France St-Louis played on the international stage from 1990 to 1999 with the Canadian women's ice hockey team, which won the world championship, which was only played every two years, five times. At the age of 39, she was part of the Canadian team at the Nagano Olympics. It was the first ever women's Olympic ice hockey tournament. The team won the silver medal despite winning five consecutive World Championships.
This defeat hurt St. Louis so much that she couldn't help but burst into tears after the loss. However, this defeat allowed women's hockey to clinch its spot in the Olympics. Ultimately, the Americans' victory brought women's hockey onto the international stage.
Before I got there, at the Olympics, it was very difficult and even painful. If you are a pioneer in your sport, there are several pitfalls. Today we don't even dare to believe that they existed.
His dream as an athlete could be destroyed by one person
She was invited to Calgary to take part in the women's training camp for the Olympics, which would be held in Nagano. She asked her principal at the school where she taught for unpaid leave because the camp lasted eight months. She was surprised when the director denied her unpaid leave. The director added even more. France had to choose between teaching or trying to make the Canadian Olympic team. She told him clearly that if she went to boot camp she would be fired. His dream as an athlete could be destroyed by a person who does not care about the decision he imposes on France.
The media reported on this situation that France had to experience. An outcry from parents forced the principal to take action, who eventually granted France unpaid leave.
To make matters worse, the principal asked her to wear the silver medal she won at the Olympics when she returned to school.
Without hesitation, there was no question that she would deprive the children of this beautiful moment. However, after the ceremony, she immediately submitted her resignation to the 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, received an honorable mention from the Association québécoise de pedagogie collegiate, deputy chef de mission at she accepted Sochi Olympics and was named a Woman of Influence by CAAWS in 2014.
Doesn’t she deserve her place in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
No place for girls in minor hockey
Courtesy of France Saint Louis
They come from Laval.
I was three years old when we moved to Rimouski because my father, Guy St-Louis, was a sales representative for the Labatt Brewery. A few years later, my father got a new job at the brewery in Montreal.
Your brother was your first coach.
My brother Bernard enabled me to excel in ice hockey. He gave me the opportunity to play with him and his friends at the rink in the park not far from our house. Sometimes it was funny when a man would say while pointing at me, “He has a girl's voice.” My brother would quickly reply, “Yes, she's my sister, and don't hit her.”
There was no place for girls on minor hockey teams.
Mr. Collerette was in charge of ice hockey at Loisirs Saint-Alphonse. There's no way I would play on a men's team. So much so that he stopped me from attending a father-son friendly match with my brother. 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 went to my games and were also present when I trained in athletics.
What was difficult for you?
The lack of respect for women's hockey and especially the stereotypical idea that some people judge the girl playing hockey.
Would you like to deepen your thinking?
I'm invited to a radio interview with Pierre Pascau, host of the number one radio talk show in Canada. He was surprised to meet a slim girl who played hockey. He was of the opinion that female ice hockey players were built like “truck drivers”.
What was your reaction?
I expressed my disappointment to him about his opinion of female hockey players.
They had several other obstacles to overcome.
The girls who were part of the Canadian teams at the World Championships received no subsidies. It was almost impossible to find ice time before 11 p.m.
Sponsorships.
Sponsorships for men's garage leagues were common. With the girls' teams, however, in most cases we didn't even get a call back.
You were able to achieve your dream of being part of the Olympic team.
I am 39 years old and knew that this was my only and last chance. However, I have won several championships. When Team Canada's coach confirmed my presence on the team, the mere thought still gave me goosebumps.
You are a pioneer for girls.
At the University of Sherbrooke I was the first girl to take hockey lessons with the boys. I was one of the founders of the women's hockey sports study in Boucherville.
A first hockey school for girls.
There are hockey schools for boys that girls can also take part in. My school was exactly the opposite. It was a hockey school for girls and over time boys were added too.
JMTL
Your school has grown.
I was invited as a consultant for the French women's ice hockey team. I also gave ice hockey lessons to young people in France. For eight years I traveled to Japan to share my knowledge. I even played ice hockey for a season in Switzerland for the Lyss team from the canton of Bern.
You were appointed Deputy Chef de Mission of the Sochi Olympics.
Steve Podborski led 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, now offered to girls. Personal: Caroline Ouellette's career as a player and now as a coach at Concordia University. When she started, I gave her a lot of advice.
You are now retired.
I have taught elementary, secondary and CEGEP. Today I am a season ticket holder for Montreal's new professional women's ice hockey team. It is my pleasure to occasionally look after Caroline Ouellette's children.