For as long as Jade Iginla can remember, hockey has been a part of her life. Whether it was watching her dad play in the NHL and internationally with Canada, or just experiencing the sport with her two younger brothers, hockey has been there.

“It was always around, growing up in a hockey household,” says Jade, 17. “Getting to watch my dad and have him as a role model, his advice, it really does make a world of difference. Obviously, he’s my dad first, but all his knowledge of the sport is always valuable and appreciated.”

Jarome Iginla needs no introduction to Canadian hockey fans; he spent 20 seasons in the National Hockey League, scored 625 goals and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last fall.

He also made his mark with Team Canada, recording 47 points in 47 games across seven appearances in red and white, including gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, IIHF World Championship and Olympic Winter Games, in addition to a World Cup of Hockey title.

Jade is the latest member of the Iginla family to step into the international hockey spotlight, wearing the Maple Leaf for the first time with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

After missing the preliminary round with an upper-body injury, Jade made her tournament debut for Canada in its quarterfinal against Slovakia. She tallied a total of three points (one goal, two assists) in three games, opening the scoring in a semifinal win over Finland and earning a helper on the 2-0 goal in the gold medal game as Canada claimed a sixth world title.

She hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps, but also wants to see what she can do for herself.

“There’s a lot of pride to representing the Maple Leaf,” says Jade, who will attend Brown University beginning in the fall. “My dad played a huge role in my family and in my life, but I’m also creating my own path with the Canadian program and in hockey.”

For Jarome, he is proud to see Jade’s success and development over the years, whether it was in minor hockey in with Girls Hockey Calgary, with RHA Kelowna in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, and now with Hockey Canada.

The important piece for Jarome is to continue to support Jade as a father, while sharing his hockey knowledge and experience when it is needed.

“It’s really cool to see her working forwards, having success, and going through the battles,” he says. “It's different being on the other side, but exciting that she has that passion and is representing her country. Just to even make it this far, she's very, very honoured and we are very proud of her.”

To add to the family’s hockey story, Tij Iginla will become the next member to join the Hockey Canada program this summer when he participates in the national under-17 development camp.

The ninth-overall pick by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Tij, 15, hopes to continue the hockey success in the family.

“Being named to the U17 development camp, being at that level with players across Canada, I’m really looking forward to it,” says Tij. “Jade has been very inspiring [at U18 women’s worlds] and has set a good example for me and my brother (Joe, 13).

“Being able to see my dad, wearing the Maple Leaf throughout his career, seeing Canada’s golden goal [in 2010], for me, my brother and my sister, we want to be like that as well.”

Having hockey in their lives, Jarome is happy to know the family is able to share and experience these moments together thanks to the game, and it’s just getting started.

“I have been always very thankful for our kids,” he says. “They enjoy hockey, and they enjoy sports. It’s something that I’ve been able to share that with them, and have been able to spend time with them. We feel very blessed.”

MADISON, Wisconsin – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team is bringing home gold from the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship after a thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States in the gold medal game Monday.

Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game, redirecting an Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ont./Oakville, OWHA U22 Elite) shot from the point past American goaltender Annelies Bergmann, marking Canada’s first power-play goal of the tournament. Madison Chantler (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) also provided an assist.  

The score remained 1-0 until just past the midway mark of the second period when a blast from Murphy found the back of the net after a strong forecheck from Jade Iginla (Lake Country, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL), who was credited with an assist alongside Aubin.

Jocelyn Amos (Ailsa Craig, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) jumped on a rebound to net the eventual game-winner just 58 seconds later to increase the Canadian lead to three, with Karel Préfontaine (Gatineau, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) and Sara Swiderski (Langley, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) chipping in assists.

The United States pushed back late in the second with goals from Finley McCarthy and Claire Enright just seven seconds apart, making it a one-goal game heading into the final frame, but Canada was able to fend off late pressure to capture its sixth gold medal and first since 2019.

“We knew what we had to do. We had to stick together and work on the habits that we have been working on this whole tournament,” said Murphy. “We talked about getting pucks on net, so when the puck came to my stick, I knew what I had to do. I threw the puck in front of the net, and we were lucky to get [our first] goal out of it. I’m so proud of everyone, we really worked hard. To have our dreams come true and win gold is an amazing moment.”

