Ruggiero: “I didn’t know I could play hockey for a living when I was a little girl”

By Faith Krogulecki –

When Angela Ruggiero was 7 years old, her older brother came home in his goalie gear desperate for players to add to his team.

Before she knew it, Ruggiero was on the ice, and she never looked back.

On Monday night, Ruggiero became the fourth women’s hockey player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be here today,” the four-time Olympic medalist said. “I didn’t know I could play hockey for a living when I was a little girl. One of my favorite quotes in the world, ‘Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably right.’ And for some reason my family thought I could.”

Ruggiero, 35, was born in Panorama City, Calif., and moved to Harper Woods, Mich., as a teenager. She faced adversity while growing up trying to break into the sport.

“There really wasn’t a possibility [to play hockey,]” Ruggiero said. “But my family encouraged me, my coaches encouraged me along the way and even when I got cut from teams because I was a girl, they still said, ‘Keep keeping up.’”

One of her first coaches in California, Scott Plummer, was instrumental in Ruggiero’s development. In 1994, he formed the first girls’ team that she became a part of.

“When I was 12, I found out women’s hockey was going to be in the Olympics and that was my goal,” Ruggiero said. “I never could imagine I’d be standing here before you all today. It’s because of the people behind me that I am.”

When women’s ice hockey was incorporated into the Olympic Winter games, Ruggiero was the youngest player to land a spot on the first-ever U.S. Women’s Olympic hockey team in 1998. At just 18-years-old, she helped her team take home the gold medal that year.

“[USA hockey has] done everything to support the women’s game over the years,” Ruggiero said. “I’ve been so proud to put on that jersey more than any other man or women for 16 years.”

Following her first medal, Ruggiero went on to lead Team USA to two silver medals in 2002 and 2010, and a bronze in 2006. She also represented the USA in 10 world championships, collecting four gold medals and six silver medals.

Ruggiero now joins other female players Angela James, Geraldine Heaney and former teammate Cammi Granato (who presented Ruggiero with her HHOF plaque on stage) in the Hall.

“This is a team sport, as Sergei [Fedorov] mentioned,” Ruggiero said. “You couldn’t do it without them. Cammi, a huge role-model for me and leader; huge shoes to fill when she left the team but certainly an inspiration.”

In December of 2011, Ruggiero retired after 16 years, tallying 208 career points (67 goals and 141 assists) in 256 games with Team USA.

Now a member of the International Olympic Committee, Ruggiero continues to be an advocate for the game.

“I hope that people watching tonight are inspired because I think I am a testament that anything is possible,” Ruggiero said. “I came from a very blue-collar background. Our parents struggled to get us to the rink and hockey has literally given me every opportunity in the world. So to all the kids out there watching, certainly believe.”

Watch Ruggiero’s speech in full here: