It wasn’t until the Crapaud native began playing the sport at the university level that she joined her first all-female team.
“I didn’t really see the female side of it until I started working at camps,” said the second-year UPEI student and Panthers forward. “There is definitely an improvement from before until now, because there are just more opportunities for them to go to camps and everything.”
Visser and the rest of the women’s hockey Panthers were on the ice at EastLink Arena on Saturday morning helping young girls in P.E.I.’s minor hockey system hone their skills in special clinics held as part of Hockey Day in Canada.
Instructors
Heading up the clinics were former NHLers Lanny McDonald and Mark Napier and Team Canada women’s Olympic gold-medallist Tessa Bonhomme.
Abby Arbing of Cornwall, who plays defence with the North River Flames, learned to stick-handle better.
“It was fun,” said the 10-year-old Montreal Canadiens fan, whose favourite player is P.K. Subban. “I like hockey because I like winning and having fun.”
Her dad, Dan, said the clinic is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“To learn from these superstars that are here today, and to just rub shoulders with them and hang out with them, is great.”
Scotiabank, as a way of supporting the growth of female hockey, initiated Girls Hockeyfest four years ago. Each clinic, two of which were held Saturday, consists of on- and off-ice training, explained Scotiabank’s director of hockey sponsorships, Melanie Smith.
“We have some great ambassadors like Tessa Bonhomme and Cassie Campbell, who will talk to the girls about their experience in hockey, how they got to be Olympic champions,” said Smith. “It’s a really wonderful experience for the girls to hear from their heroes, and people who have succeeded at the highest level in their sport.”
“We have some great ambassadors like Tessa Bonhomme and Cassie Campbell, who will talk to the girls about their experience in hockey, how they got to be Olympic champions. It’s a really wonderful experience for the girls to hear from their heroes, and people who have succeeded at the highest level in their sport.” - Melanie Smith, Scotiabank’s director of hockey sponsorships
Bonhomme said opportunities like Girls Hockey Fest didn’t exist when she started playing the sport.
“Every hockey school I went to I was either the lone girl or one of three, max,” said Bonhomme. “Seeing how many girls are playing nowadays, and how many love it, brings a smile to my face.
“I couldn’t be more happy for them knowing that they are going to have the same opportunities I had and more.”
Much the same
Visser’s story is much the same as Bonhomme’s.
She started playing at 4 with the Southside minor hockey program, and then moved to the Summerside program.
“I went to Andrews Hockey School and the Dunn’s Hockey School,” said Visser. “I was always the only girl there.
“It’s great to see them have the opportunities. It’s easier for them to be in a female environment. They can develop at their own pace.”
Saw potential
Both Bonhomme and Visser saw potential and great skill on the ice Saturday.
Bonhomme said hard work and dedication are just as necessary as skill and talent.
“I’ve been cut more times than I have made the national team, and I stuck with it,” said Bonhomme. “As much as people tell you that you can’t, you just have to believe that you can.”
But, she added: “It’s a game and it should be played as a game. It’s fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.”
Bonhomme has no doubt she’ll one day see some of the players who were on the ice Saturday representing Canada at the Olympics.
One young player expressed that desire to the Olympian.
“It was her first year playing and she knocked my socks off.”
nmacphee@journalpioneer.com