Mari Pietersen (Goodwood, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) was terrific in net, shutting the door in the third period as part of a 29-save performance.

A full game summary can be found at HockeyCanada.ca.

Following the gold medal game, Swiderski was named to the media all-star team. In six games, she contributed two assists and 16 shots on goal, and was instrumental in Canada’s defensive efforts with a +6 rating.

“I dreamed about this moment, but I did not believe it would feel this good,” said Swiderski. “It feels great to be recognized [as an all-star], but it is not possible without my teammates; they gave me the opportunities to showcase myself. Our team was aggressive and that brought us momentum today.”

“It was a great effort, there was lots of hunger, lots of battle. The [United States] is such a skilled team, and they are so strong, so we had to grit it out,” said head coach Howie Draper (Edmonton, Alta./University of Alberta, CW). “It is so fun playing in a game this big against such a strong team; you want to get into these tough competitions. Our players were prepared to do anything to find success. They really played for each other.”

Canada finished the preliminary round in third place in Group A after a win over Sweden and losses to Finland and the United States. It booked a spot in the gold medal game with a dominant 7-0 win over Slovakia in the quarterfinals and a narrow 2-1 victory over Finland in the semifinals.

Since 2008, Canada has collected six gold medals at the U18 women’s worlds, to go along with seven silver and one bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE BLOG

MADISON, Wisconsin – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team punched its ticket to the gold medal game at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, downing Finland 2-1 in the semifinals on Sunday.

• Jade Iginla (Lake Country, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) opened the scoring with her first international goal 15:04 into the game.
• Madison Chantler (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) scored midway through the third period to give Canada a late lead.
• Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL), Mckenna Van Gelder (Etobicoke, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) and Karel Préfontaine (Gatineau, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) chipped in with one assist each.
• Mari Pietersen (Goodwood, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made nine saves.
• Canada outshot Finland 45-10.

Following the game, Jocelyn Amos (Ailsa Craig, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite), Sarah MacEachern (Cornwall, P.E.I./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) and Sara Swiderski (Langley, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) were named Team Canada’s three best players of the tournament.

Next Game:
Canada vs. United States or Sweden (gold medal game) – Monday, June 13 (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games; check local listings for details.

Quotes:
“It has been an extraordinary experience for [the team] off the ice, and we have a very tight-knit group. It has taken a little longer than we might have expected, but we are starting to come together as a team on the ice. I think we are getting better every game and hopefully tomorrow will be our best game of the tournament, which is what we were shooting for.”

-         Head coach Howie Draper (Edmonton, Alta./University of Alberta, CW) on his team’s progression through the tournament

“[My goal] started in the defensive zone. We had a good breakout pass to get going and my linemates worked hard in the corner to get me the puck. It feels great [to advance to the gold medal game]. We worked through our adversity and now we are all here as a group for a shot at a gold medal.”

-         Iginla on scoring her first international goal and playing for a gold medal

“We had good defensive zone coverage and then [Karel Préfontaine] popped [the puck] over to me off the boards and I took the chance to drive by their defence, take a shot and it went in. I am so proud of this team. We would not have been able to [get to the gold medal game] if we did not all work together. The energy is pretty high in the locker room.”

-         Chantler on putting her team ahead in the third and earning a spot in the gold medal game

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

GAME STATS

TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct

Canada has fought its way back from a slow start at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and will face the United States in the final on Monday night, just one win away from its sixth gold medal.

LAST GAME

After falling 2-0 to Finland in its prelim opener last Monday, Canada got its revenge in the semifinals, booking its ticket to the gold medal game thanks to a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon. Jade Iginla scored her first of the tournament in just her second game, and Madison Chantler netted the game-winner with 9:30 left to send Canada to its 13th gold medal game.

The U.S. came away with a narrow semifinal win to go to its 13th straight final, edging Sweden 3-2. Sydney Morrow opened the scoring for the Americans in the first, but the Swedes scored twice in the second to take a lead to the final frame. There would be no upset, though – Margaret Scannell tied things up early in the final frame and Grace Dwyer scored with 6:31 left to give the U.S. a shot at its ninth world title.

