Latest / Rinkside Rundown / Béatrice Bilodeau on Growing Up in Quebec Hockey, Choosing Ottawa, and Wearing the 'C'
Transcript
- Speaker 1: They're just like so happy to see us and they're like drawing their signs and it's also nice to know that we're doing that while having like so much fun and just living like the best experience of our lives. So yeah, if it can help like little girls to dream big and keep pushing, I'm more than happy. Speaker 2: Hello and welcome back to Rinkside Rundown, podcast that brings you Inside the World of Women's Hockey, one story at a time. I'm your host, Christine Clare, and today I'm excited to be joined by Beatrice Bilodeau, captain of the University of Ottawa, GG's. Beatrice, welcome to the show. How you doing? Speaker 1: I'm good. Thanks for having me. Speaker 2: Thank you for joining me. This is fantastic. I'm thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to highlight your story. And it feels like a natural starting point for this conversation would be the beginning of your story. So let's go back to that and ⁓ maybe just talk about how you first were introduced to the game of hockey and what made you fall in love with the sport. Speaker 1: Yeah, so my big brother and my father were both hockey players and I was just looking at them and wanted to join as well. So I started playing hockey, I think I was like four and going through boys hockey until I was 12. Getting to play with the girls after and still playing today. So I guess I kind of love the game. Speaker 2: Yes, absolutely. Yeah, it seems to have worked out well for you so far. ⁓ do you remember like what some of those early memories you have of the game of hockey being out on the ice? Maybe it was just like an outdoor rink and, you know, a cold winter's ⁓ day or something like that. Do you remember some of those early memories for you? Speaker 1: Yeah, well, my father used to do like an outdoor ring for us just beside like our house so we can like practice our shooting and everything. that's like kind of where I found like that. Okay, like that's the game I want to play. And like, that's my sport. And just like being able to play on the same team as my brother growing up and being coached by my father and playing like all my best friends are like. people from my hockey team. yeah, those are all the tournaments, all the weekends. yeah, I feel like those are the best memories. Speaker 2: Yeah, of course. Yeah, it's often it's about, you know, the friendships you've made along the way and you're around them all the time, right? So it's always good to have good friends on the team too. ⁓ You grew up in Quebec and Quebec is well known for being a hockey hotbed. ⁓ A lot of great players have come out of Quebec, but maybe for you, You kind of touched on it initially having to play on boys teams until later on when you had the chance to play on girls teams. what was the environment like for you growing up in Quebec when it comes to the game of hockey? Speaker 1: Yeah, as you were saying, it's pretty easy, feel like in Quebec is like everybody wants to play hockey or even like if they're not playing like on a team, they like know about like pretty much everything. So it's kind of nice to be able to just like go to school and like ⁓ just playing with my friends from school and ⁓ just, yeah, it's just... It makes it very easy for sure. yeah, like girls hockey was not very like accessible for me growing up. So, and it wasn't an issue for that for me, because I love playing with the boys. Like, as I was saying, I was going to school with them and I was, it was just like, I was part of the, of the gang. like that, that was cool for me, but like to see like, it's even like easier for the little girls. Like joining girls team right from the start and just being able to create those connection right away. Yeah, it was easy, but I feel like it's easier. that's good for them. Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. you, I have to ask because Quebec is so well known for ⁓ not just hockey players, but like some really good hockey players. Did you ever feel pressure with that? With the fact that you, like there are all of these great talented hockey players coming out of Quebec. You are now one of those talented ⁓ hockey players coming out of Quebec. Did you ever feel pressure that like You had to play hockey, but you also had to be really good at it because everyone else coming from Quebec was very good at it. Speaker 1: ⁓ not really, no. Like I feel like it's so amazing that like we have those, ⁓ role models and just those like idols we can look at coming from Quebec, but I never felt like I had that pressure. like, just when I got to choose the sport, I wanted to play like my parents never like pressured me to play hockey. Like they just wanted me to find something I love and they just wanted me to move. So. Yeah, like I chose to