In 2002, I got myself out of an abusive marriage.
He was the one who introduced me to hockey but forbade me from learning how to play because it was too expensive and he wasn’t allowed, why should I? Nine months after we separated, I set foot on the ice for the first time. I haven’t looked back.
Hockey became my salvation, my refuge. Clinics, ice time, pick-ups, public skates—I spent my free time surrounded by hockey. I started to get better. I started playing in tournaments. I was on a team. It kept building. I changed leagues and rinks. I started making friends. I was a team captain.
Then came 2013. I got my first youth coaching assignment. The next season I was a head coach. Then came Level I…II…III…IV…all in four years. I have coached in my rink’s in-house league non-stop since 2013 and presently, I am the only female head coach in that program. I have coached kids headed for Juniors. I have seen house players go from house to AA and AAA travel squads.
Someone tried to stop me. What they did was give me wings.
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