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Olympic gold proud moment for Brianne Jenner's parents by Jon Kuiperij Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A prevailing stereotype about hockey parents is that many believe their youngster could be the next Wayne Gretzky, capable of one day playing the sport at its highest level and on its grandest stage. For the longest time, Dave Jenner -- whose daughter Brianne scored a pivotal goal in Canada's dramatic Olympic women's hockey goldmedal overtime victory over the U.S. Thursday in Sochi, Russia -- wasn't one of them. "Because she was in boys' hockey until age 14, we were sort of blind or naïve to the world of girls' hockey," said Dave, a former netminder who played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League in the mid-1970s. "(Playing in the Olympics) really wasn't something that was even subject of much discussions. Once she moved into the provincial program, playing for Ontario, then you realize it's an achievable goal. But even at that, you still have to catch some breaks, have to stay healthy and have to continue to improve." Brianne did all of those things. She is the Provincial Women's Hockey League's all-time leader in goals per game (0.93), tallying 75 times in 81 games from 2005-08. She was a dominant player during her prep school days at Appleby College, leading the Blue Dogs to North American Prep Hockey Association and Canadian Independent Schools girls' hockey championships in 2009 -- two years after Appleby had struggled through a winless season. She captained the Canadian team that won silver at the under-18 world women's championship in 2009, scoring five goals in the tournament. And in 2010, at age 18, she was one of the last two cuts from the national Olympic team that went on to win gold in Vancouver. This year in Sochi, Jenner was still the secondyoungest player on the Canadian squad. Yet, with Canada trailing the U.S. 2-0 and less than four minutes remaining in regulation time, the 22-year-old was still receiving a regular shift. Pointless through the tournament, but still very much noticeable when she was on the ice, Jenner provided the spark Canada so desperately needed when she fired a shot that deflected off an American defender and into the net with 3:26 to go, kick-starting Canada's rally. This time, Dave Jenner -- sitting in the stands with his wife, Brenda -- was not as surprised. "She did (feel like she was playing well)," Dave said of Brianne's mindset going into the Olympic final. "In the few minutes you get to speak with her after a game, you know if she's satisfied with her play, and she certainly was entirely satisfied, if not a little frustrated the puck hadn't been going in. She knew she was making a difference and she was contributing. That was enough for her. "It was great to see the goal go in, and wonderful to see your daughter be part of that. But Brianne Jenner I take more satisfaction, and I think she takes more satisfaction, in knowing she was part of establishing the momentum that allowed (Canada's comeback) to happen." Brianne's golden moment Thursday could be seen as a reward for all the hard work she put in over the years, work for which Dave refuses to take any credit. "What's impressed us for many, many years is her devotion to the game and her willingness to put in the effort, sometimes very quietly just sticking to her business," said Dave. "Whether it's those early-morning practices or seeing extra ice or seeking out extra coaching, it's all been very self-driven. It has to be for a national athlete. You can't fake it. It has to come from within." Brianne's hockey career is far from finished. She has one remaining year of eligibility at Cornell University, where she is already a three-time top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award presented annually to the top women's college ice hockey player in the U.S. And she will almost certainly be a member of Canada's Olympic team four years from now in Pyeongchang, South Korea. But Dave hopes his daughter can already be an inspiration to Oakville's young women's hockey players, whatever their goals might be. "I think just the fact that young girls can see women's hockey on centre stage is important," Dave said. "And, clearly, to see one of their own have an impact at a high level has to provide them with some notion that they, too, can get to their next highest level. Even if it's making the local AA team, or whatever it is." Brianne Jenner arrived home from Sochi, Russia yesterday afternoon. Visit www. oakvillebeaver.com for the story or see Thursday's edition. Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money Voted Number 1 Financial Planner 10 Years Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Certified Financial Planner SINCE 1991 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 www.peterwatsoninvestments.com