WISCONSIN — Three-time hockey Olympian and Dousman, Wis. native Brianna Decker announced her retirement Thursday on Twitter.

Decker's ending a career in which she ranks third among American women players in world championship tournament points.

“From Waukesha Warhawks Youth hockey to representing my county on the world’s state, I have decided to ‘hang ‘em up’ as they say,” Decker said in a tweet.

The 31-year-old forward from Wisconsin was a core member of USA Hockey’s next generation of female players, who built on the success of their trail-blazing predecessors. 

Decker started playing hockey at age four. She remembers playing with her brothers in the driveway, according to the USA Hockey website. In the early years, from 2005 to 2009, she played youth hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, making her national team debut with the Under-18 squad in 2008.

Before becoming an Olympic athlete, Decker played women’s hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a member of their 2011 National Championship team. As a junior in 2012, she won the NCAA player of the year award, or the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

She ended her career at UW as the second-leading point scorer and was tied for 10th in the nation with 55 points.

After college, Decker went on to play for USA Hockey. In 2015 and 2017, she won the Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Award.

She represented the U.S. at three Olympic Winter Games throughout her career, taking home a team gold medal in 2018 and silver medals in 2014 and 2022. She also won six world championship titles.

Throughout her career, she represented the U.S. in several other international events, such as the 2021 My Why Tour and Rivalry Series events. She played in eight International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship teams.

Now, after a long, successful career, she’s retiring.

“Through my 28 years of playing this amazing game I will truly miss competing, the unforgettable times in the locker room, the incredible places I traveled, and countless memories that will surely last a lifetime,” Decker said in a tweet.

Decker’s announcement comes 13 months after her last Olympic appearance ended abruptly when she broke her left fibula and tore ligaments in her ankle in a preliminary round-opening 5-2 win over Finland at the Beijing Games.

Her injury was considered a potential difference-maker in the U.S. failing to defend its Olympic title in losing the gold-medal game 3-2 to arch-rival Canada.

Decker finishes her national team career with 81 goals and 89 assists for 170 points in 147 career games. Her 68 career points in world championship play rank third on the U.S. list — one ahead of team captain Coyne Schofield, Kendall — and fourth with 40 assists.

“Brianna was a difference maker every time she stepped on the ice,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said. “While we’ll miss watching her play, we look forward to her continued involvement in the sport, and wish her the very best in the next chapter of life.”

Decker said she’s grateful for how much she’s been able to grow as an athlete and person during her time playing hockey.

In a tweet, she thanked family, friends, teammates, coaches, support staff, sponsors and fans that have supported her in her career. She also specially thanked fans at the University of Wisconsin.

“Without you all, women’s hockey wouldn’t be where it is today,” she said.

Decker has already transitioned into coaching. She is currently the associate head coach and special advisor for the Shattuck-St. Mary’s girls prep school hockey program in Minnesota  — the place her journey started.

Last year, she broke ranks from the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association to serve as a team and player development advisor for the rival Premier Hockey Federation.

Decker has also helped grow girls hockey around the country by funding programs through an endowment she launched in 2019.

“Over the course of my career, countless coaches made an immeasurable impact on my life both on and off the ice,” Decker said. “I look forward to helping shape the next generation of bright young hockey stars in the United States.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.