The Montreal Victoire organized a four‑day youth hockey training clinic at the Dollard‑des‑Ormeaux Civic Centre, drawing nearly 90 girls between eight and fifteen from communities across Quebec.
Among the participants were Navarana Gadbois, an eleven‑year‑old from Kuujjuaq who began skating at four, and ten‑year‑old Elizabeth Tousignante, both expressing ambitions to turn their childhood love of the sport into professional careers.
For Gadbois, the dream includes wearing a Concordia University uniform and eventually skating in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, a goal she described with youthful excitement.
Tousignante echoed the sentiment, saying that playing for the Montreal Victoire would be a “dream come true” and that the camp gave her a glimpse of that possibility.
The clinic also featured Alexandra Labelle, a forward for the Victoire, who recalled her own experience growing up playing with boys until age fifteen and now advocates for more grassroots opportunities for girls.
Mentorship on the Ice
Kori Cheverie, the head coach of the Victoire, reflected on how hockey culture has evolved, noting that while progress has been made, there remains a pressing need for gender‑inclusive access to ice time and resources.
Danièle Sauvageau, coach of Canada’s women’s national team, added her perspective, emphasizing that expanding participation across all genders is essential for the sport’s long‑term health.
The camp served not only as a skill‑building session but also as a platform for mentorship, allowing professional players to share personal stories and outline pathways for the next generation.
Organizers highlighted that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to make hockey more accessible, especially in underserved regions such as the Montérégie and Nova Scotia, where ice‑time scarcity often limits growth.