The Montreal Victoire recently organized a youth hockey clinic at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre in the western part of Montreal. Nearly 90 girls aged between eight and 15 participated in the four-day clinic to enhance their hockey skills and gain insights from professional players.
Several young athletes shared their hockey ambitions and the significance of being coached by their role models. For the Victoire players, the camp was a nostalgic experience as they remembered being in the same position as these young girls. They expressed their desire for more opportunities like this during their own upbringing and their hopes for the sport’s continuous development at the grassroots level.
Among the participants was 11-year-old Navarana Gadbois, who started 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 its role in skill improvement. She also shared her aspirations of playing at higher levels in the future.
Another participant, 10-year-old Elizabeth Tousignante, expressed her excitement about meeting the players and her dream of playing for the Montreal Victoire team one day. She emphasized her passion for hockey and her intention to continue playing for as long as possible.
Alexandra Labelle, a forward for the Victoire team, stressed the importance of sharing the passion for hockey with younger generations. She highlighted her experience of transitioning from playing with boys to having dedicated girls’ hockey camps, indicating the progress made in promoting the sport among girls.
Head coach Kori Cheverie, who hails from Nova Scotia where girls’ hockey and professional women’s teams were scarce during her youth, emphasized the need for continued evolution and inclusivity in the sport. Cheverie underscored the importance of providing equal opportunities for all genders and ensuring increased access to ice time for aspiring players.
Overall, the event showcased the dedication of both young aspiring players and professional athletes to foster growth and inclusivity in women’s hockey.