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Jennifer Botterill #17 of Canada celebrates winning the gold medal following her team's 2-0 victory during the ice hockey women's gold medal game between Canada and USA on day 14 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.Bruce Bennett

Hockey Canada announced Monday that Jennifer Botterill, one of only four Canadians to play in all four Olympic women's hockey tournaments, is retiring from Canada's national women's team.



Botterill played 184 games in a Team Canada jersey, third all-time behind Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford. One of its most recognized players, she tallied 65 goals and 109 assists for 174 points, good for fifth all-time.



"I will always be grateful for all that hockey has given me in my playing career," said Botterill in a statement. "I am very excited to start another chapter in my life and look forward to the possibilities that are ahead of me."



The 31-year-old Winnipeg, Man., native won three gold medals with Canada at the Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010) and one silver in 1998. She also earned five World Championship gold medals and was twice the tournament MVP.



Botterill's final international game was Canada's gold medal victory over the United States in Vancouver when she set up Marie-Philip Poulin for the game-winning goal.



Botterill was left off Canada's 2010 Four Nations Cup roster last fall, when younger forwards won spots. However, she had been invited to attend the 37-player tryout camp this April to select Canada's 2011 World Championship team.



"Throughout her career with Canada's National Women's Team, Jennifer Botterill has been a role model for young girls playing hockey across the country, and I am sure she will continue to do so even in retirement," said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. "Her infectious smile and cheerful personality will be missed in the dressing room and on the ice."



Botterill spent four seasons at Harvard University, where she won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in U.S. women's college hockey in 2000-01 and 2002-03, making her the only player to win the award twice.



She currently plays for Toronto of the Canadian Women's Hockey League.











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