Lacquette hopes to help others break barriers in hockey

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Brigitte Lacquette broke barriers on the ice when she became the first First Nations player to be named to Canada’s women’s hockey team. Now she wants to help others forge an easier path in their own hockey journeys.

The 2018 Olympic silver medallist has partnered with Kruger Big Assist, a program designed to help youth hockey associations with financial assistance to make the sport more accessible for families in need.

“I know for myself, growing up, my parents didn't have a lot of money,” Lacquette told TSN. “I was fortunate enough to be able to have my reserve, which is Cote First Nation, offset the costs for hockey registration fees.”

This year, Kruger also launched The Second Assist – a $50,000 grant that is given to one of the 15 Big Assist-winning associations to support diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey.

Last week, the Cape Breton Blizzard Female Hockey Association was named the recipient of the inaugural grant for its dedication to inclusion in the game, including working with First Nations communities.

“I feel like diversity, equity and inclusion goes a long way in minor hockey, and we have to make hockey a more inclusive space, a safe space for youth to want to play the sport,” Lacquette said.

Originally from Mallard, Man., a small community of fewer than 200 people, Lacquette, 29, said many of her toughest times in the sport came at a young age.

“A lot of the times that I've experienced racism has been at the minor hockey level,” she said. “I would hate to see other kids going through exactly what I went through. I got through it, but I had a strong support system around me to turn those negatives into a positive. A lot of kids don't have that.”

Lacquette, who also serves on the