The Olympics are the pinnacle for athletes across the globe, including Bruderheim's Emerance Maschmeyer.
The 27-year-old Team Canada goaltender left the games with a gold medal around her neck, however, that moment didn't happen overnight. It was a journey with the national program that began when Maschmeyer was a teenager.
"I had a lot of success at the U18 level which I think set me up really well," said Maschmeyer. "I don't think I realized it at the time how young I was. Now looking back, it's very rare to join the [Team Canada program]."
She joined the fold just after the 2014 Sochi Olympics while enrolled at the prestigious Harvard University, where she would go on to graduate with a degree in economics.
"I think there have definitely been pinch-me moments. Putting on the maple leaf — you always dream of that moment."
Firmly planted into Team Canada's plans for the 2022 Bejing Olympics, Maschmeyer wore the red and white for every game of the hockey tournament, seeing action in a 6-1 win over the Russian Olympic Committee in the prelims and an 11-0 shutout over Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Both on and off the ice, Maschmeyer had great things to say about her Olympic debut, even though the pandemic forced the event to run differently compared to a typical year.
"I was so excited to experience absolutely everything. We were, fortunately, able to go to the opening ceremonies. We were lucky to have the experience we got."
Maschmeyer credits the close bond of the team with some of her greatest memories.
"We had that delay with Russia because of COVID-related issues. Our group was incredible, like a team I've never been on. So much fun. We ended up line dancing in the dressing room. Meanwhile, on the outside, people are probably thinking we're freaking out," she laughed.
Her hometown played a big part in her Olympic memories too. Even though she was thousands of kilometres away, Maschmeyer heard the words of encouragement loud and clear through social media.
"It felt so good to have that support. I think we all needed that because we weren't surrounded by our families and fans. To have that support from afar felt like they were right there with us."
Maschmeyer added the Olympic title to her already impressive trophy case, which includes gold medals at the 2012 World U18 Championship and the 2021 World Championship.
After a week-long visit at home in the heartland, she headed back south to re-join her teammates for training in Calgary.
Check out the full interview from The MIX Morning Grind below.