LAST MEETING

Canada suffered its worst loss ever to the Americans, getting blanked 7-0 in the prelim finale The U.S. capitalized on Canada’s penalty trouble, going 3-for-7 on the power play. After allowing five goals on 18 shots, Hailey MacLeod was replaced by Mari Pietersen, who finished out the game with two goals on 14 saves and has played every minute in the Canadian goal since then.

WHAT TO WATCH

Although she hasn’t stood out through goals and assists (she has 1-2—3 in five games), Karel Préfontaine has been a presence for Canada. An alternate captain and top-line winger, Préfontaine is an end-to-end player, limiting scoring opportunities on the backcheck and using good up-ice vision to break the zone. Against the Americans she’ll need to utilize her playmaking abilities to create more quality chances and use her strength to win puck battles in the corners.

While she hasn’t been kept as busy as other goaltenders in the tournament (a testament to the United States’ puck control), Annelies Bergmann boasts the best save percentage in the tournament (.957), allowing just three goals in three games. Solving Bergmann early will be key, especially after she posted a 25-save shutout against the Canadians in the preliminary round.

A LOOK BACK

In a tale of two goliaths, Canada and the United States have faced off against each other 20 times over the years, including 12 of the 13 gold medal games. Of their 20 matchups, 10 have required overtime (including the most recent Canadian gold in 2019), with two decided in a shootout.

Canada’s most comfortable came in the 2014 gold medal game. Sarah Potomak and Ève-Audrey Picard scored twice and Shea Tiley made 26 saves in the 5-1 win, earning Canada a third-straight gold medal.

All-time record: U.S. leads 13-7 (6-4 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 42
United States goals: 59

GAME STATS

TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct

After a low offensive output throughout the preliminary round, Canada answered the call against Slovakia in the quarterfinals to punch its ticket to the semifinals against Finland.

LAST GAME

Canada’s offence found its groove against Slovakia, coming away with a 7-0 win in the quarterfinals—flipping the score the Americans put up against the Canadians the night before. Canada saw goals from seven different skaters, with Madison Chantler, Ava Murphy, Karel Préfontaine and Mckenna Van Gelder finishing with a goal and an assist each. Mari Pietersen earned her first international shutout, but it was Slovakia’s Livia Debnarova who saw all the action, making 58 saves on 65 shots.

Finland is coming off a loss, going back and forth with Nordic rivals Sweden in its final preliminary game on Thursday to fall 5-4. Jenna Raunio was the hero for Sweden, scoring the winning goal with just eight seconds left on the clock. The loss created a three-way tie in Group A, with Finland earning a bye to the semifinals on the back of its 5-9 goal differential over Canada’s 3-10 and Sweden’s 6-10.

LAST MEETING

Canada was served its first loss against Finland in tournament history earlier this week, getting blanked 2-0 in its first preliminary game on Monday. The Canadians weathered a strong first period from the Finns, thanks in large part to goaltender Hailey MacLeod, and directed 33 shots at Finnish netminder Emilia Kyrkkö in the final 40 minutes (and 40 overall), but couldn’t find a goal and lost for the first time in 10 meetings with the Finns at the tournament.

WHAT TO WATCH

With Canada’s focus on creating better scoring opportunities, blueliner Ava Murphy’s play stood out against Slovakia with a powerful drive to the net in the third to collect her own rebound for her first goal of the tournament. The 5-foot-9 defender’s ability to jump into the play created good looks for Canada, who will need to keep control in the offensive zone to stay competitive against Finland.

Finland’s historic win over Canada to open the tournament was in large part due to Canada’s shot selection. On the scoring opportunities the Canadians did generate, Finland’s Kyrkkö covered well.

A LOOK BACK

Before Canada dropped its first ever game against Finland on Monday, it held a 9-0 record against the Finns, allowing only three goals against in those nine meetings.

The most dominant victory for the Canadians came in the inaugural matchup in Calgary, with Canada earning a 17-0 win. Marie-Philip Poulin had a hat trick, Laura Fortino added a goal and four assists and Natalie Spooner chipped in with five helpers in the 2008 game.

All-time record: Canada leads 9-1
Canada goals: 61
Finland goals: 5

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE BLOG

 MADISON, Wisconsin – Seven different skaters scored as Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team advanced to the semifinals at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship with a convincing 7-0 victory over Slovakia in the quarterfinals on Friday.

