A Golden Tear: Danièle Sauvageau's Journey to Olympic Gold

Janet Money is a writer and policy analyst for the Canadian Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation in Toronto.

This behind-the-scenes look at the coach who steered Canada’s
women’s hockey team to the gold medal at the 2002 Olympics joins a
growing body of women’s ice hockey literature. It is a worthy member
of that group. Sally Manning provides the reader with real insight into
what it took to turn around the once-invincible hockey team.

Daniиle Sauvageau grew up just outside of Montreal and fell in love
with hockey at an early age—so early that there was nowhere for her to
play. She helped out with her brother’s team as a youngster and
eventually began taking qualifying courses to become a certified coach.
By this time, she was an RCMP constable on the other side of the country
in Powell River, British Columbia. After returning home later to join
the Montreal Urban Community Police Service, she began climbing up the
ladder in the women’s hockey coaching ranks. She was an assistant
coach on the 1998 Olympic team that lost to the United States in the
gold medal game; shortly after that result, she was promoted to head
coach.

The four-year process of preparing the team for its next crack at the
gold is detailed by Manning through extensive interviews with Sauvageau
and several members of the national team. Even with a known outcome, the
account of the Games is exciting.

This engaging story of an excellent role model is a must-have for any
hockey lover’s collection.