(NEWS CENTER Maine)-- Amanda Pelkey came to Maine on Thursday to show off the Olympic gold medal she won when team USA beat team Canada last month in South Korea.
"It's to share it with everyone... inspire the next generation, because that's what we use as our motivation.... we knew when we were younger when the 98' team won, that's all we have been thinking about as hockey players but it goes beyond just sport in general, it's just inspiring people to do what they can do to follow their dreams and dream big" said Pelkey.
Pelkey grew up in Vermont where NYA girls coach Pavel Navrat played his college hockey. The two have remained friends and when he asked her to come share some stories, she never hesitated.
The gold medalist posed for selfies, signed autographs and spent quality time with the kids during her brief stop.
"I've used the word surreal a lot in the past month... I think the time where you relax and really reflect on what we did and accomplish as a team, when I stop all the talking and stuff and really take it all in, it's the best feeling in the world."