When Kim St-Pierre is approached for a chat on Saturday afternoon in front of the Raymond-Bourque arena in Saint-Laurent, she concludes a discussion with a young athlete dressed in her hockey equipment. . Without a helmet or skates, of course. Lawn and big sun oblige.
Posted at 5:59 p.m.
“Nicky, I ran into her on a baseball field,” the former national women’s hockey team goaltender told the representative of The Press. She was the only girl in his boys team.
“We started talking about hockey. She told me that she had started playing, but was having trouble skating. But you know, it doesn’t matter. She will improve. She’s a young athlete. It’s about encouraging girls to play hockey. »
Kim St-Pierre herself had to play with boys until she was 18, she says. But we are no longer there. “There are so many great opportunities now. »
The past week proves him right. La Force de Montréal, a professional women’s hockey team, has just been created.
The context of his discussion with The Press also agrees well with his remarks, while the Raymond-Bourque arena announced its reopening on Saturday. St-Pierre is its ambassador, working with her former trainer Danièle Sauvageau. She has lived in Saint-Laurent since 2010, and her two boys play hockey there.
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Raymond Bourque, during the grand reopening party of the renovated Raymond-Bourque arena, Saturday
The attraction of the establishment for the young people of the community was praised. Not just for hockey, but also for ringette and figure skating.
Because “unfortunately, young girls leave the sport too early,” says St-Pierre.
“We must continue to give them great opportunities. »
“I thought it would never happen”
Kim St-Pierre is not linked to the Montreal Force. But she believes that the formation of this professional team, which will crisscross the province, will “inspire” young players. Among others.
“It will open a lot of doors. It will attract the media. Athletes are incredible players. »
“When I was very young, we dreamed of the NHL. Now girls can dream of the Olympics. To have the chance to dream of playing hockey professionally, I thought it would never happen. »
If there is indeed an evolution in this chapter, St-Pierre is the first to say that there is still a long way to go. Especially in terms of perception.
In women’s golf, in women’s tennis, people appreciate the difference between men and women. In hockey, it takes a little longer.
Kim St-Pierre
“We always want to compare rather than appreciate the talent, the skills, the passion that women can bring to the ice. With the Force, we will learn to discover athletes, coaches, an incredible organization. Maybe it will help us to be discovered in another way. »
She would like to put an end to “the game of comparisons”. Because “it looks like hockey needs even more love,” she laments.
“Marie-Philip Poulin will train as much or more than Sidney Crosby. But we will never have the strength of a man. […] You have to appreciate the differences. Girls are machines now. They are dedicated to their sport. The passion is stronger than ever. »