When little Caroline Ouellette started playing hockey, her team Atom C had only won two games that season. Nothing indicated that she would one day be inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.

But that’s exactly what IIHF President Luc Tardif told him in an unexpected phone call.

“My coaches have never been negative or made us feel bad or yelled at the referees or at us,” says Ouellette, as she is happy to share with the players who participate in her tournament. We never felt like a failure. We didn’t care about losing, we had fun, we played hockey, we trained. I’ve improved this year.”

“Now a lot has changed. A lot of success is associated with the victory, she regrets. But young people want to have fun. Rather, their success is related to being free and being “kids.”

surprise

There was a big surprise when the four-time Olympic gold medalist, who has won six golds at 12 World Championships, was told that she will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame next year, especially in the company of Canadian Cristobal Huet’s former goalkeeper, Brian Leetch and Henrik Zetterberg.

“It’s something really touching,” said the 43-year-old. When I first started playing I didn’t think about those recognitions. You travel because you have the opportunity to practice the sport you love most in the world. I liked it so much I would play again if I could!”

Thankful

It is not difficult to imagine that hockey occupies an important place in the life of the woman, who played 205 games in the maple leaf uniform and recorded 84 goals and 150 assists for 234 points, which ranks her among the best in history.

“I’m really grateful to be able to make this my profession, even though I studied police engineering. It’s rewarding to be in hockey. Every time my clock face rings, I don’t feel like I’m getting up to go to work, but rather to coach a game.”

“I’ve loved every season, every moment with the Canadian team. There’s nothing else in the world I’d rather be doing. My best moments are associated with ice hockey. […] I think of all the teammates and coaches who have helped me through this career and I’m very grateful,” says Ouellette humbly.