An Interview With US Women’s Hockey Captain Julie Chu

Our flagship radio program, Rink Side Radio, got the chance to sit down with US Women’s hockey captain Julie Chu during the Olympic games in Vancouver. Here are some of the highlights of the interview.

On The Atmosphere In Vancouver

For a hockey player, its awesome to play the games in Canada where hockey is such a central sport. I think the atmosphere has been incredible. There’s a lot of fans from all around the world that are really enthusiastic to support whatever nation they may be apart of or just the countries in general. I think the volunteers have been great. The weather, we’ve had some rainy days but we’ve some sunny days as well, so it’s been really spectacular.

On Opening Up The Olympics Against China Being A Chinese American

For me it was definitely a special moment. It was the Chinese New Years yesterday so it was an extra special moment as well. Being an Asian American and growing up with many of the Chinese values and traditions that my parents instilled in me at a young age, its a part of who I am. Being able to play China in a special event, where my heritage is from, is great for me. Just to be able to be apart of it all again kind of leaves me speechless at times.

How is this US team stronger than the team that won bronze in 2006?

I think in the last four years, we’ve had to recreate ourselves, our identity, our play, and the way we go about things. With fifteen newcomers and only six returning members we’ve really had that opportunity. I think our younger players are extremely talented. They have skills and the ability to play the game and understand it that is well beyond their years. When I was there age, I was definitely not that confident and capable. I try to learn from them a lot of the tricks that maybe I wasn’t picking up at their age and just trying to give them a little bit of the veteran leadership and honing in their energy and enthusiasm of being first timers.

Be sure to check out the entire interview on Rink Side Radio, which can be listened to here. Julie talks about her experiences in Vancouver so far, playing for coach Mark Johnson, the chances the men’s team has to win a medal, the influences Cammi Granato has had on her development and much more.

Julie Chu will support Crest & Oral-B’s ‘Smile with U.S.’ campaign. This program highlights the smiles of five Team USA Olympic athletes in Vancouver throughout the two weeks of competition. Crest & Oral-B will make a monetary donation to the athletes’ hometown school districts.