• Madison Chantler (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite), Mckenna Van Gelder (Etobicoke, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), Alyssa Regalado (Mississauga, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), Karel Préfontaine (Gatineau, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) and Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ont./Oakville, OWHA U22 Elite) had one goal and an assist each, recording their first international goals and assists.
• Jordan Baxter (Coquitlam, B.C./Delta Hockey Academy, CSSHL) and Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) rounded out the scoring with their first international goals.
• Sarah MacEachern (Cornwall, P.E.I./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) chipped in with three assists.
• Jade Iginla (Lake Country, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL), Sara Swiderski (Langley, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL), Piper Grober (Toronto, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite) and Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) recorded one assist apiece.
• Mari Pietersen (Goodwood, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made five saves to record her first international shutout.
• Canada outshot Slovakia 65-5.

Next Game:
Canada vs. Finland (semifinals) – Sunday, June 12 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast both semifinals, as well as the bronze and gold medal games; check local listings for details.

Quotes:

“I really liked our team’s energy. They were excited to play. It is really important to get back on the ice after a loss like last night against the [United States] and play a strong game. We are excited for the opportunity to play [Finland] again. We started out the tournament with some nerves, but I think we will come out more loose knowing what to expect.”

-         Assistant coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, Ont./University of Toronto, OUA) on her team’s effort and the opportunity to play Finland in the semifinals

“Coach Howie [Draper] told us what we needed to do. We did not want to focus on winning the game [as a whole], but rather what we were going to do each period to get the victory. I think we stuck to the game plan and that is why we came out with consistency. We are hungry and we are ready for [Finland].”

-         Murphy on her coach’s message before the game and the rematch against Finland

“I am just going to keep shooting and taking the amazing passes from my teammates to get scoring opportunities. Last game we were a little flat-footed, but we were moving our feet well today. I think we have more confidence as a team now. We moved the puck a lot better [today] and we were hungry, and everyone wants to win.”

-         Swiderski on getting on the scoresheet and the team’s confidence moving forward

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Competing for a roster spot on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team with the best players across the country can be a daunting task. But for several members of Team Canada, they had five of their teammates by their side during the process.

Avi Adam, Reichen Kirchmair, Sarah MacEachern, Mari Pietersen, Alyssa Regalado and Mckenna Van Gelder all play with the Etobicoke Dolphins in the U22 Elite division of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). Now, the three forwards, two defenders and one goaltender have traded in their Dolphins jerseys for the Maple Leaf to represent Canada at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

“It can be scary being away from home and being in a selection camp,” says Pietersen, 17. “Knowing that I have support of my five teammates that are here with me, [it] kind of feels like a home away from home.”

This is the first time in Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team history that there have been six players from the same club team on one roster. Since 2008, there has been five instances of Team Canada having four members from one team, mostly recent the Pursuit of Excellence from the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) in 2018.

“Having the girls here with me today, I feel so supported,” says Van Gelder, 18. “We all went through the same thing. We can all talk to each other about it. And it's just a great thing to have some of your best friends here with you.”

GAME DAY🇨🇦!!! Good luck to these @JrDolphins as their U18 journey officially begins today. #BleedBlue #OCanada pic.twitter.com/eTHJPGToE9

— 𝐄𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 (𝐏𝐖𝐇𝐋) (@JrDolphins) June 6, 2022

The chemistry amongst the Dolphins is not limited to this season, either. Adam, MacEachern, Regalado and Van Gelder will head to Cornell University together in the fall. Kirchmair, Regalado and Van Gelder have been with the Dolphins’ U22 team since the 2019-20 season. Even further, Regalado and Van Gelder have played together since they were eight years old.

“Whenever I want to talk about hockey... she's always right there for me and such a great hockey player,” says Regalado, 18, of Van Gelder. “It's so good to be able to experience these big achievements with her and to be able to play with her at this next level.”

The preparation to play for Team Canada can be linked back to their time with Etobicoke. Head coach Joe Butkevich says the team focuses on educating players about professionalism, strength conditioning, and on- and off-ice expectations—all intangibles that pay off in the national team selection process.

