Red Bull Crashed Ice Champ Fannie Desforges Returns to Gee-Gees for Final Year

Heading into the 2012-13 season, the Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s ice hockey captain is not just a character player but a global celebrity. In 2012, Fannie Desforges made Canadian sporting history by becoming the first female from Canada to win the Red Bull Crashed Ice world championship.

The event has been very popular with women’s ice hockey players from both Canada and the United States. “Three years ago, two girls (from the Gee Gees) participated. Several of us went to watch them compete and I was hooked. I participated in two consecutive years,” explained Desforges. The win was worldwide news and Desforges found herself thrust into the spotlight. “Well, it did not go up to my head but it was sweet to say I was a world champion,” stated Desforges. 

“I enjoyed the win and the celebration. I felt pretty good and it was a pretty good deal,” she continued. “The adrenaline rush you get going down is tremendous, incredible. It gets you going. The speed is great and your heart starts pounding quickly.” As a multi-sport athlete, Desforges is reminiscent of the legendary Babe Didrikson.

Desforges gets to add to her impressive list of accolades by wearing the captain’s C on her jersey: “It is a huge honor. For sure I am very happy. My teammates voted for me. It helps out a lot. You lead by example, and it is a good leadership role.”

A key event from last season is one that Desforges hopes will build momentum in the new season. “Beating McGill was very exciting. The win was huge. We had not beaten them in five years," Desforges said. "That first win (last season) was huge for us. We were ecstatic and came off a huge high. I hope it carries over into this season. We know we can beat great teams.”

In past seasons, Desforges has been recognized as a QSSF All-Star. With the level of competition from nationally ranked division rivals McGill and Montreal, it speaks volumes of Desforges' skills as a player: “To be a QSSF All-Star is pretty exciting. It was my fourth in a row. My third season saw me named to the First (All-Star) Team. It is a great honor, obviously. There is great talent in our league and it is very rewarding. It recognizes the hard work we do, the sacrifices we do.”

In looking towards the future, Desforges is enthusiastic. “Our whole team aspect (is) how much we are going to progress, how quick we can build up in the conference. There is a great atmosphere and what we can do is huge. When we realize it, we will be increasing. We want to make the playoffs for sure, but going to nationals is our main goal.”

With the Winter Universiade approaching in December 2013 in Trentino, Italy, Desforges would be a superlative choice for the Canadian National Team. She has already donned the Maple Leaf for Canada at the World Ball Hockey Championships. A competitor during the summer for the Ottawa-Vanier Women’s Ball Hockey League, Desforges was part of a silver medal effort at the 2011 Ball Hockey World Championships. It was a squad that also featured Gee-Gees past and present, Erika Pouliot, Alicia Blomberg and Danika Smith.

“To be able to represent Canada is very exciting. It is very rewarding to know I can represent my country. Ball hockey is not known as much, but to wear the Maple Leaf on my jersey was huge, a great honor. In 2013, the worlds will be in Newfoundland, our home soil. We are waiting to see the final roster, waiting for the phone call. If I am picked, I will look forward to being a part of it.” The multi-talented Desforges has proven to be a team player with the poise and leadership worthy of a champion.

All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated.