"In my mind, I never thought of it that way,"Mleczko added. "Hockey is something that I have alot of passion for, it's supposed to be fun, and Iwanted to come back and play. To play Division Icollege hockey--that can't be beat. That's what itcame down to, because I had no idea we would be asgood as we turned out when I left in 1996."
So Mleczko was charmed to belong to not one,but two triumphant teams.
"I had an incredible experience playing Harvardhockey and I take a great deal of pride in wearinga Harvard jersey, and I enjoyed myself," Mleczkosaid. "This was the greatest 14 months of my life,going from winning the Olympic gold medal to thenational championship, and being a part of twovery special teams means a lot to me."
Although there is no professional women'shockey league, it is doubtful that Mleczko'scareer is over. She will try out for the UnitedStates National Team, which plays in the ThreeNation's Cup and World Championships.
Her experience should help her reclaim a spoton the team every year between now and 2002, whenthe United States will try to defend its goldmedal in Salt Lake City.
"Beyond the tradition and legacy of Harvardhockey, the chance to play every day at a highlevel was great for my development and future inhockey," Mleczko said. "Learning to play to therole expected of me and to understand what's bestfor the team helped my individual and teamdevelopment. This was a great step along the wayin my aspirations for 2002."
Two people Mleczko will likely see in 2002 areher Crimson linemates, Botterill and Shewchuk,both of whom were invited to play for the CanadianNational Team at the 1999 World Championships.Although the trio only played together at Harvardfor one season, they turned in the most productiveseason in college hockey history by combining for307 points.
"I don't think I was 'the scorer' this year,"Mleczko said. "Most of my points came off assists.I had plenty of goals but I don't consider myselfa finisher and I wish I were a better finisher.I've always seen myself as a playmaker and I sawthat as my role coming into the season. TheOlympic Team made me realize that my strengthswere playmaking and defensive zone, but with Jenand Tammy, our line was able to become a scoringthreat."
Commencement marks the end of a family dynastyin Harvard women's hockey that began in the fallof 1991, when Winkie Mleczko, A.J.'s sister,joined the Crimson. Both Harvard Beanpotchampionships in the 1990s came with a Mleczko ascaptain, in 1995 and 1999.
When A.J. Mleczko left school after her juniorseason, she already held the Harvard careerscoring record with 143 points, and she toppedthat off with the best season of her career--114points and a national championship. Now it is upto Botterill, Shewchuk and the rest of atalent-laden Crimson roster to start a new dynastyin Harvard hockey as well as try to matchMleczko's 257 career points.
"I've been around this program even longer thanCoach [Katey] Stone," Mleczko said. "The reason Igot most of the attention was that I took time offand came back as one of the captains, but thereare a lot of players coming back and this teamwill be on fire next year."