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Gina KingsburyCanadian professional ice hockey player
Date of Birth: 26.11.1981
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Gina Kingsbury: A Canadian Hockey Legend
- Early Sporting Pursuits
- University Hockey Success
- Record-Breaking NCAA Season
- National Team Debut
- Montreal Axion and Calgary Oval X-Treme
- Olympic Gold in Turin
- World Championship Success
- Retirement and Legacy
Gina Kingsbury: A Canadian Hockey Legend
Gina Kingsbury is a retired Canadian professional hockey player who had an illustrious career spanning over two decades. She achieved significant success with her teams, notably winning major world championships and an Olympic gold medal.
Early Sporting Pursuits
Kingsbury began her sporting journey at an early age, showcasing her talents in various sports including softball and field hockey. At just 13 years old, she competed in the Canada Winter Games, repeating her participation four years later.
University Hockey Success
After graduating university with a degree in psychology, Kingsbury pursued ice hockey. She was a top scorer for her university team and a key player in their success. In the 2004 season, she earned All-America honors.
Record-Breaking NCAA Season
The 2003-2004 season proved to be exceptional for Kingsbury, as she ranked seventh in the NCAA with 26 goals and 31 assists in 33 games. She holds the record for most points in a single game with an impressive 9 points from 4 goals and 5 assists.
National Team Debut
Kingsbury made her national team debut in 1999 with the under-22 squad. At age 19, she joined the senior IIHF World Championship team, where she contributed two goals and two assists to their eventual victory. During the final game, Kingsbury's emotions overflowed with tears as she realized her team's impending triumph.
Montreal Axion and Calgary Oval X-Treme
In the 2004-2005 season, Kingsbury played for the Montreal Axion, alongside Charline Labonté. She recorded 60 points in 30 games, scoring 31 goals and adding 29 assists. Later, she joined the Western Women's Hockey League's Calgary Oval X-Treme. In her first season, she accumulated 31 points, and in the 2007-2008 season (23 games total), she had 20 goals and 25 assists.
Olympic Gold in Turin
2006 marked Kingsbury's first Olympic Games in Turin. She formed part of the so-called "Kid Line" with Meghan Agosta and Katie Weatherston. By the end of the Games, she had three assists and an Olympic gold medal to her name. Notably, she also carried the same jersey number she had at university, making her only the third alumnus from her university to win Olympic gold.
World Championship Success
Following the Olympics, Kingsbury participated in two consecutive IIHF World Championships. In Winnipeg, she scored two goals in five games as Canada won another gold medal. At the World Championship in Harbin, Canada placed second, with Kingsbury contributing one goal and three assists. In total, she secured three medals at the women's world championships – two gold and one silver.
Retirement and Legacy
On September 14, 2010, Kingsbury announced her retirement from international hockey, along with three other teammates. She continued to be involved in the sport, notably as a Canadian representative at the IIHF Women's Coaching Clinic in Bratislava, Slovakia in 2011.
