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| FILE -United States' Megan Bozek plays against Canada during the second period of a rivalry series women's hockey game in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. Two-time United States women's hockey Olympian Megan Bozek announced her retirement on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) |
Two-time Olympic defender Megan Bozek has announced her retirement from the US hockey team. The 34-year-old veteran made the announcement on her Twitter handle, citing that it was time for her to "hang up the skates and move on to the next chapter in her life."
Bozek, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, was known for her exceptional defensive skills and leadership qualities on the ice. She played a pivotal role in the US women's hockey team's historic win over Canada in the 2017 World Championships, where she scored the game-winning goal in overtime.
"Hockey has given me so much, but it's time for me to step away and focus on other aspects of my life," Bozek said in her statement. "I'm excited to see what the future holds and will always cherish the memories and relationships I've made through hockey."
Bozek, who hails from Illinois, started playing hockey at a young age and went on to play for the University of Minnesota. She was then drafted by the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women's Hockey League and later played for several other teams, including the Boston Pride and the Minnesota Whitecaps.
During her illustrious career, Bozek earned several accolades, including being named the top defenseman in the NCAA and winning the NWHL championship with the Buffalo Beauts in 2017. She also played for the US team in several other international tournaments, including the Four Nations Cup and the IIHF Women's World Championships.
In her retirement statement, Bozek thanked her family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. She also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent her country on the world stage and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams.
Megan Bozek's Retirement Leaves Big Shoes to Fill for the US Women's Hockey Team
With Bozek's retirement, the US women's hockey team will have to look for a replacement for one of their key players on the defensive end. Bozek's experience, leadership, and defensive prowess will be sorely missed by the team, and it remains to be seen who will step up to fill her shoes.
The US team has several young and talented players who could potentially take on a larger role in the coming years, including 19-year-old Alexie Guay and 20-year-old Caroline Harvey. The team will also look to veteran defenders like Lee Stecklein and Monique Lamoureux-Morando to provide stability and leadership on the back end.
Bozek's retirement comes at a crucial time for the US team, as they prepare for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The team will be looking to win their first gold medal since the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and will need to have a strong defensive presence to do so.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the US women's hockey team will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and Bozek's legacy will live on as a symbol of excellence and dedication to the sport of hockey.
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