Huge fanfare for members of the Women’s hockey team returning from Sochi

Dozens of fans dressed in red and white descended on the Calgary International Airport Tuesday night to welcome home our gold medal girls.

Members of the Canadian Women’s hockey team began to arrive around the dinner hour.

One by one, Meaghan Mikkelson, Rebecca Johnston, Jocelyne Laroque and Hayley Wickenheiser all came down the escalator and received large cheers from the crowd.

Larocque tells 660News it’s great to see the fan support from so many young girls and boys.

“It’s awesome, the women’s game has grown so much and I think each year it’s becoming more and more respected,” she says. “It’s great to see, hockey is such a great sport.”

Rebecca Johnston spent much of her time signing autographs and meeting with fans.

“It is an amazing feeling, it’s been a whirlwind this past month and I’m just excited to share this moment with everyone,” Johnson exclaims.

Among those in the crowd, Marilyn Wickenheiser who was waiting patiently to see her daughter Hayley come down those steps.

After attending the gold medal game in Sochi herself, Wickenheiser says she never had any doubt about the team and her daughter’s ability to get the job done.

“We’re very proud of her, we’re just happy to have her back safe and sound and she’s bringing the gold home,” she says beaming ear to ear.

The younger Wickenheiser and long-time forward was the first to come down the escalator.

She was overwhelmed with the amount of support and homecoming she and her teammates received.

“It’s a nice reception, so many young kids and everyone here cheering us on at the airport, it’s awesome,” says Hayley.

When asked what was next, Wickenheiser says life will quickly return to normal. She plans to take her son to school, do some laundry and find time maybe for some R&R.