play hockey and I loved it. So like it was the perfect match for me, but I never felt like pressure or anything. I just played the game because I loved it and I just kept having fun every year. So yeah. Speaker 2: When we look at your junior career, three seasons with Sejep Limelöy-Titan, what do you remember most about that stage or that team and that program? What do you remember most about that time when it comes to your development, when it comes to your growth, both on and off the ice? Speaker 1: I feel like playing for the Mojoo was like a huge turning point in my hockey career. I was playing hockey like with my like local like teams, but I never played in like a integrated program like with the school or anything. So Sejep was the first time I was doing that. So being on the ice like four to six times a week made a huge difference in my development for sure. Being surrounded by such like good coaches and good players to like playing with the like some of the best players in their province was like made a huge difference on my development as well. Yeah, just being able to like I met awesome people there too. well, most of my best friends are from Nimoyu and I had the opportunity later on to play with them. the GGs too. that was pretty cool. But yeah, was so nice to be in like high class environment and everything was like put together for us to just keep developing and keep like having fun. So yeah, was a huge, some great years in my hockey career and we had to deal with COVID too. So it was kind of weird because like starting from my first year, like we never finished this season. We never get like to the playoffs or anything. So that was a little like adjustment I could say. But yeah, first and second season were pretty impacted by COVID. But yeah, seeing like everyone being so resilient and trying to find solutions for us to keep developing a major, it made a big difference and working on like individual techniques and skills. I never had the opportunity in my life to have that much time to work on those kind of things. So it was still a pretty good developing time, I'd say. Speaker 2: Absolutely. Yeah. And I mean, it clearly paid off because in your final season, you were awarded the RSEC Sportsmanship Award. What did, what did that mean to you when you reflect on your journey from a youth up to winning that award? Speaker 1: Yeah, well, it's, I was very like surprised at first, cause like I didn't know what I was doing, what is making like such a big impact. But I've always like growing up, my parents were always like teaching us to just be the best person we could be. like I'm talking because I have like Holder's brother, as I was saying, and the younger sister. ⁓ And I think I just like. always took that with me and just trying to be like the best, like the best version of me I could be. And just making sure like every relation and every interaction like, ⁓ was the best it could be. So just being recognized for that by other teams, like, yeah, I felt very like, ⁓ it was an honor for me to, to receive that award. And yeah, it just like helped me to. just stick with that and keep doing what I was doing. Speaker 2: Yeah, of course. ⁓ Speaking of sticking with it, you have stuck with it and you are now, as I mentioned off the top, with the University of Ottawa, the GGs. ⁓ Before we get into some of the really cool things about your time with the GGs, which there is a long list of course, ⁓ maybe just talk about what went into your decision to go with the GGs. I know in Canada, a lot of people are still. there, I think there's a change, a shift in mindset that a lot more Canadians are deciding to stay in Canada rather than going the NCAA route, which a lot of, ⁓ a lot of athletes, of course, have chosen to do and have been successful doing. You didn't, you chose to stay in Canada and you landed with the, ⁓ the GGs once again. What went into that decision to stay in Canada, but also with the GGs more specifically. Speaker 1: Yeah, so as I was saying during my Sijep years, had the little COVID period. So that made it a lot different for ⁓ university visits and university comments. So I was a little bit in that group. And some of the girls already in university were granted an extra year because of COVID. Like recruitment was a little weird everywhere and it was pretty hard to like, ⁓ to, plan, like to, know like what, what options were open. So I just went with like where I felt the most home. Like I know it's a little cliche, like visiting like in the, like online, the university and just like. receiving videos and just like information that you're not even there and you just, you just feel like, ⁓ like that's the program I want to be in. It kind of looked a lot like, like, ⁓ culture wise and, ⁓ like the way the coaching staff was involved with the girls and even like, I had, ⁓ old teammates that were there already. that