The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

Heading into the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, collectors were witness to resurgence in women’s hockey cards. Upper Deck presented the promise for a bright future as its O-Pee-Chee brand featured a unique insert series recognizing the Canadian men’s and women’s hockey teams. The insert series featured the roster of the 2009 Canadian women’s team that competed at the IIHF Worlds. For players such as Marie-Philip Poulin and Shannon Szabados, these issues would prove to be their rookie cards. In addition, a foilboard card of Manon Rheaume (in her Tampa Bay Lightning uniform no less) was an added attraction, building the momentum of her previous card release in Upper Deck Masterpieces. In the aftermath of Vancouver , Upper Deck issued another insert series titled The Champions. Randomly inserted in 2009-10 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey (released in late winter 2010), the series honored American and Canadian Winter Games heroes past and presented. Collectors would also search for va...

For a generation of Canadian hockey fans, the idea of fan favorites such as the legendary Kim St. Pierre and the charismatic Tessa Bonhomme not donning the Canadian jersey on the world’s biggest hockey stage is nothing short of shocking. After providing such strong and emotional performances on home ice in Vancouver four years ago, no one could have foreseen how time would provide change four years later. Having both inspired many young girls to lace on the skates and play the game, their legacies in the game are assured. Despite their absence from the ice, neither is too far from the game. Both have taken on new roles as broadcasters, and providing a superlative performance. Working with Radio-Canada, Kim St. Pierre brings her expertise to the French-Canadian airwaves. As the analyst for Team Canada ’s broadcasts, she works with color commentator Martin Leclerc, who brings 20 years of experience in covering the game. One of the winningest goalies in the history of IIHF ...