The Montreal Victoire recently organized a youth hockey training clinic spanning four days at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, located to the west of Montreal. Close to 90 girls aged between eight and 15 enthusiastically participated in the clinic to enhance their hockey skills and gain insights from professional players.
Several young athletes shared their hockey ambitions and the significance of being mentored by their hockey idols in conversations with CBC. For the Victoire players, this event held a special meaning as they reminisced about their own experiences as young players, expressed their desire for similar opportunities they didn’t have, and conveyed hopes for the game’s continuous development at the grassroots level.
Among the attendees were Navarana Gadbois, 11, who started skating at the age of four in Kuujjuaq after being inspired by her father’s hockey games. Expressing her joy at the training camp, she mentioned her aspirations to pursue hockey, possibly even playing for the Montreal Victoire or in the PWHL league. Elizabeth Tousignante, 10, also shared her passion for hockey and dreams of playing for the Montreal Victoire throughout her life.
Alexandra Labelle, a forward for the Victoire, emphasized the importance of sharing her passion for the sport with young players and serving as a role model. She highlighted the progress made in providing exclusive hockey camps for girls, reflecting on her own experience of playing with boys until the age of 15.
Kori Cheverie, the head coach of the Victoire, emphasized the need for continued evolution and inclusivity in the game, drawing from her upbringing in Nova Scotia where girls’ hockey and professional women’s teams were scarce. She stressed the importance of offering more ice time and ensuring inclusivity for all genders in hockey, acknowledging the progress made while emphasizing the ongoing work required for further advancement.