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The Montreal Victoire hosted a four-day youth hockey training clinic at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, west of Montreal. Nearly 90 girls between the ages of eight and 15 took to the ice to develop their skills and learn from the pros.
Some of the young athletes spoke to CBC about their hockey aspirations and what it means to be coached by their hockey heroes.
For the Victoire players, the camp was a full-circle moment. They reflected on how it was when they were in these young girls’ shoes, how they wished similar opportunities had been available to them growing up and shared their hopes for the continued growth of the game at the grassroots level.
Meet some of young girls and Victoire members who were there.
Navarana Gadbois, 11
“It’s just fun to have a training camp so you can get better,” said 11-year-old Navarana Gadbois, who started skating as a four-year-old in Kuujjuaq, after seeing her dad play hockey.
“It’s actually pretty cool because when you grow up, you’ll be able to go to university and at Concordia, you’ll be able to play, [then] maybe play for the Victoire. But I would just be happy to play in the PWHL.”
The 11-year-old currently plays in Vaudreuil-Dorion, west of Montreal.
Elizabeth Tousignante, 10
“It’s really, really cool. I felt great this morning because I knew I was going to meet [the] players. I was so excited that I was jumping up and down,” said 10-year-old Elizabeth Tousignante.
“I’d love to play for the Montreal Victoire. I’d also love to keep playing hockey my whole life, until the day I can’t anymore.”
Alexandra Labelle, Victoire forward
“It’s really important to share this passion,” said Alexandra Labelle.
“As a role model, to be there for them and just spend the day with them and not just as a hockey player, but as a person.
“I played with boys until I was 15 years old, so now I feel like they have hockey camps during the summer, just girls. So that’s quite impressive the progress we made.”
Kori Cheverie, Victoire head coach
Kori Cheverie, head coach of the Victoire, grew up in Nova Scotia where they didn’t have girls hockey until the age of 15, or a professional women’s hockey team.
“I think the game has evolved. The culture has evolved. I think it needs to continue to evolve and share the space for men’s and women’s and boys’ and girls’ hockey.”
She says there needs to be more ice time available and for the sport to continue to be inclusive to all genders.
“I think we’re on our way. There’s still work to be done.”
Danièle Sauvageau was barred from playing hockey as a child because she was a girl. Today, her influence on the game spans a generation and her Olympic contribution continues in Italy.
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