Brigette Lacquette

Brigette Lacquette (born November 10, 1992) is a Canadian ice hockey player, who most recently played professionally for Calgary Inferno and is currently a member of the Canadian national team, playing defence. She participated at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship.[1] In the autumn of 2015, Lacquette joined the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL.

Brigette Lacquette
Born (1992-11-10) November 10, 1992
Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
CWHL team
Former teams		 Calgary Inferno
Manitoba Bisons
Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs
National team  Canada
Playing career 2011–present
Medal record
Olympic Games
2018 PyeongchangTeam
World Championships
2015 Sweden
2016 Canada
2019 Finland

In 2018, Lacquette became the first First Nations woman to play for the Canadian women's Olympic hockey team.[2][3] To honour her accomplishment, Lacquette's Olympic hockey stick was included in the diversity exhibit in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.[4]

Early life

Lacquette grew up in the remote Métis community of Mallard, Manitoba. Her father is from the O-Chi-Chak Ko Sipi First Nation of Manitoba, while her mother is from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan.[5] Lacquette has a sister named Tara and a brother named Taren, both of whom play hockey.[6]

Lacquette began skating at the age of four, and was soon introduced to hockey by her father and cousins.[7] Since there were no hockey rinks in Mallard, Lacquette's father built one in their family yard. By the time she was five, Lacquette knew she wanted to play in organized hockey, and her father began taking her to the nearest indoor rink, located in the community of Winnipegosis.[6]

As she grew up, Lacquette began facing racism at hockey games.[8] At the age of twelve, she played a tournament in Winnipeg where she encountered taunts such as "dirty Indian" and "go back to the reserve".[9] Hateful comments have come from opponents, tournament fans, parents of hockey players, and even a few of her own teammates. Despite being tempted to quit at times, Lacquette was supported by her father and decided to continue playing hockey.[6] Lacquette's father has expressed pride at his daughter's perseverance: "She basically kicked that door over and knocked it down and it's not a barrier anymore in her life, and that's something that's important for not only her but anybody who's faced a barrier in their life." [9]

Playing career

University and NCAA teams

Lacquette has played for the University of Manitoba Bisons and at the NCAA level at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.[9] Shannon Miller, a former head hockey coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth, has described Lacquette as "the most naturally talented player to ever come through our program".[7]

CWHL

Appearing with the Calgary Inferno in the 2016 Clarkson Cup finals, Lacquette earned an assist as the Inferno emerged victorious in a convincing 8–3 final.[10] In 2019, Lacquette led all CWHL players in an online vote, gaining the opportunity to serve as a captain at the 4th Canadian Women's Hockey League All-Star Game.

Olympics

In 2014, Lacquette was in the running for the Canadian Olympic hockey team, but was a late cut.[5]

In 2018, Lacquette became the first First Nations woman to join the Canadian women's Olympic hockey team, set to play defence at the 2018 Winter Olympics.[11]

Lacquette's first appearance with the Canadian Women's National Team was in 2013 at the Four Nations Cup tournament held in Lake Placid, United States.[12]

In 2015, Lacquette played her first IIHF Women's World Championship with team Canada in Sweden, where Canada finished second to the United States.[12]

Accomplishments

Brigette Lacquette was named Top Defenceman for her performance at the 2010 IIHF World Women's Under-18 Championships. Where she also helped lead Canada to its first gold medal at the Under-18 Championships after assisting the overtime winner.[13]

Volunteer work

Lacquette is a partner athlete with the sports mentorship organization Classroom Champions. As a participant of the organization's "Circle" program, which connects athletes and youth of Indigenous heritage, Lacquette has provided mentorship to children from the Piitoayis (Eagle Lodge) Family School in Inglewood, Calgary.[7]

Inspiration

Lacquettes role model growing up was, fellow aboriginal athlete, Jordin Tootoo.[14]

Lacquette embraces her title as a role model to young First Nations kids across Canada.[13] "I'm super excited to be that role model for those kids. Growing up I really didn't have that female role model to look up to," said Lacquette. "It's just very special for me to be that role model for young First Nation girls across Canada, Indigenous kids across Canada. I'm just super excited to be that person for them."[15]

References
  1. "2015 IIHF World Championship roster" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  2. "Manitoba Olympian's dad helped her face down racism and become a role model".
  3. "Indigenous athletes help Team Canada win silver medal in women's hockey | CBC News". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  4. "Items of unsung First Nations women's hockey star go to Hockey Hall of Fame".
  5. Spencer, Donna (February 2, 2018). "Brigette Lacquette will make First Nations hockey history in Pyeongchang". Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  6. "She's from a remote community of 120. Now First Nations hockey player Brigette Lacquette is at the Olympics". National Post. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  7. "Fortney: Team Canada female hockey player tells Indigenous kids to shoot for the stars". Calgary Herald. January 18, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  8. Arthur, Bruce (February 20, 2018). "'Beat them on the ice': The rise of Brigette Lacquette, the first Indigenous woman on Canada's Olympic hockey team". The Star. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  9. "Manitoba Olympian's dad helped her face down racism and become a role model". CBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  10. "2016 Clarkson Cup". cwhl. March 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  11. "Meet Brigette Lacquette, the 1st First Nations woman on Canada's Olympic hockey team". CBC News. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  12. "Brigette Lacquette". Team Canada – Official 2018 Olympic Team Website. December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  13. "Heritage lends a helping hand". hockeycanada.ca. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  14. "'Beat them on the ice': The rise of Brigette Lacquette, the first Indigenous woman on Canada's Olympic hockey team | Toronto Star". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  15. McIntyre, Mike (December 22, 2017). "History on ice". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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