Why Not You: My Story of Perseverance, Hockey, and Olympic Gold

Jennifer Botterill , Kristina Rutherford
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Why Not You: My Story of Perseverance, Hockey, and Olympic Gold

Jennifer Botterill , Kristina Rutherford
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  • Published date: Sep 22, 2026
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 232
  • Publisher: Penguin Canada
  • ISBN: 9781037800153
  • Dimensions: 6.22" W x 0.83" L x 9.28" H
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Praise for Why Not You:


“Botterill brings readers inside life on the Canadian women’s national team and behind the curtain of Hockey Night in Canada, where she was the only female studio analyst. . . . [Botterill] writes about intense Olympic training camps and her favourite of the 174 points she ever tallied for Canada (hint, she was on ice with a young Marie-Philip Poulin). . . . She was constantly striving to prove she belonged in the chairs where women had rarely sat. . . . Botterill doesn’t agree that violence and fighting are simply part of hockey and if you don’t like it, you must be soft. She believes the game can evolve.”
—The Globe and Mail

“She’s the Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey. Jennifer Botterill may also be the social blueprint for character. In her memoir, Why Not You, Botterill’s poise and conviction shine through in her willingness to express her studious opinions to millions watching televised hockey. . . . She often has an alternate perspective from those of her usually male panellists and she vigorously defends it. . . . Why Not You is more than a hockey book. It’s the story of growing up, a child nurtured by parents who gave their children space to grow up.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

“[Why Not You] poses that same simple yet profound question to you, the reader. . . . It’s a message Botterill has carried throughout her playing career and now into the media world, and one she’s wanted to share in writing for years. . . . [In Why Not You] there’s no shortage of highs, lows and everything in between.”
—Winnipeg Sun

“Botterill’s impressive statistics landed her in the HHOF and now her achievements are further memorialized in an inspiring read. If I could pen the title of this memoir, it would be Primary Assist. I greatly admire her hockey resume and subsequent successes, not to mention our collaboration on Hockey Night in Canada. Yet, for me, the crowning achievement of Botterill’s life in sport stems from her appearance on Battle of the Blades in 2020, which I was proud to host, and for which she partnered with retired World and Olympic Champion pair skater Eric Radford. I think it speaks volumes that Radford’s passion for skating was so revitalized in that window with Jennifer that it opened the door for his return to competitive skating in the Olympics. That is Jennifer’s finest primary assist.”
—Ron MacLean, CBC sportscaster and host of Hockey Night in Canada

“Botts was a teammate I could always rely on. She brought her best on the ice and played with great consistency. She was part of one of the greatest lines of all time alongside Hefford and Ouellette—they were such a force on the ice together and an integral part of Team Canada’s success. She is such a kind person, and Why Not You shares the incredible story of a person who has reached the greatest heights in whatever she puts her mind to. I am excited for everyone to read about her journey.”
—Cassie Campbell-Pascall, three-time Olympic gold medalist and broadcaster

“I have known Jennifer for many years. I felt both proud and privileged that she helped each year with the fantasy camp I coordinated for charity. Jen has inspired so many young kids, boys and girls, to compete at the highest levels. She has a real love and passion for hockey, and her knowledge of the game is unquestionable.”
—Wayne Gretzky

“Jen’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and passion for the game. Her impact on women’s hockey spans generations, and this memoir is a powerful reflection of the person and trailblazer so many of us look up to.”
—Sarah Nurse, Olympic gold medalist, three-time IIHF World Women’s Championships gold medalist, and Vancouver Goldeneyes alternate captain

“I’ve witnessed Jen’s preparation and dedication firsthand and know it’s been a critical component to her success as a hockey player and broadcaster!”
—Kevin Bieksa, analyst for Hockey Night in Canada and former NHL player

“Why Not You is the uplifting story of how Jennifer Botterill went from being a young girl playing ringette on an outdoor rink in Winnipeg to capturing Olympic hockey gold and eventually being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Jen shares just how far perseverance, dedication, and belief in yourself can take you—and how integral the lessons learned from her family were in realizing her wildest dreams. She continues to inspire young girls and women as a hockey broadcaster and now I think you’ll find her just as compelling as an author.”
—Christine Simpson, Features Reporter for Prime Monday Night Hockey

JENNIFER BOTTERILL is one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes. A member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team for 14 years, she is a three-time Olympic champion and part of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class. These days, Botterill is an in-demand NHL analyst in both Canada and the US, regularly appearing on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and NHL on TNT. When she is not sharing her knowledge and expertise of sport on air, she is empowering others to pursue excellence as an engaging keynote speaker and peak performance coach.

KRISTINA RUTHERFORD has been writing about sports for nearly two decades and brings her expertise in sports journalism to this compelling narrative.

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