Histórias do Hockey

Canal Hockey Interviews: Jaclyn Hawkins

Jaclyn Hawkins has written a unique and successful story in the sport of Ice Hockey. She left home at the age of 15 to pursue her dream. Nowadays she is playing in one of the most known Women Hockey leagues in the world and she also created a website where people can share their stories and exchange useful informations. Jaclyn talked to Canal Hockey reporter Rodrigo Figliolini.

SH - Who or what introduced you to hockey and when was that?

Jaclyn - Having grown up in Canada, you're exposed to hockey everywhere. Kids are always playing on the streets and at local indoor and outdoor rinks. My neighbours, brother and I would always play street hockey after school and after watching my brother play on ice at the rink in town, I decided I wanted to give it a try as well.

SH - You left home when you were 15. Some time later you had try-outs for Team Canada but you were cut. However, you did not quit and wrote a very successful story in the following years. What made you move on and keep pursuing your dream?

Jaclyn - Everyone experiences bumps along the way when pursuing their dreams. If you have passion and believe in what you're doing, you'll stand up every time you fall. I wasn't going to let me being cut defeat me from chasing my dream. I knew I could go further, I just had to try that much harder to get to where I wanted to be. I never ended up making Team Canada, but to this day I'm competing in a league where all the National team players play. Same dream, different version!

Jaclyn playing for the ZSC Lions (Switzerland)

SH - When you played in Switzerland, did you notice many differences between Hockey played over there and in Canada?

Jaclyn - The language barrier was the first thing I noticed. I was on a line with a Swiss and Finnish player. We all spoke a different language and did our best to communicate using our hands. We smiled and laughed a lot in that first game. There's also more emphasis on offence in Europe as well.

SH - What was your objective when you created the website "Women's Hockey Life?"

Jaclyn - We started WomensHockeyLife in an attempt to provide a platform where players, coaches, and fans from all over the world could share their hockey experiences and connect. For those of us involved in women's hockey, we know how amazing of a sport it is, but there are very few avenues for us to be heard and tell our stories. WomensHockeyLife now provides that.

Jaclyn playing for the Boston Blades

SH - Now you are playing for the Boston Blades. Can you tell us about the championship you are playing?

Jaclyn - The Boston Blades are the only US based team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League - CWHL. We compete for what is called the Clarkson Cup. The Clarkson Cup is named after a former Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson and has been awarded to the Championship team of the CWHL since 2009.

SH - I believe that Ice Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada. Is it true? What other sports are also popular in your country?

Jaclyn - Yes, it's true. No other sport can compete with hockey and the passion that Canada has for its game. Other popular sports in Canada are individually based. Some like soccer, baseball, curling, others enjoy football, but at the end of the day nothing can compete with hockey.

You can take a look at Jaclyn's work at www.womenshockeylife.com/

You are also invited to take a look at CWHL's official website: www.cwhl.ca/