Fairfield native Julie Chu is taking Sochi by storm as a member of the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team.
Chu, 31, who plays forward, was a top scorer in high school at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford. She graduated from Harvard University in 2007 and was a three-time All American there.
“I always say that hockey found me,” Chu said, explaining that her first sport was soccer, which she started playing in kindergarten. Her interest in hockey began when she was 8 years old and attended one of her older brother’s games.
“There was a poster on the side of the rink, and it said, ‘Girls can play hockey too,’” Chu said. “I think that was kind of my moment, and I thought, ‘Ok, maybe this is something I can try.’”
The rest was history.
Chu heads to Sochi alongside her Harvard coach, Katey Stone, and two teammates from Choate, Josephine Pucci and Hilary Knight.
This is Chu’s fourth Olympic games. She brought home silver medals in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze in 2006, but this year, she and her teammates are hoping for a taste of victory.
“I’ve been fortunate to win bronze and two silver medals,” Chu said. “But the gold medal, that’s what we’re working for.”
The last time the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team won gold was in 1998. And while bringing home the gold would be a dream come true, Chu said she’ll treasure every moment regardless of the outcome.
“Just getting the opportunity to put on the USA hockey jersey is unbelievable,” Chu said. “We always say that it’s actually an incredibly humbling experience.”
Chu said she hopes to make her country proud and serve as a role model for young girls.
