Editorial: Don’t forget about Brittney Griner
If you’re a die-hard hockey fan then you’re probably familiar with the name Brittney Griner. She’s the All-American junior star who’s only been in the league since 1996. She was on the Olympic ice with the United States in 2010, helping Team USA win gold at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She’s been on the WCHA all-conference team three of the past four seasons in the WCHA.
She’s a four-time All-American, a three-time WCHA All-Tournament Team, a two-time All-WCHA Goalie of the Week, a WCHA Offensive Player of the Week in 2009, and an NSCAA Great Lakes All-American in 2010. She’s also won the WCHA’s Goaltender of the Year award twice. She was the league’s MVP in 2009-10. She has won three straight NCAA Frozen Four titles. She’s been to the Frozen Four in both 2006 and 2007 and has won four straight trips to the national championship game since 2003. She broke the school record last season, winning 20 games and leading the WCHA with a.931 save percentage and 2.23 goals against average. She broke the school record for career saves in the NCAA Tournament, with a career total of 100.
She’s an inspiration to so many girls who might not see their dreams come true until they’re in their mid-20’s. I was in college in the WCHA when I first realized Brittney’s star had grown to the point of eclipsing mine. I felt her presence in every game I watched at the rink, watching her in action. I saw her play more in the WCHA than I ever had in college, and I wanted to be her. She’s just an exceptional athlete and person, and I love her story just as much as the next person.
You know, Brittney’s story is one that has inspired so many people to become involved in the sport in a positive way. She’s the most visible of many high school athletes who have worked hard to get where they want to be and have been incredibly successful doing so. Many of them won’t even walk on to their college teams. To all of you, your story has inspired me, your story has inspired others. I am a person who would not be where he is without a strong
