The Montreal Victoire recently organized a youth hockey training clinic for nearly 90 girls aged eight to 15 at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, located west of Montreal. During the four-day event, the young athletes had the opportunity to enhance their skills and receive guidance from professional players.
Several of the young participants shared their hockey ambitions and experiences of being mentored by their idols. For the Victoire players, the clinic was a nostalgic moment, reminiscing about their own beginnings in the sport and expressing their desire for increased opportunities for aspiring players.
Among the attendees was 11-year-old Navarana Gadbois, who began skating at the age of four in Kuujjuaq after being inspired by her father’s hockey games. Navarana expressed her enthusiasm for the training camp, highlighting her aspirations to potentially play for the Victoire or in the PWHL league in the future.
Another attendee, 10-year-old Elizabeth Tousignante, shared her excitement at meeting the players and her dream of joining the Montreal Victoire team. She expressed her passion for hockey and her desire to continue playing the sport indefinitely.
Alexandra Labelle, a forward for the Victoire team, emphasized the importance of inspiring young players and being a role model for them. Growing up in Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Alexandra highlighted the progress in offering specialized 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, reflected on the evolution of the game and emphasized the need for inclusivity and equal opportunities for all genders in hockey. Hailing from Nova Scotia, where girls’ hockey and professional women’s teams were scarce during her youth, Kori emphasized the importance of continued growth and development in the sport.
Overall, the event highlighted the dedication of both players and coaches to inspire the next generation of hockey enthusiasts and promote gender equality in the sport.