Raphaëlle Tousignant's historic berth to Canada's Para hockey team 'big step forward' for women's game

Raphaëlle Tousignant is realizing her dreams and making history in the process.

The Para hockey player from Terrebonne, Que., was recently named to Canada's national team for the upcoming world championships, becoming the first woman ever to land a roster spot.

Everything is still sinking in for the 20-year-old.

"I'm part of this team but I don't realize it yet. It's so unreal because I wanted that for so long. Hopefully by the end of the world championships I'm going to realize it," she told CBC Sports with a laugh.

It will be the first worlds hosted in Canada, which take place in Moose Jaw, Sask. The Canadians begin their tournament Monday against Korea. The event runs through to Sunday. 

Tousignant's historic first is part of a dream she has been working toward for years, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Paralympian. While Para hockey is technically a mixed sport at the Paralympic level, only three female players have ever competed in the tournament. Tousignant is hoping to be the first for Canada.

WATCH | Tousignant ready to make history:

Tousignant's drive of becoming a Paralympian began in 2018, but she was quickly met with naysayers who thought she was being naive.

"My only way was to be part of the men's team to go there; it's still the only way right now. So I just started to say to everyone, 'I want to be part of the men's team' ... and people were like, 'you're just young, you're still a child, you're not being realistic. You're a woman, they are men and they are way bigger,'" Tousignant said.

"I kind of stopped telling people that this was my dream. But at the end of the day, when I was training and when I was in competition or training camp with the women's team or provincial team, in the back of my