Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Gracie Graham is a gold medal winner.

The 17-year-old brought home the gold with Hockey Canada at the U18 World Hockey Championships in 脰sterlund, Sweden with a 10-0 win against the hometown team in the finals on Sunday, Jan. 15.

害羞草研究所淩epresenting my country has always been a dream of mine,害羞草研究所� Graham told Capital News. 害羞草研究所淗aving the Canadian jersey on, having that opportunity was really an experience of a lifetime and a dream come true.害羞草研究所�

It was a list of firsts, as it was her first time wearing the maple leaf for Team Canada and her first time travelling overseas.

害羞草研究所淓verything was exactly how I imagined, I wouldn害羞草研究所檛 do anything different than what had happened,害羞草研究所� said Graham. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 really grateful and so excited that I got to have that experience.害羞草研究所�

Canada cruised through the tournament, going 5-0 and outscoring their opponents 28-5. In the finals, Canada scored early and often on route to their seventh gold medal at the tournament.

害羞草研究所淚t almost seemed like it wasn害羞草研究所檛 real,害羞草研究所� said Graham. 害羞草研究所淓veryone dreams of winning a gold medal but how often does it really happen? When that buzzer went off, I think everyone was so excited and grateful that we got to experience that together as a team.害羞草研究所�

Through the five games, Graham had three points (one goal, two assists) in the tournament.

In the aftermath of the game and the celebration, Graham talked to her family when she was back at the hotel, explaining how proud they were of her and how excited they are. Part of her family is her brother Max, who plays for the Kelowna Rockets.

害羞草研究所淗e was just so proud of me,害羞草研究所� said Graham. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 been one of my biggest role models growing up, especially in my hockey career so just having him by my side and having the confidence in me is something I害羞草研究所檓 really grateful for.害羞草研究所�

Graham is back at home now and with her team at Rink Hockey Academy (RHA), and told Capital News her training will continue with the goal to make the team again next year.

The Kelowna resident, who害羞草研究所檚 been skating since she was three years old, says it害羞草研究所檚 still settling in that she害羞草研究所檚 a gold medal winner.

害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 a dream come true, I don害羞草研究所檛 even have the words for it.害羞草研究所�

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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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