When a very successful athlete leaves a sport at age 31, it begs lots of questions. Assistant Captain for Team USA, Angela Ruggiero retired this week; a tough decision to say good-bye to a sport she “loved every day.” Elite sports shape lives and as Ruggiero noted, “It helped to change me and informed who I am. I will never forget the people and things I learned.”

She competed on defence for 16 years with the United States and has played the most games of all her teammates (256) scoring 208 points, including 67 goals and 141 assists. Ruggiero has been playing since 1996 and called the 1998 Olympic gold medal the defining moment in her career. Sounding tearful she admitted, “It is hard to duplicate that because it is the pinnacle of our sport. I reached it as an 18 year old and the memory is etched in my head. It is one of the reasons I feel I can walk away from sport. I got to the podium, won 4 world championships.”

But why leave at an age which is still considered young in the women’s game and especially when she was planning to compete at the Sochi Olympics in 2014? Ruggiero moved to Boston shortly after the 2010 Olympics to train and play with the Boston Blades in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League but reinjured her shoulder playing in 2011 world championship. After getting it repaired that summer she took several months off to decide on her future and made the decision 2 weeks ago after talking to a key mentor, her former coach at Harvard University, Katey Stone.

When asked what made it the right time to leave Ruggiero explained “there was no “AHA” moment. “Through my whole career” she said, “I didn’t want regrets. The biggest thing is my responsibility to US Olympic and International Olympic committee. I realize I am excited about this work and the impact I can have if I am fully committed. I am at a different stage in my life and want to grow in other ways other than just a hockey player.” She went on to explain there were only 15 athlete spots out of 115 on IOC and “ So to really have a voice requires time and dedication.”

Which is good news for the women's hockey. It can use all the help it can get in many countries. When asked what Ruggiero thought about IOC President Jacque Rogge's comments about the women's game possible departure from the Olympics she has no reservations; "People questioned his comments in Olympics games. I think it has nudged the International Ice Hockey Federation to step up and support the game. They have put money into new programs with goal of elevating less developed nations. I am happy President Rogge said something and people listended. He wants the game to grow and support it."

Having a former all star player from the USA committed to working on both the US and International Olympic Committees is all about a new passion, now it is in the boadrooms and this kind of skating could take a similiar amount of time to learn.