In hockey career marked with milestones, Botterill adds new honour: hall of fame

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This article was published 17/10/2024 (718 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jennifer Botterill is 13 years into her post-playing career and she’s still breaking barriers.

On Nov. 7, she will be the first female hockey player to be inducted into the Manitoba Sport Hall of Fame.

The 45-year-old former Winnipegger was reminiscing Thursday with reporters about the role her hometown played in her career development.

“It’s been incredible to think back about the community that I grew up in and if I think about neighbours, friends, coaches, teachers and family members that have all been such a hugely important part of my life and part of my journey,” said Botterill, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and a five-time gold medallist at the women’s hockey worlds.

“So it’s just a very special time for me and certainly having family members that have been inducted into the hall before me… adds another level of honour for me.”

Botterill’s family presence in the Hall of Fame is no trifling matter.

Both her dad, Cal Botterill (builder, sport medicine), and mom, Doreen McCannell Botterill (speedskating), are previous inductees, along with her aunt Donna Keating (speedskating), grandfather Donald Grant McCannell (speedskating) and her uncle Bob Keating, who entered a member of the fabled 1969, ‘70 University of Manitoba national championship football teams.

“When I think about my journey in sport, I think the highlight for me was taking pucks to the outdoor rink at the Wildwood Community Club, right at the end of our street,” said Botterill. “For me, that’s where I fell in love with the game — just going down the rink and shooting pucks. So I think it’s moments like that that stand out.”

Botterill also singled out her first hockey coach, Jill Mathez, for being instrumental in her athletic career.

“I think about the influence she had on me, that I was able to play the sport and to make incredible friends on the team, but also to be in an environment where she encouraged us to work hard and to focus on dedication,” said Botterill. “I just think these lessons that you learned at a young age — at the age of 12 and 13 and 14 — I have carried with me for my entire life.”

“When I think about my journey in sport, I think the highlight for me was taking pucks to the outdoor rink at the Wildwood Community Club, right at the end of our street.”–Jennifer Botterill

Other highlights for Botterill include being part of gold-medal-winning efforts at the 2007 worlds in Winnipeg and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

“We won one (world championship) in Mississauga, we won in Halifax, won in Winnipeg during my career,” said Botterill. “And each was incredible… To have the event with home fans, I think was always just beyond what you could expect and imagine as an athlete.”

Botterill would also seem to have the credentials for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, an honour that has eluded her so far.

Only 12 female players have a HHOF membership, including Cammi Granato (inducted in 2010), Angela James (2010), Geraldine Heaney (2013), Angela Ruggiero (2015), Danielle Goyette (2017), Jayna Hefford (2018), Hayley Wickenheiser (2019), Kim St-Pierre (2020), Riikka Sallinen (2022), Caroline Ouellette (2023), Natalie Darwitz (2024) and Krissy Wendell-Pohl (2024).

Seven of the players on that list were Botterill’s teammates on the national team.

“I’ve been able to attend some of those ceremonies to celebrate my great friends and my teammates for that induction,” said Botterill. “… When I was playing during international competitions during the months leading up the Olympics, I always said the greatest sense of fulfillment for me was somehow hopefully elevating my teammates…

“It’s just a huge honour to know that I had the chance to be teammates with those that have been inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame and to see that recognition.”

“It’s just a huge honour to know that I had the chance to be teammates with those that have been inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame and to see that recognition.”–Jennifer Botterill

Most recently, Botterill has crafted an career as a respected NHL analyst with Sportsnet in Canada and TNT in the U.S.

“I’ve really enjoyed being a part of it,” said Botterill. “… Fortunately, the network allows us to share our opinions, and I don’t think it’s a secret that there are times that I have a different opinion than some of my (fellow) panelists, but I’m thankful that we’re encouraged to be authentic, and so in that sense, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca