History on ice

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This article was published 22/12/2017 (2834 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some of Brigette Lacquette’s greatest experiences in life have come on a hockey rink, where she’s been honing her craft since first hitting the ice at the age of five. But there have been some dark moments, as well, which bring back painful memories.

“Growing up in such a small community it wasn’t easy. When I went to play my first big tournament in Winnipeg, I faced racism a bit there. It was tough,” the 25-year-old resident of Mallard, an interlake village about 335 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, recalled Friday, her voice trailing off.

That trauma would stay with her and repeat itself on occasion as she grew up. Kids could be cruel, and her Indigenous background would sometimes be thrown in her face by opponents.

Lacquette said it only strengthened her resolved and led to her wanting to serve as inspiration for others as her hockey career took off through the bantam and midget level and eventually into U.S. college. Her platform got even bigger Friday as she was named to Canada’s national women’s hockey team that will compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics.

“It doesn’t feel real right now. I’m super excited and I feel like I just gotta pinch myself or something,” Lacquette said in a conference call shortly after the 23-player roster was announced.

Officials say she is the first Indigenous player to suit up for the national team.

“I’m super excited to be that role model for those kids. Growing up I really didn’t have that female role model to look up to,” said Lacquette. “It’s just very special for me to be that role model for young First Nation girls across Canada, Indigenous kids across Canada. I’m just super excited to be that person for them.”

Two other Manitobans are joining her on the roster. Her defence partner, 29-year-old Jocelyne Larocque from Ste. Anne, is looking to add another gold medal after being part of the 2014 squad that won it all in Sochi. Another Ste. Anne resident, 27-year-old forward Bailey Bram, has earned her way after being one of the final cuts from the 2014 team.

‘I’m super excited and I feel like I just gotta pinch myself or something’
– Manitoban Brigette Lacquette, on being named to Team Canada Friday

Canadian coach Laura Schuler said the Lacquette-Larocque defensive pairing makes life difficult for other teams.

“They have tremendous chemistry, playing college hockey together (at the University of Minnesota Duluth). I think they really balance each other out. Brigette brings an offensive flair to her game, she really likes to shoot the puck and she has tremendous vision,” said Schuler. “Whereas Larocque is such a sturdy defencemen for us, nobody gets by her, she’s tough in the corners, she’s hard to battle against and she’s a tremendous penalty killer for us.”

Schuler said Bram brings plenty of speed up front and plenty of other intangibles necessary for success.

“She’s a great person, a great character person, and she brings a lot of energy to our bench. She’s one person that continuously can put smiles on everybody’s faces, and I truly believe that’s what you need to be successful and win hockey games,” said Schuler.

“It’s awesome. Bailey has grown to be one of my best friends, and Jocelyne is my D partner. So it’s pretty special and amazing to be there with them,” said Lacquette.

Neepawa’s Halli Krzyzaniak, 22, was one of Friday’s final cuts.

This year’s team includes 14 returning players from 2014, and six who also won the gold medal in 2010. Veteran Meghan Agosta of Ontario will be looking for a fourth gold medal as the lone player who also competed at the 2006 Games in Italy. Canada also won in 2002, meaning they are aiming for a fifth straight title when action gets underway in South Korea Feb. 11.

Winnipeg’s Dwayne Gylywoychuk is one of the team’s assistant coaches.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg