The Markham Thunder announced today that three-time Olympic gold medalist Cherie Piper will join the team as an assistant coach. In addition to representing Canada at multiple Olympics and World Championships, Piper spent three seasons playing for the Brampton Thunder.

She retired from professional hockey in 2013. At the time of her retirement, she was seventh  in all-time scoring on Team Canada.

Since retiring, Piper has worked with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association’s High Performance Committee. She also taught and coached hockey at the Blyth Academy.

“I wanted to get back into coaching because I enjoy the experience of helping others develop and achieve their personal goals,” Piper stated in the press release.

Piper joins head coach Jim Jackson and assistant coach Kevin Stone behind the bench. She replaces Candice Moxley, who was recently hired as the head coach of Western’s hockey team after spending a season as an assistant coach with the Thunder.