A Hall-of-Famer’s Childhood Story Crystalizes Importance Of Women’s Pro Hockey

Of the estimated 42 billion doors in the world, it feels like Daniele Sauvageau has opened most of them for generations of women in hockey to walk through. Including the one slammed in her face as a girl in a Montreal suburb.

Sauvageau and her brother went to the local rink hoping to play organized hockey. Brother Sylvain was welcomed; she, however, was told she could only fill the water bottles on the bench.

Sauvageu recalled that infuriating memory at her Hockey Hall of Fame induction earlier this month. (How’s that for sweet revenge?) Yet another barrier broken by the current general manager of the PWHL Montreal Victoire – of the 119 honored members in the “Builder” category, she’s the first woman. Sauvageau’s trailblazing extended to multiple hockey roles both as a coach and executive, most notably leading Canada to a women’s gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

She told the audience at the induction that in receiving the Hall’s call, “In a second, all those ‘No’s,’ that you cannot play, you cannot coach, lifted. A lot has happened since I was told ‘You cannot play hockey.’ You don’t have to change the goal of your dream, just the path to get there.” (Sauvageu’s path included three decades in law enforcement, so she likely got to tell a few other people “No” along the way.)

With the Seattle Torrent set to play their first-ever home game this Friday (1 pm PT at Climate Pledge Arena vs. the Minnesota Frost), I put this question to a pair of PWHL executives – one a former Team Canada star – and to Sauvageau herself: What does it mean to have gone from a girl turned away at the rink to a packed arena set to embrace pro women’s hockey in Seattle?

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Jayna Hefford, PWHL Senior VP of Hockey Operations

“Danielle told that story incredibly well. I was there for her Hall of Fame induction, which we’re very proud of her for that. Many women who play the game, at one point or another felt like they didn’t belong or didn’t have a future in the game. That’s part of what this league means to so many people.

“Every time I enter our arenas, there’s a sense of gratitude, there’s a sense of joy, there’s a sense of appreciation for where this game has gotten to. I think we provide a space for many people that never felt they were included in the game or could be a part of the game. That’s one of the things that is so special about the PWHL.

“When I was growing up, I realized I wouldn’t play in the NHL because I was a girl. That dream evolved for me into competing in the Olympics. But again, that’s once every four years, and that’s a small number of players that get to do that.

“And so now to be able to have a league like this – I see it every day in my own kids and the teams I coach and the impact that this league’s having on so many young girls and young boys.

“One of the things I’m most proud of with this league is the opportunities it creates not only on the ice, but in coaching, and officiating, in media, and the list goes on and on. The people that can now find a place for themselves in hockey.”

Amy Scheer, PWHL Senior VP of Business Operations

“From a league (office) perspective, we are so privileged to have the most wonderful group, who every day get up and work with a mission to ensure that this league is sustained. That we continue to build the league the right way with the right resources for our players and for our fans.

“It’s our job to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, because that often has a habit of doing just that.

“And that’s why we go to work every day, to ensure that little girls can fulfill their dreams. And to make sure that this league is around for generations to come. That’s our goal, that’s our dream, and that’s our mission.”

Danièle Sauvageau, Montreal Victoire General Mgr.

“I was talking to someone, and we were watching a practice together. And I said, ‘Well, (we’re watching) the next GM – not yet, but the next GM and assistant GM (in PWHL’s future years).’ And we’re just continuing to grow. It’s very important to grow with our leadership group, our players, and to be sharing that with them.

“It’s very symbolic as well, because it’s almost made me forget about everything before. We have to celebrate the past, because the past got us where we are. But every day it’s a new process, and every day is a new day.

“This is our third season. But if we go back in time 24 months, how much we’ve grown as an organization and as a league is unbelievable, because we’re building, obviously the teams, the identity, as well as all our processes. I’m very privileged to be surrounded by people who know what they’re doing, having the competency, having the leadership.

“We’re also having fun. Coming to work every day, for me, has not been work because this is something that I’ve dreamt of. Every day we’re growing. It’s a blessing.”