CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced Tuesday that three-time Olympic gold medallist Cherie Piper, who also won one women’s world championship, has officially retired from international competition.

“On behalf of Hockey Canada and fans across the country, we thank Cherie for her dedication to Canada’s National Women’s Program, and contributions not only to the team, but to female hockey overall,” Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson said. “We wish Cherie all the best in her future endeavours. ”

CHERIE PIPER, 31, joined Canada’s National Women’s Program in 2001, making her major event debut at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, going on to win three Olympic gold medals and one women’s world championship. Overall, Piper appeared in 111 games for Canada over 12 seasons, amassing 40 goals, 78 assists and 118 points, ranking her as the eighth all-time scorer in the National Women’s program. The Scarborough, Ont. native was also a graduate of the Under-22 program, where she amassed 20 goals in only 16 games.

“I want to take this time to thank everyone that has helped me along the way, from my first minor hockey coaches to the coaches and staff who helped at the national level,” Piper said. “I will definitely miss the camaraderie and competition that came with playing for Team Canada, but I am also excited about the challenges ahead of me, as I embark on a career in teaching.”

For more information on Canada’s National Women’s Team and Hockey Canada, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/nwt, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_women.