Jayna Hefford: Olympics Dedicated to Her Dad.
Interview by Elizabeth Etue, Editor at www. inih.com
March 12, 2010

What made this Olympics special?
Well, this was our third gold medal…it was a little more special being in Canada. We also did a team thing. We dedicated the tournament to someone. I dedicated the tournament to my dad who had passed away in the last year. Throughout my time playing hockey, my dad was my biggest fan, he was always around. He wanted to be there. I know he is with me in a lot of ways but I wish he had been there. My mom and brother (it was his first Olympics). Great time…my mom and her friends and a special time for my 35 year old brother.

So this was a different Olympics for me in terms of taking a leadership role. I am proud of how our team played, especially young players. So it was a perfect gold medal… playing for my dad.

Were you on the ice during the cigars and champagne?
Yes. Not everyone was, about 8-9 of us…It is not something we haven’t done before… it will be one of my greatest memories. It was after the game…everybody gone and we were savouring the environment. We have had a ton of support when the story hit but it tainted next 12 hours. We will still have great memories… none of us smoke, cigars are a symbol. We didn’t know what to do …….we were so excited.

What happened to whole team the next day after winning?
As a team, the few days after the final, everyone was all over…with family and friends. We all went to the men’s game together. And the closing ceremonies…

Was 2010 bigger than 02 or 06 different?
It never gets old…even people ask if this is best. Each one has its own unique story. The 2002 was a team not expected to get a gold, lots going on that season. The team played an unselfish game, every thing we had to do, everyone did it.

The 2006 group was a very dominant team. So the challenge was to keep consistency. 2010 was special, aside from playing in Canada it was exciting to play the USA in a gold medal game after 8 years and after losing the 2009 World Championship. Also our team was in transition in terms of leadership. We struggled through a number of issues. We lost Cassie (Campbell) Vicki (Sunohara) and Danielle (Goyette). So the team did not have much of an identity for a few years. It underperformed in World Championship in 2009 in the final game. I don’t know what happened, it all fell apart.

This year it was a challenge in terms of leadership and identity for the team. The turning point was a bit of attitude at the Hockey Canada Cup. There was an incident in the game against Sweden. Couple of their players went after ( Marie-Philip) Poulin, we stood up for each other we lost game but played well. In the US series of games before the Olympics there was a scuffle in Victoria and again we were standing up for each other. After that everyone started filling roles that needed to be filled and we started playing with confidance.

What was reception like at airport when you returned from Van?
It was pretty good in Calgary we had a later flight lots going on but when we came down escalators there were lots of people there with jerseys and posters to sign. It was amazing how much Canadians paid attention. So times people recognized my name and in a sport like ours it does not always happen.

Are you playing in the Clarkson Cup?
I am hoping the team makes the playoffs. Gillian Apps and (USA) Molly Engstrom play March 12th and the next weekend. I am going on vacation to Cuba. I will play in the Clarkson Cup if my team qualifies.