It's not just about playing in the NHL or winning a gold medal, it's a school of life that should provide you with lifelong friends, discipline, and a fantastic support system. The key is making sure they have fun, work hard, and then good things will happen. That can discourage many kids, meaning they'll leave the sport on a sour note. Oftentimes, hockey gets too serious way too early. "But I always encourage them to participate in several sports, not just hockey. "And that means I need to continue to promote women's hockey, because it's not at the level it should be, yet. "I knew there were a lot of little girls watching my Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony," says St-Pierre. Hockey is fun, hockey is liberating, hockey brings structure. It's sewn into every corner of the rich tapestry of our history, going back to when the Mi'kmaq people of Nova Scotia crafted the first modern hockey sticks, circa 1850.īut there's a certain double-edged sword involved in the level of importance we give to this sport, particularly for younger players trying to make their way through life. There's no denying that hockey is part of the Canadian fabric. She wants to provide the type of support every young Canadian deserves, and she does so with a unique perspective that puts an onus on mental health and variety, rather than a hockey-centric approach. "Perseverance is key, and I take that role to heart." "It's our job to teach the next generation, to teach them and motivate them," said St-Pierre. The tone in her voice shifts from humble to hopeful when she discusses the reaction of girls and boys pawing at her many shiny gold medals during one of her many school visits. The first is winning hockey games, because, statistically speaking, all she did was win.īut now the mission is a little different. There are certain things St-Pierre will always say yes to. Her empathy allows her to notice when people are not doing very well, and she's incredibly generous with her time." "She's always positive, always in a good mood, and always listens to others. "Kim St-Pierre is an angel, honestly," said longtime teammate Caroline Ouellette. And though it was an impressive journey, it serves as a reminder that for the most part, the superstars we celebrate with fervor every four years at the Olympics reached that point through sheer determination and will.Īnd now, she serves as the ultimate example for the next generation of players dreaming of beaming with pride as they receive a gold medal around their neck. One of the most dominant goaltenders of all time, St-Pierre did not play with women until she was about 18 years old. She endured the usual hardships involved in ascending to the top level of sports, but did so with the relatively insignificant amount of resources afforded to women's hockey in this country. Truth be told, there are hundreds of qualified women that deserve similar recognition, and while there has been a significant shift in perception as to who should join hockey's pantheon, the change is slow.īut without players like St-Pierre, that shift may have never occurred.
Kim St-Pierre is welcomed to the Hall by Danielle Goyette presenting her Honoured Member plaque #HHOF2020 | 📸 Dave Sandford/HHOF /qgyeOMPvPH- Hockey Hall of Fame November 16, 2021 Oh, and she was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, becoming only the eighth woman and the first female goaltender to receive the honor. A trifecta of gold medals at the Four Nations tournament.
Nine World Championship medals, including five gold medals. Her accomplishments read like a wish list of hopes and dreams from any young Canuck aspiring to make their mark. St-Pierre's brief stint with the Canadiens was simply yet another chapter in an impressive career that encompasses the best of Canadian hockey. She even presented a school report on the merit of the Roy trade to Colorado. She mimicked her favorite player, Patrick Roy, as he made spectacular saves on any given night.
Like many young goaltenders of the era, she wore her trapper and mask in the family's living room as she cheered on the Canadiens. It was a dream come true for the Chateauguay native, who happened to be a die-hard Canadiens fan. The reaction is unanimous she's a hell of a goaltender, the same conclusion most had reached whenever they witnessed St-Pierre play. The majority of the Habs did not even know they were facing the second woman to ever practice with an NHL team.
"That's what I liked most," says St-Pierre. They did not take it easy on her, and that's exactly what she wanted. Practice wraps up and whispers among the Canadiens players turn into a chorus of impressive compliments for the guest goaltender. Unfazed by the ridiculous velocity involved in an Alexei Kovalev slap shot, St-Pierre focuses on the next shot.