The rising hockey sensation was undeniably a key offensive contributor for the silver medal-winning Team Canada in the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship scheduled for Jan. 7-15 in Prerov and Zlin, Czech Republic.
Pettet vowed to shift her focus to helping her Minnesota-based Shattuck-St Mary’s boarding school hockey team clinch a national championship once she returned from Czech Republic.
And that’s exactly what she did.
Shattuck’s squad came out strong with two wins at the onset of the recent U19 Tier 1 national championship held in Rochester, Michigan.
“Our team was tested in our last round robin game against the Chicago Young Americans. Although our team continued to play our game and put forth a hard work ethic, their goalie simply stood on her head. As the third period came to an end and it was still 0-0, there was no worse feeling than the possibility of losing,” recalled Pettet.
“Unfortunately, we ended up losing in a shootout. However, thankfully due to our previous games, my team was able to move ahead to the semifinal game."
Shattuck was in for another close battle in semis, but managed to settle the game with a 1-0 edge on their commendable opponents.
“The final game consisted of Shattuck-St. Mary's and our rivals, Chicago Mission. Unsurprisingly the game was fast and intense. After the Chicago mission scored the first goal of the game, my team became a little worried due to our difficulty scoring in the previous two games,” said Pettet.
Turns out, the scoring drought would soon be over. Becca Foggia was the first to put Shattuck on the scoreboard, and Pettet added two more goals to secure the 3-1 win.
“Winning Nationals as a senior in high school was a very special and irreplaceable feeling. Just to leave such an amazing school and hockey program with the memory of winning a national championship with the best teammates you could ever ask for is simply surreal,” said Pettet.
“This victory is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Pettet has secured a spot with the division one hockey team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’ll start with courses in the summer, and plans to spend fours years playing high-level hockey while pursuing an education in engineering.
Read more about Pettet’s journey:
Kentville’s Brette Pettet key force for Team Canada at worlds
Kentville’s Pettet makes Team Canada
Kentville’s Pettet excited about national hockey camp invite
Kings County teens prepping for hockey nationals
LIVING THE DREAM: Kentville's Pettet making an impact on American ice