“They’ve accomplished so much, whether it be academically or scholarships or provincial programs, and now the national program. It’s been awesome just to sit back as a fan of theirs,” Butkevich says. “We just play a small role in helping them get to where they are, so this has been phenomenal. It’s been a journey like no other.”

The 2021-22 season for the Dolphins has been a journey in itself. After finishing first in their division, the Dolphins went into a tough league championship weekend and finished as runner-up to the Durham West Lightning. In the two weeks leading up to the provincial tournament, Etobicoke felt like it had unfinished business and became laser-focused on their next goal: to win the OWHA title.

The Dolphins took an “all gas, no brakes” mentality into the tournament. In the end, Etobicoke defeated Durham West 2-1 in the final to win the team’s first-ever provincial championship.

“It’s kind of a storybook ending for us, especially for kids that have been on the program for three years or two years,” Butkevich says. “I wanted it for them. They give their heart and soul for our program, and they did everything.”

“It was surreal. I’m still on cloud nine,” Van Gelder says about winning the provincial title. “Everyone was just playing for each other at that point. No one cared who got the points. No one cared who got the ice time. We just wanted to say that we were provincial champions. We wanted that medal around our necks.”

GAME DAY🇨🇦!!! Good luck to these @JrDolphins as their U18 journey officially begins today. #BleedBlue #OCanada pic.twitter.com/PdSLNXN0H7

— 𝐄𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 (𝐏𝐖𝐇𝐋) (@JrDolphins) June 6, 2022

Out of the six Dolphins on Team Canada, only Pietersen is returning to Etobicoke next season before she heads to Boston University in 2023. She is soaking up the experience at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship so she can share with her teammates next season.

“I’ll be an older girl with the team next year, so [I can] provide more of a leadership role [to] a lot of the younger girls,” Pietersen says. “Kind of show them what it was like to be [on] a national team and hopefully be someone they can look up to.”

From the regular season to playoffs, and now representation on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, the Etobicoke community has been with these six players every step of the way.

“I think we all got choked up when they called home [saying they made the team], but the first thing from every parent that I’ve talked to was, ‘How about the rest of the girls?’ Everybody’s pulling for each other,” Butkevich says.

“Playing in Etobicoke has been amazing,” Pietersen adds. “The community is so close. Our team was the closest team I’ve ever been a part of. Always supporting one another through the players, staff, the families. It just motivates you so much, and it makes you feel like you always have someone to go to.”

Having a trusted community support system is also beneficial when you are competing on an international stage for the first time in your career.

“During these times, it can get really stressful because everyone’s trying to be at their best and perform at their highest level,” Regalado says. “I know myself personally, I put a lot of pressure on myself. So just having an outlet to go and talk to and laugh with, or just forget about what’s happening right now and just focus on having a good laugh, I just think it’s really big.”

We are pretty proud to watch our @JrDolphins players wear the 🔴 & ⚪️ for @HockeyCanada. 🇨🇦🔵⚪️#BleedBlue #OCanada pic.twitter.com/vqfTCQ6MeX

— 𝐄𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 (𝐏𝐖𝐇𝐋) (@JrDolphins) June 9, 2022

As the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship continues in Madison and Middleton, Wis., the six Dolphins are looking forward to enjoying this experience not only with their Etobicoke teammates, but also with their newly created Team Canada family.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid, since the Sochi Olympics when I saw the game-winning goal,” Van Gelder says. “Representing your country with 22 other family members [is] an unreal experience.”

“Now, it’s just about being a good teammate,” Regalado adds. “I’ve come so far. They know how I can play… how can I support my teammates?

“The good connections on and off the ice will really lead to how we can be successful and hopefully win a gold medal in the end.”

There may be six Dolphins on the ice in Wisconsin, but there will be another in the stands. Butkevich will be at the U18 women’s worlds in person, cheering on his players while they wear the Maple Leaf.

“I have a Hockey Canada jersey with all their name bars across the back of it, so I’m pretty pumped. I feel like a second dad to them, I got goosebumps right now thinking about it,” Butkevich says. “I can’t wait to watch them as a fan, not as a coach, but—other than their family—their biggest supporter.”

For Dee McWatters, pride comes with respect, honour, determination and – most of all – acceptance.

