The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

As the Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s ice hockey program comes off their greatest season yet (26-9-3), a key addition to the coaching staff indicates that an even better season may loom on the horizon. Former ECAC goaltending great Amanda Mazzotta joins the staff, ready to bring her acumen to a team determined to build on the momentum of qualifying for the 2015 NCAA tournament. Since graduating from Cornell University, where she set an NCAA championship game record for most saves in one game, Mazzotta has maintained an exceptionally busy schedule. Raised in London, Ontario, she returned home, eager to share her knowledge with a new generation of future stars hoping to emulate her own success. While she pursued a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology at the University of Western Ontario, it represented an opportunity to gain coaching experience. Handling numerous duties, with an emphasis on video sessions and goalie coaching (a task she also handled with Team Ontario Red in 2013), there is

As the Canadian national women’s baseball team looks to capture gold medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games, a proud women’s hockey connection adds to an unforgettable group of characters. As this is the first-ever women’s baseball tournament contested in a major multi-national sporting event, the women’s hockey connection is testament to the potential of women in sport and their ability to excel in multiple arenas of competition. Having played with the national team since the inaugural Women’s World Cup of Baseball in 2004, Ashley Stephenson comprises a group of five remarkable women with roots in women’s hockey. A versatile infielder who is able to play at both shortstop and third base positions, Stephenson’s strong leadership skills can be traced back to a proud hockey career that involved five remarkable seasons with the nationally prominent Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks program. Suiting up for the Golden Hawks, her greatest legacy included the 2005 CIS National Championsh

Although the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup ended in heartbreak for Canada, there was a proud hockey presence for the host Canadian team. Although Adriana Leon established herself as a world-class athlete in soccer, her athletic roots can be traced back to hockey. Having played at the forward position at the Bantam AA level with the Vaughan Flames and the Willowdale Red Wings, the King City raised Leon competed with the prestigious Toronto Aeros at the PWHL level. Of note, Leon would experience many glories with the Aeros, a team that featured superstars such as Erin Ambrose, Jillian Saulnier and third generation hockey player Laura Stacey. As a side note, Ambrose and Saulnier would contribute to Canada’s first-ever gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s Worlds, earning the chance to appear on hockey cards issued by Upper Deck in their 2011 World of Sports set. In the aftermath of a 2008 tournament hosted by the Furies, the honor of the Future Star award was bestowed upon her. She w

In an offseason filled with many memorable moments, the announcement of Angela Ruggiero’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame only adds to such magic. Prior to said announcement, CWHL Board Member Fran Rider became the first female builder to earn a spot in the IIHF Hall of Fame. Although Ruggiero becomes the fourth woman to gain entry into the prestigious Hall, an exciting aspect is the fact that she becomes the first inductee with playing experience in the CWHL. After the euphoria of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, the CWHL made its first foray into the United States , establishing a team in Boston , resulting in borderless hockey. As a charter member of the Boston Blades, Ruggiero was more than just one of the team’s leaders; she became an ambassador for the team and the league. During the Blades inaugural season, Ruggiero made her CWHL debut on October 30, 2010 against the Burlington Barracudas. Earning an assist in her debut, it also represented a franchise milestone as i

Redefining the meaning of resilience, Danielle Gagne shall be engaging in a remarkable journey that will not only change her life, but is poised to improve the quality of others lives. Having once played for the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s ice hockey program, Gagne is spending this summer with the ambitions to participate in a bike ride that shall span 4000 miles in 70 days. Such an ambition is akin to two other empowering women. Last summer, Clara Hughes, who has represented Canada in both the Summer and Winter Games, cycled across Canada to raise money for mental health. Sponsored by Bell , Hughes successfully completed the courageous trek over 40 days. Another Canadian athlete who engaged in a cross-country journey was hockey coach Ashley Gilbank. Rollerblading across Canada in 2012, she also raised funds for mental health, with Do It for Daron as the beneficiary. As she recounted to Women’s Hockey Life, Gagne shall be burning approximately 240,000 calories. Having started