were all like, ⁓ reasons why I knew I was going to be a good fit with that team. And yeah, I remember just like watching the promotional like videos, the coaches were sending me and like, had chills. So I was like, yeah, that's, that's where I want to go. And yeah, later on I had a chance to visit in person, the campus and everything. And I never regretted that choice. It was. Yeah. I'm in my fourth year now and I can say they were like. Well, they're like ⁓ the four best year of my life. I met like awesome people again and yeah, just being able to ⁓ keep pursuing like what I wanted to do academically, but also like being on a good hockey team and keep developing and keep like living great experience. I think that was like ⁓ the best case scenario for me. Speaker 2: Absolutely. Yeah. And what would you say when you think back all those years, when you think back to that jump from junior to collegiate, what was for you, what was the, what was the biggest maybe difference or maybe what was the biggest surprise? Did you feel like you had those experiences that really set you up for success at the collegiate level? Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I think we kind of have a very strong league in the Cégep in Quebec. So I was expecting it to be ⁓ different for sure at the university level, but I think I was well prepared. And coming up to university, ⁓ older than the girls from other provinces, we get three, well, most of us do three years of Cégep. So instead of going straight, ⁓ Coming straight from high school, we have like an extra, ⁓ well, usually it's two years. So we're getting to university older and more mature. I'm, sure that makes a huge difference. But even though like, I think I was well prepared, it's still like, ⁓ another like level. And I'll say like the physicality is probably one of the most like. ⁓ one of the biggest difference. ⁓ The game is faster for sure and the girls have a lot of skills. And being able to play in university for like five years also makes a difference because in between those five years the players keep developing and getting better. So yeah, I feel like that were the biggest difference. ⁓ But yeah, and it was also kind of special to play against ⁓ former teammates, because growing up like in Quebec, I was, well, in Ségéb, we were lucky enough that most of the girls were coming from the like Quebec area. So the girls I was playing with, ⁓ till like the end of my, ⁓ Ségéb, I played with them for like between like three and like 10 years. So I was used to play with them. But having to play against them at the university level was pretty special, but it was still a good opposition for sure. We played two years in the RSCQ before moving to the OUA. So that makes a big difference for me too. At first, choosing the University of Ottawa was also because they were playing in the RSCQ so I could see like my friends and my family and I could like travel closer to home. So that was like, like another reason why Ottawa was the place for me. But when we, we learned that we were going to move to the OUA at first, it was kind of like, well, I don't want to say stressful because I like, I trust my. the sport services and the coaching staff so much that I knew it was like the best decision for us. And I'm now living it for the second year and I could say like, I'm so happy I got to experience both leagues. Like obviously like moving from a league that had like 16 to a league that has 14 makes a huge difference. being able to like... ⁓ like live all those away weekends and road trips and like, I kind of missed that coming back from the CGEAP and like during my two first years of university. yeah, was really nice to be able to experience both. Speaker 2: ⁓ Yes. I, it's speaking of experiences. ⁓ you have recently crossed a major milestone and that's your hundredth career game. ⁓ when you reflect on that milestone, first of all, does it feel real? ⁓ but what does it mean to you to have crossed such a, you know, the, century? What does it mean to you to, to cross that milestone? Speaker 1: It's crazy. It's a lot. can never, yeah, time flies for real. Like I just remember being first year, like playing my first games and now like I just blink and I'm fourth year, like more than a hundred game played. Yeah, it's crazy. And it was a really emotional game too. It was our senior night. So it was pretty special to. to live that with all my family and some friends ⁓ that did the trip to be there for that moment. yeah, I was really well surrounded, even like my teammates, and I got like all the cute like set up for senior night and my 100 game. Yeah, I was very happy to like be able to share that moment with. the people I love most and yeah, it's crazy to think that all this time I flew by so fast and yeah, I can say that I had fun every single game so that's what I'm the most proud of. Speaker 2: So