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Sunday, March 14, 1999
Veteran forward St-Louis retires in style
ESPOO, Finland (CP) -- As much as Canada's fifth straight women's world hockey triumph was to atone for losing to the United States at the 1998 Olympics, it was also redemption for France St-Louis.The 40-year-old forward from St-Hubert, Que., was able to retire as a winner Sunday after Canada beat the Americans 3-1 in the championship game to regain No. 1 status and stretch its incredible undefeated streak in tournament history to 25-0.
"It's a good ending, let me tell you," St-Louis said. "I wanted to leave hockey with a great feeling, and this is a great feeling going with a gold medal."
A younger player will take her spot next March when the tournament is held in Mississauga, Ont., but her skate boots will be large ones to fill.
"She's just an outstanding athlete," said captain Therese Brisson. "She's meant a lot to the program.
"She's been there right from the beginning. She's one of the last ones around that really stands for the spirit of women's hockey. The pioneering influence she's had has been outstanding.
"We're certainly going to miss her but I know she'll always be somewhat involved as she moves on to other things."
St-Louis and Geraldine Heaney of Toronto are the only two players in this lineup who have been around for all five world wins.
"I just wanted that gold medal so bad," St-Louis said. "The girls played so well.
"We showed we were a really close team and we wanted that game very badly."
At the team meeting Saturday night, the players talked about winning the championship for St-Louis.
"We really sort of dedicated this game to her," said teammate Becky Kellar. "She's a great leader."
Added teammate Jayna Hefford: "She's meant so much to women's hockey in Canada and to every girl in that dressing room she's the true leader. You can't say enough about her. We love her."
Coach Daniele Sauvageau gave St-Louis a regular shift in the third period.
"When I first started coaching hockey, France was on my team," said Sauvageau. "So, for me to give her ice time in the third period to make sure she was going to finish with a great feeling was very important. It was one of my goals in that game."
With a minute remaining, St-Louis, standing in the bench area, began hopping up and down in excitement.
"I was trying to really live this tournament minute by minute," she said. "I wanted to feel really good about myself and give everything I had.
"It's a great feeling."
She says the program is in good hands with young players such as Hayley Wickenheiser.
"Look at Wick. She's only 20 and she's already been with the team five years.
"Caroline Ouellette was a rookie this year and I think in the future she has a lot of potential. (Goaltender) Sami Jo (Small) was amazing. Cassie Campbell . . . they're all great people. We have players who are leaders in their own way and that's why we are so special."
It was Vicky Sunohara's third world win with St-Louis.
"She finished off on an awesome note," said Sunohara. "I don't think she needs to leave.
"She's in great shape. I told her. There are NHLers who go past 40. She could. She's in the best shape of anybody on our team.
"She's had an amazing career. She's a role model for many, many girls."
Heaney, 31, plans to continue playing. She'll be back next spring to try out for the national team again.