South Surrey鈥檚 Meghan Agosta announced her retirement from Hockey Canada Friday (Feb. 16).
The 37-year-old joined the Canadian women鈥檚 national hockey team in 2004 and has since won three Olympic golds, one Olympic silver medal and two IIHF world championships.
鈥淎s I announce my retirement from Hockey Canada, I reflect on a journey that began with a childhood dream of proudly wearing the Maple Leaf on the world stage. From the moment I first donned the jersey to representing Canada at world championships and the Olympic Games, that dream became a reality,鈥� Agosta stated in a social media post Friday.
鈥淟ooking back, as I embark on this new chapter and with a little girl of my own eager to follow in my footsteps, I am overwhelmed with pride. Every moment and memory has shaped the career I hold dear, and I owe immense gratitude to my family, teammates and coaches, whose unwavering support propelled me forward, their belief in me fuelling every stride, goal and victory.鈥�
鈥淭hough my time on the ice may have come to an end, the memories and lessons learned will endure a lifetime. As I hang up my skates, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a profound sense of accomplishment. Thank you, Canada, for the journey of a lifetime,鈥� Agosta said.
Cherie Piper, senior manager of scouting and player development for Hockey Canada, thanked Agosta.
鈥淢eghan was an invaluable asset to Team Canada on the international stage, and was a key member of four Olympic teams. She used her dynamic skillset to leave an indelible mark on the hockey world,鈥� Piper said.
During her time with Team Canada Agosta started her policing career with the Vancouver Police Department.
鈥淚鈥檝e had two passions of my life, hockey and policing,鈥� Agosta said. 鈥淚鈥檝e worn a Team Canada jersey with the maple leaf on my chest and as a police officer, I wear the same maple on my shoulder flush,鈥� Agosta said.
鈥淚 knew that hockey wasn鈥檛 going to be forever and I knew that education is very important,鈥� Agosta said to a room of girls and parents at WickFest in Surrey on Feb. 3.
She graduated from Mercyhurst University in 2011 with a degree in criminal justice degree with a minor in criminal psychology.
Agosta has been a police officer with the Vancouver Police for 10 years and is currently a school liaison officer who visits schools and inspires youth to make good choices.
鈥淲hen I talk to kids (in school), it鈥檚 like, show me your friends, I鈥檒l show you the future kind of thing,鈥� Agosta said.
鈥淎s you get older, it鈥檚 having those friendships and teammates that are going to help you get through those toughest days.
Agosta also runs week-long hockey clinics in Ontario and wants to bring it to Surrey.
The Agosta High Performance Hockey Academy offers boys and girls an opportunity to learn how to play hockey 鈥渨hile concentrating specifically on skating with and without the puck,鈥� reads a post on meghanagosta.ca/agostas-hockey-academy.
