Who are you—where are you from, what do you do, what’s your hockey story?

My name is Mia. I am almost 43 and live in Kitchener, Ontario. My full time job is at a French daycare centre. I was born in Quebec and grew up doing figure skating in a hockey town because that was the only option for girls. I have two sons born in 2003 and 2005. My husband makes the rink at the park across from our house every winter.  I started hockey to learn with my boys eight years ago. We have a women’s skills and drills coached by university players at the University of Waterloo.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

A few years ago, I met Deirdre from The Women of Winter. She sparked a desire in me to grow women’s hockey. I had the opportunity to go play in the Czech Republic as a spare for an Austrian team. Amazing what hockey can bring when teams get together!

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

Meeting new people who are just as passionate about the game as I am and doing my small part to grow the game.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

Well… I play the flute and the tin whistle.

If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?

I’ve had the chance to play with a lot of the great women in Canadian hockey in different charity tournaments. The only one I have yet to meet is Hayley Wickenheiser.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

When I became a mom, a great aunt said to me “A lot dumber people have survived, you’ll do fine”. I think it applies just about anywhere.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

I hope girls are given the same opportunities as boys in development and I hope women playing at the highest level can live off of their game and not have to have a job when playing at national and Olympic levels.