For the only girls team at Quebec City's International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, it's about representation

Natalia Chenier sometimes feels like she's dreaming, as she walks around at the International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in Quebec City.

"I've wanted to do this for so long. I still can't believe I'm here. It's amazing!" she said.

Chenier is a forward with the Girls PeeWee All-Stars, the only all-female team playing in the 2022 edition of the storied tournament, which brings together 130 teams from all over the world.

She's excited about taking to the big ice at the Videotron Centre, after the tournament was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I honestly feel like I'm really lucky to be here because not many girls get to come to the Pee-Wees. I'm really lucky to come here and represent them."

Chenier is from Baie d'Urfé in Montreal. She plays with a boys triple-A team. But she loves playing with the All-Stars and hopes someday it won't be the only girls team in competition.

"A division would be amazing. It would be great to see girls playing the sport and doing what they love," she says.

Coach Caroline Ouellette understands her players' excitement.

"It's always incredible for me to see how excited they are, how they're achieving a dream being here. And I'm having a great time."

Ouellette is a pioneer in women's hockey. As a member of the Canadian women's team, she is a four-time Olympic gold medallist and six-time world champion.

She says a tournament like the Pee-Wees in Quebec City empowers the girls to play with other girls and be competitive. Ouellette says other coaches and players tell her how surprised they are at how well — and how hard — the girls play.

She says it's important for the boys to see that.

"I think that lesson they learn at 11, 12, to respect women, to respect girls in sport is huge."