The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

Debuting on June 5, 2014,  the women’s hockey documentary Les Stars is more than just a chronicling of the Montreal Stars on-ice accomplishments. It serves as an intimate portrait of a remarkable group of pioneering women, looking to change the cultural norm. As one of the signature franchises of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, the Stars were not only the first to claim back-to-back Clarkson Cups, but the first to capture three overall titles, respectively. Directed by Jess Desjardins (who pulls double duty as the sound recordist), she is an individual with many diverse interests. Having directed and produced several short films this year alone, Desjardins, an avid musician, has also been a sports fan since her youth. The love of sport has helped to serve as a backdrop for another of her great passions; photography. Highly talented and accomplished behind the lens as a photographer, Desjardins has used her keen visual talents to snap the action at the 2013 and 2014 e

At the beginning of the 2013-14 season, the Calgary Inferno faced a significant loss of leadership. Considering that Jocelyne Larocque, Meaghan Mikkelson and Tara Watchorn were part of Canada’s centralization camp (in anticipation of the Sochi Winter Games); the impact was compounded by the retirement of former captain Bobbi-Jo Slusar. Heading to Western Canada to pursue her Master’s Degree, the arrival of Karolina Urban could not have happened at a better time. Considering that Urban is articulate, very coachable and brings a team-first mentality, she would prove to be an essential component for a squad pursuing its first-ever postseason berth. While the Inferno still featured reliable veterans such as Laura Dostaler, Chelsea Purcell and Kelsey Webster, Urban helped to relieve the burden of leadership from their shoulders. On a team that consisted of close to a dozen rookies, Urban’s experiences in the game helped provide a presence. During the 2012-13 campaign, Urban was

Heading into the 2014 Esso Cup, Canada’s female midget-level hockey championship, the Weyburn Gold Wings did not have the high profile that other competing clubs carried. A 2-1 upset win over the Edmonton Thunder, who were looking for their first title in six attempts, certainly made the fans at at Gateway Ice Centre in Stoney Creek, Ontario notice. Of note, the Thunder was not the only club looking to prove it belonged among Canada’s elite female midget teams. The Stoney Creek Sabres (who also have a parent team in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League) were the host team, and were looking to show skeptics that they were worthy of belonging. Last year’s host team, the Fraser Valley Phantoms had qualified for the 2014 edition of the Esso Cup. The Moncton Rockets were aiming for Atlantic Canada’s first victory in the event, while the Sudbury Wolves were the other Ontario-based team looking to stake their claim with a championship victory. The Western Canadian match-up in the