then let's think back to that growth that you've been on. Like, could you maybe talk about, of course, the player that you've become over your time with the GGs, but it's really about you growing as a person over that, over that period of time. Maybe reflect on it. What, what, how, how would you say you've changed since first entering into the collegiate life to right now? Speaker 1: Yeah, that's a pretty hard question. Yeah, for sure, I've become a better hockey player, but yeah, for sure, a better person. Just being able to keep... Because coming up to university, I knew I wanted to apply eventually to med school. So just being able to set my goals right away and just... do everything I could to make them happen on the ice, on the ice. ⁓ Like time management was a big, big part of it. ⁓ It's not always perfect still, but just like being able to make the most of my time and ⁓ just like being able to prioritize what's really important for me in the moment to make sure like I don't. I don't miss anything. don't regret anything. If I'm at the rink in the morning, like, yes, sometimes it's really, but just being surrounded by my incredible teammates makes a big difference. And then after like going to school and then coming back and having the study, because I want to have time during the weekend because of the game. Like, it's not always easy, but there's always like positive and yeah, I think I got a lot better to. acknowledge that and just like be able to ask for help too when I need some. Cause yeah, sometimes we want to, we want to beat off, we want to do everything by ourselves, but there's nothing wrong in asking for help when we need some. So yeah, that's some of the biggest lessons I've learned. Speaker 2: Spoken like a true leader. And I want to talk about that because what ⁓ does leadership mean to you? I know that it's a letter on the Jersey, but I feel like it's so much more than that because you're... Well, I don't want to necessarily answer the question for you, but there's a lot more to it. There's a lot more to it that maybe people don't see when it comes to, of course, the team on the ice, but... everything else that comes with being a leader. And so how would you define what leadership is and do you think that's changed as a result of your own experiences through your collegiate career? Speaker 1: think it changes not every day, but it changed a lot ⁓ regarding the situations. But I feel like to me, leadership is just being present, just getting the best of every opportunities and ⁓ leading by example. ⁓ I think I always want to be the best I can be at school, at hockey, on the ice. ⁓ So yeah, just trying to work to get better and ⁓ to be mindful of what other ⁓ people are dealing with. I think that my teammates know that my door is always open so they can always come and chat ⁓ about things that happen. ⁓ around the team, but also like things that happen in their personal lives if they want to. yeah, I feel like that's the definition of leadership for me. Speaker 2: Before we get to the final segment, the final buzzer segment of the show, ⁓ I do want to ask because you're in Ottawa, of course, there is also a professional women's hockey team here in Ottawa, the Ottawa Charge. ⁓ And so I wanted to get from, to learn from your perspective. What does it mean to have that professional team in your city and one that does also host practices at your arena, right? ⁓ So what does that mean to you? Because it's now, it's not just something you can see on TV, which is long overdue, but it's something you can see tangibly right in front of you and you get to be around. What does that mean to you? Speaker 1: It's very nice. It made a big difference too in way people see ⁓ women, professional sports. But yeah, having them so close and so accessible too. Every single player we met were very generous and very kind. And I feel like they make a huge impact in the community in general. They're very involved. And people do appreciate that. ⁓ And yeah, like every time we see their gear and their stuff coming in our ring, like everyone's kind of excited and yeah, sometimes we can have like a sneak peek to what they're doing. And it's nice to see like what it takes to get to that level. And I'm pretty sure it can like inspire a lot of ⁓ us. But yeah, it's so nice just to... Like even when we're skating on the canal and we just see people like wearing their jersey, I feel like we've seen more charged jerseys than the sense jersey. So that's pretty good. Speaker 2: Yeah, let's go. That's what I like to hear. Absolutely. ⁓ One last one for you again, before we move on. ⁓ When you think about maybe your own journey in your own hockey journey, but that next generation as well, what do you think it means to that next generation to be inspired by you, by the GGs? by ⁓ the Ravens, sorry, I have to say it, but the other Ottawa team here as well, but as well as the charge, they can see, you know, they say when you can see it, you can be it. Is that something that you believe in as well when you think about the impact that the growing women's space, women's hockey space in Ottawa may have on that next generation of kids? Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm, I'm a hundred percent sure. ⁓ growing up, I had the chance to like, ⁓ my hometown was like 15 minutes away from Marit Bray's hometown. So I had a chance to like, ⁓ meet her a couple of times and that made like a huge difference for sure on my motivation and, on my dreams. ⁓ we didn't have like a university team in Quebec, but it's coming next year. So. I'm pretty excited for the girls, ⁓ the young girls back in Quebec. But here in Ottawa, makes, I don't want to say it makes a difference because I don't see it like, ⁓ like it doesn't feel to us that like we're doing anything like crazy, but I'm sure it does. Like the girls that comes to our game and they're just like so happy to see us and they're like drawing their signs and just like. It's so nice to see what impact we can have on them. It's also nice to know that we're doing that while having so much fun and just living the best experience of our lives. If it can help little girls to dream big and keep pushing, I'm more than happy. Speaker 2: Wow, and she met MPP, Captain Clutch herself. That's incredible. Yeah. Okay, so I want to dive into that, but I've already kept you long enough. So I want to, we'll move right along to the final buzzer segment of the show. It's just a fun, rapid fire way to wrap up the conversation. What is your go-to pregame meal? Speaker 1: ⁓ I'll say it's spaghetti with my mom's sauce. Speaker 2: ⁓ there we go. Yeah. I was like spaghetti mom sauce. Got it. ⁓ that's an, that's a key ingredient there. what part of hockey still feels the most fun for you? Speaker 1: Just getting back to the locker room after a big win, celebrating with the girls. Speaker 2: When we think of, well, actually, when we think about the locker room, part of that means like before a game, there's, probably some music going on over the speakers. Maybe you just have some music going on in your own headphones. What's playing, what gets you pumped up ready and game ready pre-game for every game? ⁓ Speaker 1: I love pretty much everything, but I would say I'm a big country fan. And one of my old roommate had me tell this to some bad bunny and I kind of like it. Speaker 2: Okay. Okay. New addition to the playlist. ⁓ What's something that people may not know about you? I mean, if you want to lean on the MPP part thing or MPP thing again, I'm totally fine with that being your answer, but if there is another one, feel free to throw that in here. Speaker 1: I don't think people know how much I love peanut butter. Yeah. Speaker 2: Okay. On a scale of one to 10, how much do you love peanut butter? Is it like a solid 11? Speaker 1: Yeah, it's probably 12. ⁓ Speaker 2: ⁓ wow, okay, okay, right off the charts, okay. Do you have it with every meal? Is it like the meal maybe that you're most looking forward to is getting whatever it is but with peanut butter on it? Speaker 1: Yeah, like if I wasn't like controlling myself, could hit it like three times a day, but I am sticking to breakfast for now. So it's not like my snack coming back from school, but yeah, I'm trying to limit it a little. Speaker 2: Okay. Yeah. Secret's safe with me. If your teammates could describe you in one word, what do you think that word would be? Speaker 1: That's a good question. I think they would say I'm resilient. Speaker 2: Good answer. ⁓ When you think back, this is the last one for you. When you think back to being that young kid growing up in Quebec, what would you tell her about the journey ahead? Speaker 1: ⁓ Just dream big, keep having fun and just like make the most of every opportunities and don't be shy to like take your place and just like yeah, do it. Speaker 2: That's good. love that. love that. And that wraps up the final buzzer segment of the show and this episode of Rinkside Rundown. Beatrice, thank you so much. ⁓ I have honestly, truthfully, so been looking forward to having this conversation with you. And I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to chat with you. I can't wait to continue rooting for you. You're now a friend of the show, which means that I will inevitably inundate the world with celebrations of every milestone that you achieved. So thank you so much for joining the show. Speaker 1: Thanks to you. Speaker 2: And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, leave a review and share it with your fellow hockey fans. Your support helps me to continue bringing you stories just like this one from around the world of women's hockey. I'm Chris Sinclair. Thank you so much for tuning in and I'll catch you next time on Rinkside Rundown.