Girls dream big, pros look back on journey at Victoire hockey camp

The Montreal Victoire hosted a four-day youth hockey training clinic at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, west of Montreal. Nearly 90 girls between the ages of eight and 15 took to the ice to develop their skills and learn from the pros.

Some of the young athletes spoke to CBC about their hockey aspirations and what it means to be coached by their hockey heroes.

For the Victoire players, the camp was a full-circle moment. They reflected on how it was when they were in these young girls’ shoes, how they wished similar opportunities had been available to them growing up and shared their hopes for the continued growth of the game at the grassroots level. 

Meet some of young girls and Victoire members who were there.

“It's just fun to have a training camp so you can get better,” said 11-year-old Navarana Gadbois, who started skating as a four-year-old in Kuujjuaq, after seeing her dad play hockey. 

“It's actually pretty cool because when you grow up, you'll be able to go to university and at Concordia, you'll be able to play, [then] maybe play for the Victoire. But I would just be happy to play in the PWHL.”

The 11-year-old currently plays in Vaudreuil-Dorion, west of Montreal.

“It’s really, really cool. I felt great this morning because I knew I was going to meet [the] players. I was so excited that I was jumping up and down,” said 10-year-old Elizabeth Tousignante.

“I’d love to play for the Montreal Victoire. I’d also love to keep playing hockey my whole life, until the day I can’t anymore.”

"It's really important to share this passion,” said Alexandra Labelle.

“As a role model, to be there for them and just spend the day with them and not just as a hockey player, but as a person.

“I played with boys until I was 15