France St-Louis played on the international stage from 1990 to 1999 with the Canadian women’s hockey team which won the World Championship five times, which was only contested every two years. At the age of 39, she was part of the Canadian team at the Nagano Olympic Games. It was the first ever Olympic women’s hockey tournament. The team won the silver medal despite having won five consecutive World Championships.
This defeat hurt St. Louis so much that she couldn’t help but break down in tears after the defeat. However, this defeat allowed women’s hockey to have its place in the Olympic Games. Ultimately, the victory of the Americans propelled women’s hockey onto the international scene.
Before getting there, at the Olympics, it was very difficult and even painful. When you are a pioneer in your sport, there are several pitfalls. Today, we don’t even dare to think that they existed.
His dream as an athlete could be destroyed by one person
She was invited to Calgary to participate in the women’s training camp for the Olympic Games which would take place in Nagano. She asked her principal at the school where she taught for unpaid leave because the camp was taking place for eight months. She was surprised when the director refused her unpaid leave. The director even added more. France had to choose between teaching or trying to make the Canadian Olympic team. She clearly told him that if she went to boot camp, she was fired. His dream as an athlete could be destroyed by a person who had no concern for the decision she was imposing on France.
The media reported on this situation that France had to experience. An outcry from parents forced the hand of the director, who finally granted France unpaid leave.
To add insult to injury, the principal asked her when she returned to school to wear the silver medal she had won at the Olympics.
Without any hesitation, there was no question of her depriving the children of such a beautiful moment. However, once the ceremony was over, she immediately submitted her resignation to the school principal.
France St-Louis is a member of the Quebec Sports Pantheon, she received the Order of Hockey in Canada and was inducted into the Quebec Hockey Hall of Fame, recipient of an honorable mention from the Association québécoise de pédagogie collegiate, deputy chef de mission at the Sochi Olympic Games and named woman of influence at CAAWS in 2014.
Doesn’t she deserve her place in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
No place for girls in minor hockey
Courtesy France Saint-Louis
You are from Laval.
I was three years old when we went to live in Rimouski, because my father, Guy St-Louis, was a sales representative for the Labatt brewery. A few years later, my father had a new position with the brewery in Montreal.
Your brother was your first coach.
My brother, Bernard, allowed me to excel in hockey. He gave me the chance to play with him and his friends at the skating rink in the park not far from our house. Sometimes it was funny when a guy would say while pointing at me, “He has a girl’s voice.” My brother quickly replied, “Yes, she’s my sister, and don’t hit her.”
There was no place for girls on minor hockey teams.
Mr. Collerette was responsible for hockey at Loisirs Saint-Alphonse. There was no way I was going to play on a guys’ team. So much so, he stopped me from playing with my brother in a father and son exhibition match. I finally had to play around with parent training.
Your parents never stopped you from playing hockey.
On the contrary, my father, Guy, and my mother, Lise, encouraged me, they attended my matches even when I practiced athletics, they were present.
What was difficult for you?
The lack of respect for women’s hockey and especially the stereotypical idea of some people judging the girl playing hockey.
Would you like to deepen your thinking?
I am invited to do a radio interview with Pierre Pascau, who hosts the number one radio talk show in Canada. He was surprised to meet a slim girl playing hockey. He thought female hockey players were built like “truck drivers.”
What was your reaction?
I expressed my disappointment to him regarding his opinions regarding women’s hockey players.
You had several other obstacles to overcome.
The girls who were part of the Canadian teams at the World Championships had no subsidies. Finding ice time before 11 p.m. was almost impossible.
Sponsorships.
Sponsorships for men’s garage leagues were common. Whereas for the girls’ teams, more often than not, we didn’t even get a return call.
You were able to realize your dream of being part of the Olympian team.
I’m 39 years old and I knew this was my one and last chance. I won several championships, though. When the Team Canada coach confirmed my presence on the team, just thinking about it still gives me chills.
You are a pioneer for girls.
At the University of Sherbrooke, I was the first girl to take hockey lessons with the guys. I was one of the founders of the women’s hockey sport study in Boucherville.
A first hockey school for girls.
There are boys’ hockey schools that allowed girls to attend. My school was completely the opposite. It was a hockey school for girls and over time the guys were added.
JMTL
Your school has grown.
I was invited as an advisor for the French women’s hockey team. In addition, I gave hockey lessons to young people in France. For eight years, I traveled to Japan to share my knowledge. I even played hockey one season in Switzerland for the Lyss team, from the canton of Berne.
You were appointed deputy chef de mission at the Sochi Olympic Games.
Steve Podborski headed the Canadian delegation as head of mission while I shared the role of deputy head of mission with Jean-Luc Brassard. What a beautiful, extraordinary moment for me and especially for the recognition of women’s hockey!
What are you most proud of?
Without a doubt, the women’s hockey program in Canada which is now offered to girls. On a personal note, Caroline Ouellette’s career as a player and now as a coach at Concordia University. When she first started, I advised her a lot.
You are retired now.
I taught elementary, secondary and CEGEP. Today, I am a season ticket holder for the new Montreal women’s professional hockey team. My pleasure is to occasionally look after Caroline Ouellette’s children.