The Summerland, B.C., minor hockey official and adult-league goaltender opened up to her community and world as transgender in 2018, announcing her intentions of transitioning from male to female.

As an official in the Penticton Minor Hockey Association and part of a women’s team, hockey has helped McWatters through her challenges.

“It’s beyond me,” she says of being readily accepted. “Let’s face it, sometimes the game has its male-dominated machismo, and it’s not the most comfortable place to come out.

“I remember what locker-room talk was like [when] I was a teen. It was a different era, but now my kids have spent time coaching and are the ones in the dressing room. Now they have the opportunity to be the influence in the room to provide that safe environment. It’s about sharing the game, allowing people to be diverse and be themselves.

“That future McDavid Gretzky or Ovechkin – it’s possible they may have come and gone because they left the sport at 14 because they just felt this is not a place where [they] feel comfortable,” McWatters, 48, says. “That would be a shame if that has happened. There shouldn’t be anyone who leaves the game because of how they may identify. They should be welcomed. We’re getting closer.”

McWatters, who also works as an operations manager with Time Family of Wines, now works to build a comfortable space for other transgender athletes.

After she came out to herself five years ago, McWatters remembers sharing her transition with the rest of her hockey community.

"aAt the time, I was doing more coaching and officiating in Summerland. I let the association know what I was going through with my transition, to not let it affect anything with my coaching and make sure they had my support, because they’re supposed to support me.”

She was officiating and not playing at the time.

“As a goaltender, I wasn’t really big on regular men’s beer league. I enjoyed refereeing it. It was good exercise and I made a couple of bucks. Then a few years ago I [officiated] a few games in the South Okanagan Women’s League and at the wind-up party someone asked me if I still played.

“I said, ‘Not really, I do coach and it’s been a while since I was in the net.’ And they were like, ‘You’re a goalie? That’s even more important.’ I said, ‘Well I’m not fully female yet.’ They said, ‘Yes you are. You identify as a female. Totally, yes, you’re one of us.’

From there, McWatters rediscovered her love of the game as a player, joining another team in the fall of 2019.

“only one of the girls knew me and they were like, ‘Who’s this new goalie we’re trying out? She’s awesome. Is she staying with us this season?’ I was just fully accepted as one of the ladies playing the game and I loved it.”

That’s when McWatters also found out about an all-transgender team competing in Boston, playing a weekend of games facing Boston Pride’s gay hockey team, with another event planned in Madison, Wisconsin the following year.

“I wanted to go to [Madison] and I raised some funds to go and had so much support that I turned it into a fundraiser for local youth LGBTQ programs. Then the [COVID-19] pandemic hit and Madison did not eventually happen. Hockey took a turn for a season and life went on,” she remembers.

“Things started lifting last year and I held another fundraiser and supported five different youth organizations, two local high school bursaries and donated money to Team Trans North America, to help fund those who otherwise couldn’t afford to go to one of our tournaments.”

She eventually competed in Wisconsin last year, playing at age 47, and was encouraged by seeing young athletes in their 20s being able to play the game they love as their authentic selves.

McWatters’ inspiration turned to action as she approached BC Hockey about developing an educational program to promote more diversity and support for hockey associations.

She was recently involved in a Zoom meeting with Kamloops Minor Hockey where a friend of hers is on the executive.

“They have a player [and their] family going through transitioning, and they want to make sure they have all the proper pieces in place to support the player and family so that they can move forward,” says McWatters, who was more than willing to help.

“That’s what I want to do, make sure no one leaves our game. They enjoy playing the game and they shouldn’t be pushed out because they’re uncomfortable as a person, whether they identify differently or whether their sexual orientation or preferences are different. It shouldn’t matter as we’re all just here to play this wonderful game of hockey.”

She also officiated at the girls’ provincial U15 tournament in Kelowna.

“I had the support of the Penticton Minor Hockey referee-in-chief to attend, but it was more that I wanted to show some visibility and spread the message that there are people like me in the game,” McWatters says.

“I am very visible. I never forget that I’m there to officiate, but I also want people to see who I am so that there might be some identifying young player or coach or fellow official that sees me out there and realizes, ‘I can be me and still stay in this game that I love.’”

