Colorado Springs, CO – Angela Ruggiero, who won four medals as a member of the U.S. women's Olympic hockey team, has announced her retirement.
In a statement released Wednesday by USA Hockey, Ruggiero said she was "honored and privileged" to represent U.S. hockey for the last 16 years.
"USA Hockey will always be a part of me and I will cherish the experiences and memories with this team," she said. "Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I am now looking forward to my next career, as well as continuing my work representing the athletes of the world through my roles on the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee."
Ruggiero, 31, played defense on the U.S. team that won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She won silver medals on the team in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze medal in 2006.
She played a team-record 256 games in a U.S. uniform and scored 67 goals with 141 assists.
In 2005, Ruggiero made history when she and her brother, Bill, played for the Central Hockey League's Tulsa Oilers, becoming the first brother-sister combo to compete in a professional hockey game in North America.
She also became the first female non-goalie to play in a professional hockey game in North America.