By Mariana Echeverri Alvarez, Communications Coordinator
Jennifer Botterill: A Legacy of Excellence on and Off the Ice
Jennifer Botterill is one of the most decorated athletes in Canada, a fixture with the women’s national hockey team program for 14 years. The Winnipegger represented her country in four Olympics, capturing three gold medals (2002, 2006, and 2010) and a silver (1998).
In her final outing of international competition in Vancouver in 2010, Botterill assisted on the game-winning goal by Marie-Philip Poulin, as Canada defeated the United States 2-0.
“People often ask what my favourite goal was, but my favourite play was actually an assist – not a goal that I scored,” said Botterill. “If I had to pick one play that was the favourite of my career, that was it. For me, that was even more rewarding and fulfilling to read the play, find the seam, and set her up for that unbelievable goal.”
An Unstoppable Force in Hockey and Beyond
Botterill’s remarkable career didn’t stop at the Olympics. She also participated in eight IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championships, winning five gold medals and being named Most Valuable Player twice.
One of her career highlights was winning gold in her hometown of Winnipeg in 2007, in front of family and friends.
Starting her athletic journey in ringette before transitioning to hockey at 13, Botterill’s competitive spirit was evident early. She represented Manitoba in ringette at the Canada Winter Games in 1995 before shifting focus to hockey and eventually excelling in multiple sports, becoming a provincial champion in hockey, ringette, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Her decision to focus on hockey paid off when she flourished at Harvard University, where she became the first and only multiple winner of the prestigious Patti Kazmaier Award for the top player in women’s college hockey. Botterill’s four seasons at Harvard were filled with incredible achievements, including a national championship in her freshman year and setting records that stand to this day.
Growing the Game and Inspiring Others
Botterill has taken immense pride in growing the sport of women’s hockey through various projects and playing an integral role in the evolution of the game. She starred for the Toronto Aeros, Mississauga Chiefs, and Toronto in the NWHL and CWHL, contributing to the expansion of women’s professional hockey.
Since retiring from competition, Botterill has become a motivational speaker and a television broadcaster, covering the NHL for Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Sportsnet, and Turner Sports. Her on-air expertise has also been featured on TSN and CBC.
Her family’s dedication to sport is legendary, with Jennifer joining her mother Doreen (speed skating, 1995), father Cal (builder, 2016), aunt Donna McCannell /Keating (speed skating 2018), uncle Bob Keating (football, 2018), and grandfather Don McCannell (builder, 2001) in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Her brother Jason was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, further cementing the Botterill legacy in Canadian sports history.
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Celebrate Jennifer Botterill and all of our honourees at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, taking place on Thursday, November 7, at the Victoria Inn. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the Ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m.
Get your tickets now and be part of this memorable evening.