In a sport she has adored since she started at eight years old before taking up officiating at 12, she now hopes to be a role model; McWatters encourages people to ask questions how they can support players in a similar position.

“I have gone through many steps, from accepting who I was, to others accepting, to my social transition, to my medical transition,” she shares. “I have gone through hormone replacement and gender reassignment surgery. That’s not the end-all, be-all for everybody. That was my choice. But I live every day completely and authentically as the female that [I] was meant to be inside.”

Mario Annicchiarico is a freelance writer based in Victoria who has previously covered the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, as well as the Western Hockey League.

key,,GAME STATS

TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct

Canada finished third in Group A after a disappointing loss against the U.S. Thursday night, missing an opportunity for a bye to the semifinals to instead meet Slovakia for the first time in the quarterfinals.

LAST GAME

Canada’s National U18 Team was served its greatest defeat ever by the Americans getting blanked 7-0. Canada is the most penalized team in the tournament so far, adding on seven more penalties in its final preliminary game. The U.S. capitalized, scoring three times on the power play. After allowing five goals on 18 shots, Hailey MacLeod swapped with Mari Pietersen who finished out the game with two goals on 14 saves. Madison Keiser finished with three points for the U.S., and Laila Edwards and Sydney Morrow added assists to bring their point totals to seven each—the most in the tournament.

Slovakia needed four goals against Germany to earn one of the top two spots in Group B, and they did that and then some by winning 6-2. Slovakia’s captain Hana Fancovicova led the way offensively, finishing with two goals and an assist while Barbora Kapicakova earned player of the game with two goals of her own.

WHAT TO WATCH

With 121 shots on goal through three preliminary games, the Canadians only have three goals to show for it and sit last in the tournament for scoring efficiency. Forcing play to the centre of the ice and creating traffic will be key for Howie Draper’s forwards as well as staying out of the penalty box. Canada’s weakness is Slovakia’s strength as it sits second in the tournament on the power play.

Slovakia’s win over Germany was its first win of the tournament and just its second win ever at the U18 world championship. While Canada boasts a much more impressive history, it’s never a good idea to discount an underdog riding the momentum of a clutch win.

A LOOK BACK

This will be the first time Canada has ever faced Slovakia at the U18 world championship. 2020 marked the first year Slovakia participated, finishing eighth with just one overtime win against Switzerland. Slovakia was relegated from the tournament this year but eventually took the spot of the IIHF-banned Russian team.

Slovakia has 16 goals in eight world championship games played compared to Canada’s 358 goals in 69 games played since 2008 at this tournament. However, Slovakia to date has outscored Canada at the 2022 competition, 5-3.

All-time record: 0-0
Canada goals: 0
Slovakia goals: 0

GAME STATISTICS | LIVE BLOG

MADISON, Wisconsin – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team closed out the preliminary round at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship with a loss, falling 7-0 to the United States on Thursday.

• Jocelyn Amos (Ailsa Craig, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) registered three shots on goal and was named Player of the Game.
• Sara Swiderski (Langley, B.C./RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) led all Canadian skaters in time on ice with 21:16.
• Hailey MacLeod (Abbotsford, B.C./Delta Hockey Academy, CSSHL) made 13 saves in just over 26 minutes before being relieved by Mari Pietersen (Goodwood, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), who made 14 saves.
• The United States outshot Canada 34-25.

Next Game:

Canada vs. Slovakia (quarterfinals) – Friday, June 10 (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast both quarterfinals, both semifinals, and the bronze and gold medal games; check local listings for details.

Quotes:

“Sometimes you lose focus and stop understanding that you are going to have more success as a team out there. We can not let ourselves get down. [We have] three more games to win, so we have to go into those thinking that good things are going to happen. We have to move forward and do our best to get through our next game against Slovakia.”

-         Head coach Howie Draper (Edmonton, Alta./University of Alberta, CW) on the loss

“We are doing a good job handling our emotions. Obviously it’s a huge rivalry and we wanted to win, but we are already looking ahead to our next game. We generated momentum [while playing at five-on-five], which is good for our team but we need to make sure that we are getting more shots on net. We are going to regroup as a team tonight, and we will be ready to go tomorrow.”

-         Sarah MacEachern (Cornwall, P.E.I./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) on tonight’s game and focusing on next game

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.