Goyette Worthy of Induction into IIHF Hall of Fame

As a member of the Canadian National Women’s Team from 1991 to 2007, Danielle Goyette was one of the longest-tenured members in the history of the program. During her illustrious career, she earned an astounding 20 gold medals (more notably, 2 in the Winter Games, and 8 at the IIHF Women’s Worlds). Goyette also earned 4 silver medals in international competition.

In recognition of her distinguished career, she will become the third Canadian women’s hockey player to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame (the induction will be held in 2013).

Goyette follows in the footsteps of Geraldine Heaney and Angela James, who were both inducted in 2008. Although an argument could have been made for Cassie Campbell to earn the nod (she was the first captain to lead Canada to back to back Winter Games gold medals in over 50 years), Goyette was a stoic and quiet leader who is worthy of long-overdue recognition.

At the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games, Goyette tied for the overall lead in assists with seven, while also tying for first in the scoring race with ten points. She was a key factor in Canada earning its first Winter Games gold medal in women’s ice hockey.

One of the biggest highlights in her career with the Canadian national team would come four years later. She was given the opportunity to serve as Canada’s flag bearer at the 2006 Torino Winter Games. Not only was it the first time that a women’s hockey player was named the flag bearer, but it marked the first time a hockey player was given the honor since Hubert Brooks at the 1948 St. Moritz Winter Games.

While she was overshadowed in the twilight of her career by big-name superstars like Cassie Campbell, Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser, Goyette was a steady influence for the Canadian national team. She quietly built a career in which she amassed 219 career points (114 goals and 105 assists).

Perhaps more impressive is the fact that she is one of only three women to have logged over 100 career goals for the Canadian team.

Currently, she is the head coach of the Calgary Dinos program in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport. With Hayley Wickenheiser as her star player, she led the Dinos to the 2012 CIS National Championship. Goyette also worked as an assistant coach under Dan Church in a gold medal effort at the 2012 IIHF Women’s Worlds. She was named an assistant coach for Canada at the 2013 Women’s Worlds, and the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, respectively.

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Goyette’s career was the ability to play at an elite level beyond more than one generation. In a career that spanned 16 sensational seasons, Goyette not only saw the women’s game grow, but in many ways, helped to influence it through her stellar yet steady style of play. To the women who played with her, they know how valuable she was to their team.