The Eagle River, Wis., native skated for Team USA for five years, playing in a total of 53 games. During that period, she helped the U.S. Women’s National Team to the silver medal at the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championship and second-place finishes at the Four Nations Cup in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

 

In addition, Zaugg-Siergiej skated in two Under-22 Series (2006 & 2007) and was a member of the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team during the Qwest Tour. In total, she notched nine goals and 13 assists while representing the United States.

 

"My experience with USA hockey has been a roller coaster filled will memories that will last me a lifetime. The best moments included playing in front of thousands of people in the Olympic gold-medal game and other tournament championship games, all while representing my country, family, friends and Eagle River,” said Zaugg-Siergiej. “Meanwhile, the low times taught me how to overcome adversity, while challenging me physically, mentally and spiritually. I would not be where I am today, have experienced what I have or met such amazing people if I had not been given those opportunities."

 

Zaugg-Siergiej played four years of college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, where she helped the Badgers to back-to-back national titles, including in 2006 when she scored two of her team’s three goals in the championship game. Upon concluding her college career in 2008, she was the program’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals.

 

“Jinelle was an important piece to our puzzle here at Wisconsin – not only did she score a lot of goals, but they came at key moments in big games,” said Mark Johnson, head women’s ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin and also the head coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. “All of her hard work paid off when she got the opportunity to don the USA jersey in Vancouver and live out her dream of playing on the Olympic stage. I was fortunate enough to coach her throughout much of her Team USA career and she has a lot to be proud of as she moves on to the next stage of her life.”

 

A 2008 graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Zaugg-Siergiej is now the head coach of the Arrowhead High School (Wis.) girls’ hockey team and runs the Crazy Eights Hockey Camp. She is married to Mike Siergiej and is the daughter of Chuck and Pam Zaugg.

 

“We are extremely appreciative of Jinelle’s contributions over the course of her career with USA Hockey,” said Reagan Carey, director of women’s hockey for USA Hockey. “Additionally, we are excited to see that Jinelle is dedicated to giving back to the game through her new role as head coach of the Arrowhead High School girls’ team – she will be a terrific role model for those young players.”