Olympic Skater Mirai Nagasu Was An Ice Girl In The NHL

Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

This past Sunday, 24-year-old ice skater Mirai Nagasu made history as she became the first American woman to land a triple axel in Olympic competition. And if you have no clue what the hell that is, well just check out the video below:

And that sweet move was enough to help America win a bronze medal in the team figure-skating event. But guess what? If you’re a Colorado Avalanche fan, you probably knew the name Mirai Nagasu way before America knew it. And that’s because Nagasu is a former ice girl in the NHL.

If you’re wondering what an ice girl is, they are pretty much gals who clear the ice before the game. They are honestly cheerleaders who cheer and work their butts off to maintain the ice for the hockey players. So yes, Nagasu went from ice girl, to ice skater at the Olympics, to making history.

“I tripped a couple of times going into it because I was so nervous,” Nagasu told NBC after the event. “But to tell myself ‘No, I’m going to go for it 100 percent and not pull back,’ that was really special for me.”

Nagasu was part of the Avalanche ice team for the 2015-16 NHL season. Nagasu was also ambassador at community and charity events in Colorado. So clearly this gal can do it all.

So remember, folks, that cheerleader you see at the next sporting event may just be the next Olympic athlete. Or your next bartender.

(Facebook image: Twitter)

Via NHL

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