French National Women's Hockey Team: Hold Your Head Up, Hold It Up High

In a seven-game tour of Quebec, the French National Women’s hockey team gained exposure to a different style of play. While the national team may have suffered six losses, the team is stronger for it. The key aspect of this tour is one of friendship and sportsmanship.

As part of the International Ice Hockey Federation Ambassador and Mentor program, many prominent Canadian and American women offered to provide consulting services to less competitive countries.

The French National Team was the recipient of Daniele Sauvageau, the former RCMP officer who became the head coach of the Canadian National Team in 1999 and led it to Winter Games gold in 2002. In her executive capacity with the Montreal Carabins of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, her ability to assist in arranging the tour of Quebec is the IIHF program in action.

“She was the one who utilized her contacts and helped bring us here,” said Laura Cencetti, the manager of the French team. “She has been on the ice with our coaching staff and provided great guidance.”

The French team participated in contests versus the Quebec Under-18 team, the Cegep du Limoilou Titans, the College St. Laurent Patriotes, the Montreal Carabins and the CWHL’s Montreal Stars. Against Sauvageau’s Carabins team, the French team lost both contests (the final score of the first contest was 3-1, while the second was by a 4-2 tally).

Their one victory came against St. Laurent, but their toughest loss came at the hands of the defending Clarkson Cup champion Montreal Stars. In suffering an 11-1 loss to the Stars, goaltender Caroline Baldin was tested early and often.

“It was a difficult match and we were not accustomed to their style of play,” stated the goaltender whose club team is Les Bruleurs de Grenoble.

Like many other goaltenders, Baldin undertook the duty of minding the net out of sheer necessity.

“As a child we were missing a goaltender, and that was how it started.” When asked about the greatest moment of her career, she proclaimed, “In 2011, we played against a team from Kazakhstan, and won the game 3-0.”

The one goal by France was scored courtesy of Betty Jouanny. She scored the goal of her life on Kim St. Pierre. “The goal is something of great pride, but our team had a difficult match.”

While Jouanny can attest to the toughness of playing the Stars, she was recruited by France St. Louis to join the Carabins. When not playing, she will be studying kinesiology. “I acknowledge Daniele Sauvageau and France St. Louis in helping to make this happen. Everyone on our team has learned so much from them.”

Jouanny was an alternate captain in her first year with the French Under-18 team, and a captain in her second. She discussed her playing history and some of the challenges that exist there.

“There are not a lot of female teams in France. I have played in La Federation since 2004, and gradually moved up to the different stages. I joined the Under-18 program in 2006, and joined the Senior Team in 2007.”

Although she did not play the first match against the Carabins, she is very excited to join the Carabins. She will be joined by three other French players—captain Marion Allemoz, Athena Locatelli and Lore Baudrit. For them, the tour of Quebec is an introduction to what will be new surroundings.

“I am happy to play on such a competitive team. There will be new experiences on this team. Having visited (the Carabins) in June, they were very sympathetic. I feel there are many good things happening here,” stated Jouanny.

During the tour of Quebec, the French National Team benefited from ice time with some Canadian hockey legends.

“The opportunity to have time with France St. Louis, Caroline Ouellette and Charline Labonte is something that was very exceptional,” said Baldin.

Montreal Stars draft pick Virginie Bouetz-Andrieu added, “To learn from Caroline Ouellette was very enriching. She presents a very different aspect of the game.”

For Bouetz-Andrieu, it was a very emotional game. “The (CWHL) game goes very fast, but it is a good game.” She carries herself with great humility, along with a respect for the game. “I have a lot to learn. The way the Stars play is a very different game.” One benefit for Bouetz-Andrieu is the fact that four of her teammates will be nearby. “I look forward to keeping in touch with my teammates that are joining the Carabins.”

In observing the 11-1 loss to the Stars, three players on the French team are reminiscent of women that competed at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Baldin is similar to the Slovakian goaltender (and former Bemidji State star) Zuzana Tomcikova. She has had to endure tough losses, but she's a workhorse goaltender that eats up minutes and makes many tough saves.

No. 14 on the French team, Anouck Bouche is reminiscent of United States player Erika Lawler, a more compact player who is still capable of a burst of speed. Lore Baudrit (who carries No. 19) is a 6'0" player, similar to Canadian Gillian Apps. “I am very proud of my team. They played a very solid game. It was not an easy match against a much stronger team,” said Cencetti.

Montreal Stars Meg Hewings mentioned, “The game was historic on some level. Team France was an interesting opponent, and it was an ambassadorial moment.”

While the two-week journey has changed the lives of the French players, the lifetime of memories that have been provided ensures that every member of the team has walked away a winner.

All quotes obtained first-hand unless indicated otherwise.