By Kristi Patton /
Danielle Goyette admits it’s hard to pinpoint one memorable moment as she retired from her 16-year tenure with the national program last month.
Although the one colourful moment she will never forget is the feeling of pulling on the Team Canada jersey for the first time.
“Oh yes,” she said with a laugh. “I remember it was in 1991 at the first World Championships. They were pink at that time.”
Along with other hockey pioneers, Goyette helped Canada to a gold medal, boosting the status of women’s hockey in this country.
“I was lucky to be with such a great team and great players over the years,” she said, noting teammates like Nancy Drolet, Hayley Wickenheiser, Cassie Campbell and Vicky Sunahara as some of the players she had great chemistry with.
Goyette won two Olympic gold medals and during the 2006 Turin Olympic Games, she carried Canada’s flag at the opening ceremonies.
The veteran forward finished her career with 113 goals and 105 assists in 171 games with the national team. The native of St. Nazaire, Que. also helped Canada to eight world championships.
“I come from a small town in Quebec of 800 people, who would’ve believed that I would go to three Olympics,” says Goyette, who has lived in Calgary for the past 11 years.
At 42 years old, Goyette has decided to trade her skates in for a whistle as a full-time head coach with the University of Calgary Dinos women’s hockey team.
“Doing both training and coaching I realized that after awhile I couldn’t train as hard as I want and to be on the national team you have to be in the best shape,” she says of her decision to retire. “I wanted to leave on a high-note and now I can put 100 per cent into coaching.”
On-the-job training has come not only with the Dinos, but also as the assistant coach for the national program at the first ever U18 World Championships. The move behind the bench has long been on the veteran national player’s mind.
“Behind the bench I can see the girls get better and it is just as rewarding as playing. I love teaching, making players better, seeing their expressions, challenging myself.
Goyette is gaining the experience behind the bench that is helping the younger generation continue a Canadian tradition in women’s hockey. The crop of talented players coming up in the system are the ones she hopes will lead the charge to a pro league that would feature players from around the world.
The well-decorated national team member will be missed in the Team Canada jersey but with whistle and black marker in hand, her knowledge of the game will allow the next generation to make their own championship memories. |