunch with her father.

"He kind of changed my focus, he basically told me, 'Well, why not you? Someone else can be on that team in 1998 -- why can't it be you?'"

Despite achieving so much so soon, Botterill says that the loss in the final left with a sour taste.

"You keep it in perspective, and you realize (a silver) is a pretty incredible achievement that a lot of people would like to have, but at the same it's not what our goal was, what we set out to achieve," she says.

An unfamiliar underdog role

The Canadians entered the 1998 Olympics as heavy favourites, having beaten the Americans in all the big games -- to this day, in fact, the Canadian women have yet to lose a single game at the world championships. This time around, though, the Americans have been dominant in the lead-up to Salt Lake City and have yet to lose to Canada this season. But Botterill says that hasn't fazed her and her teammates.

"I think this time the Americans are looked at as the favourites for the Olympics, this time we're on a mission and we feel like we have nothing to lose and everything to prove. It's a positive energy, not really a negative pressure on us."

The youthful Botterill didn't score a point during the 1998 Games, but has since emerged as one of women hockey's top offensive forces. She's been a member of three world championship squads, and she was named the top forward and MVP at the 2001 championships after scoring the winning goal against the Americans in the gold medal final.

She's also distinguished herself as an Ivy Leaguer, and she set a U.S. college record by scoring a point in 80 consecutive games for Harvard University. Last year she won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given to the best player in women's college hockey. Despite receiving so many accolades stemming from her offensive prowess, Botterill says she has worked hard to be more than just a scorer.

"I would like to think I'm more of a well-rounded player who can contribute in a lot of ways," says Botterill. "I'd like to think I'm pretty consistent and try to make the players around me better, try and elevate their games as well."

Like her father, Botterill -- who took her senior year off to train with the Canadian team -- is studying psychology. She's not sure yet whether she would also like to go into sports psychology, but says she can see herself in the future working in some capacity with athletes.

"I can see myself staying involved in the sporting community, see myself working with other people and trying to help them realize some of their dreams."

In Salt Lake City, though, she hopes to inspire by example.

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