Amanda Provan was the first woman to play for Canada's national Blind Hockey team, and someday hopes there will be international women's competitions.
Amanda Provan was the first woman to play for Canada's national Blind Hockey team, and someday hopes there will be international women's competitions.
Amanda Provan is a woman of firsts. In fact, every time she steps on the ice, the potential for Provan to make history is present.
Last Fall, Provan became the first woman to play for Canada's national Blind Hockey team when she stepped on the ice at the International Blind Hockey Series. She soon became the first woman to score a goal in international Blind Hockey competition, and to win a championship.
Provan has always loved hockey, and now she's spreading that love to other woman and girls who are sighted, partially sighted, or blind.
"I've always loved hockey and it became a big part of my life once I started playing," she said.
Provan's introduction to Blind Hockey came a few seasons ago when her mother saw a social media post about a Blind Hockey event in Toronto.
"She told me about it and we decided that we would take a trip...so we took a trip from Sudbury to Toronto for the weekend to check out this tournament."
Proven stepped on the ice that weekend for a "try it" session, and she was immediately asked to participate in the development and low vision division for the final two games of the tournament.
Now, she's an integral member of the Canadian Blind Hockey team, and an integral voice in the growth of the sport for other individuals who are partially sighted or blind. Making the national team was on Provan's mind from the first day she joined the sport.
"For me it means a lot, because making that team was like a dream or goal of mine that I've had since it was established," Provan said.
"Just to be able to be kind of a role model to the other female players and young girls and just kind of those them that it's possible to get there with hard work and dedication."
Provan's representation has helped the game grow for women, including at Canadian Blind Hockey's women's summit events they've held in conjunction with the Blind Hockey championships each year.
Someday, Provan hopes that there will be more international competitions, including a women's world championship.
"I just try to do my best to be a good example and try to just prove that women belong on that national team, just as well as any male player," she said. "The ultimate goal for the women's program is to be able to have a national team and be able to have those international tournaments."
