Lisa Soucie didn’t play hockey growing up.

It wasn’t for lack of want — as a kid she craved nothing more than to ditch her street hockey gear for a puck and skates.

But like many girls of her generation, a lack of hockey opportunities meant she didn’t get her turn to lace up.

“I always got told for years, ‘No, you can’t because you’re a girl, you shouldn’t be playing,’” the 42-year-old mother of four said.

Now, she’s trying to change that. Last Monday, she hosted the first session of a women’s hockey group, open to women from across the Pontiac who are interested in hockey, from seasoned players to absolute beginners.

She said the idea is to give women a judgment-free zone where they can try the sport in good company.

“[I want to get] more girls to come out to play, even from scratch,” she said, adding that prospective players shouldn’t be intimidated since there are players of all skill levels.

“If you don’t know how to skate, we have a coach.”

Eleven women showed up at the Centre de Loisirs des Draveurs Century 21 Élite arena in Fort Coulonge for the first practice on Dec. 9, where a coach led the players through drills and scrimmages.

In the coming weeks she expects the hockey sessions to draw more players to the ice. Eventually, as players get more comfortable, she hopes there will be enough participants for two teams, forming what could be the beginnings of the Pontiac’s own women’s hockey league.

Girls who want to play hockey competitively, or even just try their hand at the sport, have limited options to do so close to home. Those who are exceptionally determined join the Lions or Comets minor leagues in Shawville and Fort Coulonge, respectively, where they play with mostly male teammates until they’re able to move into a women’s league.

Paige Dubeau knows this system well. She grew up playing hockey with the Pontiac Lions and is now playing hockey at Montreal’s Dawson College.

“It’s nice to have more [women’s] hockey growing in small communities because we don’t get a lot of opportunities here [ . . . ] It’s pushing girls’ hockey even more,” she told THE EQUITY.

Dubeau said she hopes a women’s group will give young girls positive role models to look up to in the sport.

“It’s going to open a lot of younger girls’ eyes on their dreams of playing hockey, and having an opportunity.”

‘Maybe they will think it’s badass’

At the first session last Monday some players were skating for the very first time, like Vickie Chatelain, a self-described “hippie” and massage therapist who lives in Shawville.

She too wanted to play from a young age but, like Soucie, didn’t get that chance.

“My parents were like, ‘You’re a girl, you can’t play hockey.’”

She scratched the competitive itch by playing high-level handball for Team Canada, but over the years she always held hockey dear.

Now a mother of two, Chatelain sees the joy on her son’s face as he steps on the ice for his minor club, and decided when the opportunity came for her to play, she would seize it.

“Now, it’s my turn to have the smile on my face,” she said, adding that at 43-years-old she thought her athletic career might be over. She is looking forward to having a space where she can meet new people, learn something new and rekindle her competitive spirit.

“It’s just going to be a good way to connect with other women, and get out, and hopefully maybe compete with other women,” Chatelain said, adding that she hopes to inspire her kids, especially her daughter.

Maybe they will think it’s badass.”

Some players were more experienced, like 16-year-old Brooke Bernasconi who plays competitive hockey for the Ottawa Valley Thunder U18C team and was excited to share her favourite sport with players old and new.

“I just wanted to have a good time, see people and enjoy hockey. I just love hockey so much,” she said, adding that it was nice to get some extra ice time.

Bernasconi said she enjoyed embracing her role as an experienced player, helping the first-timers understand the game.

“I feel like I helped them play the game and get more experience in it. The only way they can learn is if they touch the puck more.”

‘It’s me time’

Soucie said with four kids there isn’t often time for extracurriculars, but she wanted to make hockey a priority.

“It’s me time,” she said, adding that for her the experience is about making friends, getting exercise and connecting with other women.

She said her oldest daughter has taken up interest in the sport, and they often play together in the driveway. She hopes that by playing hockey she can be a positive role model for her daughter.

Chatelain agreed. “It’s going to be great to do sports, and give myself permission as a mom to be like ‘Okay, this is my time, I’m going to play hockey.’”

On Monday night, Soucie was at the rink while her husband stayed home to watch the kids, something she said wouldn’t necessarily have happened when she was younger.

“It’s different from 20 years ago, when I couldn’t play hockey because I was a girl.”

The group practices weekly on Monday nights at the Fort Coulonge arena. Those interested in participating can register by contacting Lisa Soucie at 819-319-6122.