Danièle Sauvageau
Encyclopedia
Danièle Sauvageau, MSC is the former head coach
of the Canadian national women's hockey team
which won the Gold medal in ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
. She was born in Montreal on April 22, 1962.
, Sauvageau was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
for 21 years, serving five years in the narcotics division. As a Police Sergeant, she has also performed undercover narcotics investigations, busted a squad car full of drug dealers, and even ordered a forced entry and rescue of a double agent whose life was in jeopardy.
and speed skater Cindy Klassen
. As Head Coach of the first Canadian Olympic hockey team to win gold in 50 years, Sauvageau became a Canadian hero. Sauvageau was named Head Coach of Canada's National Women's Hockey Team for the 2001 World Hockey Championship and the 2002 Winter Olympics on June 22, 2000.
Sauvageau has worked at almost every level of hockey open to female coaches. After the disappointing silver medal showing at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, Sauvageau was named the new head coach of the team and general manager of the Canadian female hockey program. It was a rough ride, with seven straight losses to the U.S. team prior to the Olympics. However, her team-building methods and leadership skills led the team to an extraordinary gold medal victory.
In 1999-2000, she became an assistant coach for the Montreal Rocket
of the QMJHL. She was the first female coach in QMJHL history. Sauvageau was the first female NHL Saturday Night Hockey TV analyst for Canada’s French station Télévision de Radio-Canada
and is the new official spokesperson for the Coaching Association of Canada
. She was a member of the successful bid committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic bid.
As part of the IIHF Ambassador and Mentor Program, Brisson was a Hockey Canada coaching mentor that travelled to Bratislava, Slovakia to participate in the 2011 IIHF High Performance Women's Camp from July 4-12.
As of 2010, she is the general manager of the Montreal Carabins women's ice hockey program.
and of the RCMP Academy, Depot Division
. She was a Sergeant in the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
(City of Montreal Police Service).
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Canadian national women's hockey team
Canadian national women's hockey team
The Canadian women's national ice hockey team is controlled by Hockey Canada. Canada has been by far one of the two most dominant teams in international competition. They have won the majority of major ice hockey tournaments, while their losses have only been against the United States and Sweden...
which won the Gold medal in ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
. She was born in Montreal on April 22, 1962.
Early life
Originally from Deux-Montagnes, QuebecDeux-Montagnes, Quebec
Deux-Montagnes is a municipality in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the north shore of the Rivière des Mille Îles where it flows out of Lake of Two Mountains...
, Sauvageau was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal is the police force for the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With about 4,400 officers and 1,600 civilian staff, it is the second largest municipal police agency in Canada after the Toronto Police Service and second largest in the province behind the...
for 21 years, serving five years in the narcotics division. As a Police Sergeant, she has also performed undercover narcotics investigations, busted a squad car full of drug dealers, and even ordered a forced entry and rescue of a double agent whose life was in jeopardy.
Hockey
When the Canadian Under 19 women’s hockey team was founded on May 15, 1996, Danielle Sauvageau was the head coach. Two future Olympians played for her:Caroline OuelletteCaroline Ouellette
Caroline Ouellette is a Canadian ice hockey player. She is a member of the Canadian national women's ice hockey team and a member of Montreal Stars...
and speed skater Cindy Klassen
Cindy Klassen
Cindy Klassen, OM is a Canadian long track speed skater. Klassen is a six-time medalist at the Winter Olympics. She is tied with Clara Hughes for Canada's all-time most decorated Olympian with 6 medals each...
. As Head Coach of the first Canadian Olympic hockey team to win gold in 50 years, Sauvageau became a Canadian hero. Sauvageau was named Head Coach of Canada's National Women's Hockey Team for the 2001 World Hockey Championship and the 2002 Winter Olympics on June 22, 2000.
Sauvageau has worked at almost every level of hockey open to female coaches. After the disappointing silver medal showing at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, Sauvageau was named the new head coach of the team and general manager of the Canadian female hockey program. It was a rough ride, with seven straight losses to the U.S. team prior to the Olympics. However, her team-building methods and leadership skills led the team to an extraordinary gold medal victory.
In 1999-2000, she became an assistant coach for the Montreal Rocket
Montreal Rocket
The Montreal Rocket were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for four seasons from 1999 to 2003, based out of Montreal, Quebec. The team was named in honor of Montreal Canadiens great Maurice "Rocket" Richard...
of the QMJHL. She was the first female coach in QMJHL history. Sauvageau was the first female NHL Saturday Night Hockey TV analyst for Canada’s French station Télévision de Radio-Canada
Télévision de Radio-Canada
Télévision de Radio-Canada is a Canadian French language television network. It is owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, known in French as Société Radio-Canada. Headquarters are at Maison Radio-Canada in Montreal, which is also home to the network's flagship station, CBFT-DT...
and is the new official spokesperson for the Coaching Association of Canada
Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada is a not-for-profit amateur sport organization with the mandate to improve the effectiveness of coaching across all levels of the sport system. Its mission is to enhance the experiences of all Canadian athletes through quality coaching...
. She was a member of the successful bid committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic bid.
As part of the IIHF Ambassador and Mentor Program, Brisson was a Hockey Canada coaching mentor that travelled to Bratislava, Slovakia to participate in the 2011 IIHF High Performance Women's Camp from July 4-12.
As of 2010, she is the general manager of the Montreal Carabins women's ice hockey program.
Education
She is a graduate of the Université de MontréalUniversité de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
and of the RCMP Academy, Depot Division
RCMP Academy, Depot Division
RCMP Academy, Depot Division has been providing police training to Royal Canadian Mounted Police "cadets" since its establishment in 1885. The facility is located in the west part of Regina, Saskatchewan, near the airport, and consists of several buildings.In the RCMP's early days, Depot had a...
. She was a Sergeant in the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal is the police force for the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With about 4,400 officers and 1,600 civilian staff, it is the second largest municipal police agency in Canada after the Toronto Police Service and second largest in the province behind the...
(City of Montreal Police Service).
Awards and honors
- In 2004, she was awarded the Meritorious Service CrossMeritorious Service Decoration (Canada)The Meritorious Service Decorations , available in two forms as the Meritorious Service Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal , are Canadian decorations awarded to those who have demonstrated an outstanding level of service or set an exemplary standard of...
(civil division). In 2002, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from Saint Mary's UniversitySaint Mary's University (Halifax)Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
. - Sauvageau received an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from Saint Mary's University (Halifax. N.S.)Saint Mary's University (Halifax)Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
in October 2002 for her leadership in international athletics