Six Hockey Athletes, Two Olympic Medals, One Shared Experience of a Lifetime

By Jake Newman

One of the most storied college hockey programs in the country, Clarkson’s women’s team boasts an alumni base that comprises some of the most talented players in the world. That talent was on full display in Beijing as six Golden Knights represented their respective countries at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Swapping out Clarkson green and gold for red and white, Team Canada athletes JAMIE LEE RATTRAY ’14, ERIN AMBROSE ’16, RENATA FAST ’16 and ELLA SHELTON ’20 each added Olympic gold medals to a trophy collection that includes at least one NCAA National Championship ring.

SAVANNAH HARMON ’18 collected a silver medal for her efforts with Team USA, and MICHAELA PEJZLOVÁ ’20 proudly represented the Czech Republic.

For all but one athlete, the experience in Beijing was the first taste of Olympic competition. From the outset, the journey provided plenty of memorable moments.

“I think, first thing I just started breaking down into tears,” says Shelton, reflecting on the moment she was told she had made Team Canada. “I was so happy and just so proud of myself to get there. I was overwhelmed with emotions and to hear all my coaches say congratulations. To be named to that team was probably, you know, a dream come true.”

There came a time for each player over the course of their Olympic experience where the weight of their accomplishment finally sank in. Each former Golden Knight remembers their moment.

For Harmon, it was at the opening ceremonies, walking with the whole of Team USA. For Rattray, a calm moment at the practice facility allowed her time to process. Although unique for each of the six athletes, one constant brought their moment to them: seeing the iconic Olympic rings.

“Getting over to the rink and stepping out onto the Olympic ice surface for the first time is so cool to see the rings all along the boards and Beijing 2022. That’s when the moment really sinks in. I think for me in 2018, it did, and I think it did again here,” says Fast, the lone Clarkson alumna with previous Olympic experience. “We dream of this our whole lives, to play in the Olympics. And when you get there and you soak it all in, it’s so special.”

“You see the rings everywhere in the rink. There was this big wall at the end of the rink that had the rings on it, and it was just a cool feeling, a different feeling,” adds Rattray. “There are times during the Olympics where you kind of feel like you’re out of your body a little bit, just because of the magnitude of it."

Team Canada 2022 Gold Medalists (from left) Erin Ambrose ’16, Jamie Lee Rattray ’14, Renata Fast ’16 and Ella Shelton ’20

KNIGHTS (RE)UNITE

A sense of unity was present for the Golden Knights in Beijing. While four of the six players were on the Canadian team, Harmon and Pejzlová had the opportunity to mingle with their fellow alumni.

Fast cherishes time she was able to spend with Harmon, reflecting on their separate, but parallel, journeys to the height of the sport.

“When we played together at Clarkson, we probably both didn’t really think we’d ever actually make it here,” Fast says. “So to be able to stand in the Olympic Village chatting with each other for an hour was really cool. But the thing I love about [Harmon] and I is that ever since we played together, the two of us have been really big supporters of one another and push each other.”

For the Canadian quartet, their roots at Clarkson fostered chemistry on the ice. While not all of the women played for the Golden Knights at the same time, the mindset instilled in all of them nurtured cohesion in their play.

“Jamie Lee (Rattray) always says, ‘It feels like I played with you, Ella, even though we never went to school at the same time.’ And I think just that Clarkson connection, you’re able to connect on so many different levels,” recounts Shelton. “The identity of Clarkson hockey for the women’s side didn’t change from Jamie’s years to my years; it was the same. Defensive zone first, and then making sure we are solid in our defensive zone leads to good offense. And that’s what we were known for. And I think that was something that was a super big asset to us as far as being successful.”

Team USA Silver Medalist Savannah Harmon ’18 and the Czech Republic’s Michaela Pejzlová ’20

“There’s a reason why there were four women from Clarkson on this team and why it was successful,” adds Fast. “I think the culture and the things that all six of us players in the Olympics brought to our teams, I think it says a lot about the program that we’ve come from.”

Clarkson Camaraderie And Connection

Looking back at their journeys, Fast feels that having that Clarkson connection was a major benefit to each player’s Olympic experience. Speaking from experience, she knows that bond was palpable on Team Canada.

“I think we did a great job, all of us supporting each other and lifting each other up and really pushing each other to all get a spot on the team,” says Fast.

Fast recalls a University-wide Zoom before the Olympics. Hearing her fellow alumni reflect on their college careers cemented her belief in Clarkson’s role in her success. “All of us brought it back to Clarkson and how important our time there was...we wouldn’t be on the Olympic stage if it wasn’t for Clarkson.”

The six players came together again in the fall — this time in Potsdam — for a ceremony to raise their Olympic banners into the rafters of Cheel, joining the eight other Golden Knights who previously competed in the Winter Olympic Games.

“It’s special to be able to share it with them,” Fast says, “knowing that Clarkson played a huge role in all of our paths to get there.”

The six former Clarkson women’s hockey players who competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were honored on October 1 with a ceremony to raise their Olympic Banners into the rafters of Cheel Arena. From left: ELLA SHELTON ’20, ERIN AMBROSE ’16, SAVANNAH HARMON ’18, JAMIE LEE RATTRAY ’14, RENATA FAST ’16 and MICHAELA PEJZLOVÁ ’20.

Women’s Hockey Head Coach Position Named in Honor of Munters

Clarkson’s women’s head hockey coach position is now named for John ’59 and Rosemary Munter, faithful donors who are dedicated to helping the University grow in myriad ways.

MATT DESROSIERS, who has served as the sole head coach since 2014 — and who was co-head coach from 2008-2014 — offered his heartfelt thanks to the Munter family for their enduring support.

“This gift is a great way for the family to come together to honor John and Rosemary’s love of Clarkson,”

Desrosiers said. “It certainly reflects the same family values that are so important to Clarkson athletics and the women’s hockey program. I am honored and proud to hold this position and work hard to ensure that our staff and players continue to make you proud.”

As steadfast supporters of Clarkson, John and his wife, Rosemary, are members of a prestigious group that holds Legend status in the Good Knights Guild. They are loyal donors to The Clarkson Fund and other Clarkson projects.

Matt DesRosiers