Vicky Sunohara 'proud' to be among 2024 inductees into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Vicky Sunohara says when she received a call last spring from Canada Sports Hall of Fame chair Bob Rooney, who informed the hockey player of her inclusion in the 2024 class, she figured it was a prank orchestrated by a former teammate.

The Toronto native won two Olympic gold medals and seven world championships during her 19 years on the Canadian women's hockey team.

A forward, Sunohara played in the first IIHF women's world championship in 1990, as well as in the Olympic debut of women's hockey in 1998.

"I want to apologize to Bob," Sunohara said during her induction speech Wednesday at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. "Even after 20 years you gotta keep on your toes because [your former teammates] will try to get you back for something that you've done."

This past summer, Sunohara said she was grateful for the "opportunity to have represented our women's national hockey team alongside some of the most incredible teammates."

Sunohara, figure skater Patrick Chan and tennis player Daniel Nestor were among the athletes inducted. Distance runner Angela Chalmers, para swimmer Kirby Cote and the late multi-sport athlete Fred Thomas are joining them among athlete inductees.

In all, nine new members received the Order of Sport.

WATCH | Sunohara's passion for hockey, competitiveness came from her dad:

Vicky Sunohara credits her parents after receiving call to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

Guylaine Demers, who works for gender and sexual orientation equity in sport domestically and internationally, and Indigenous sports leader Alex Nelson enter as builders. High jumper Debbie Brill was recognized in the trailblazer category established in 2022. She pioneered the "Brill Bend" jump technique.

"I'm so proud to