Four alumni from the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton took to the Olympic stage; two playing on Team Canada, and two on Team China.

For Canada, returning Olympian Emily Clark and Olympic rookie Micah Zandee-Hart both came through the Penticton program. Hannah Miller, also known in China as Mi Le, is a graduate of Pen Hi and OHA and played for China. Kassy Betinol, also known in China as Kang Mulan, was in the program for a couple of years but didn鈥檛 graduate from Penticton.

It鈥檚 a strong showing from a community that is well known to many in Canada as a major Hockey Town.

Many times it seems that the women鈥檚 hockey and program in Penticton can be overshadowed by the men鈥檚 side. Not this year, with the Canadian women鈥檚 team picking up the gold medal while the men were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see all four of the girls making their way to the Olympics and being able to achieve their dreams of playing at the highest level,鈥� said Andy Oakes, the president of the OHA. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very fortunate that we鈥檝e been able to work with amazing young student-athletes who are very passionate about their sport and their education, and have been willing to put in the time and energy to be able to play at the highest level in their game. It鈥檚 just outstanding.鈥�

Hannah Miller drew international headlines with the first goal for China in 12 years during the team鈥檚 first game against the Czech Republic.

Playing for Canada in her second Winter Olympics as a forward, Clark picked up two goals during the tournament, while defender Zandee-Hart picked up four assists in her first time on the Olympic stage.

The women, when they come to the program have already gone through their local minor hockey programs, such as the Lower Mainland for Hannah Miller or Saskatoon for Emily Clarke, and then the OHA takes over before they graduate and move on to the college levels. It鈥檚 only for a few years at a time, but鈥檚 during that time that

鈥淲e鈥檙e a part of their journey, we鈥檙e not the whole journey but a part, and we hope to impact them in a positive way,鈥� said Oakes.

It鈥檚 having strong players like Clarke, Zandee-Hart, Miller and Betinol who encourage other young girls to go out and give hockey a try. With the women taking the gold medal at the Olympics for Canada, it鈥檚 a good sign for the OHA and women鈥檚 hockey in general.

鈥淭he notoriety of the Olympics, the World Championships; every time these women go out and show the world what they can do it encourages younger generations to participate, and we just need to find more ways to get women鈥檚 hockey to the front so people can see it,鈥� said Oakes. 鈥淥nce people see it, they can believe it, and they think they can do it.鈥�

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