TMR's Ward a National Team mainstay

By Mark Lidbetter, October 10th, 2012

The Town of Mount Royal's Catherine Ward has not only played hockey at the highest levels possible, she has enjoyed success at every level she has participated in all the way back to her roots in Lac St. Louis. The rewards the 25-year-old member of Team Canada has come through her skills, hard work and desire to continually be on top of her game.
Gold at the Vancouver Olympics two silver and gold at the World Championships, a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four with Boston University and a trio of CIS championships with McGill all are part of Ward's lengthy hockey accomplishments.
“I love the game,” Ward said. “It is always an honour to have the chance to represent Canada when so many wish that they could.”
Ward recently returned from a National training camp for the women's National team in Calgary where Hockey Canada is setting the tone and the roster for the upcoming competitive campaign, which will conclude with the World Championships in Ottawa this coming April, 2013.
For Ward, who has been part of the women's National team since 2009, these camps always provide a challenge and chance to push her.
“There's training, four games in five days and testing,” Ward said. “I don't feel old but it is funny to see so many 94's (players born in 1994) at camp. It is impressive to see the quality of the talent that will be the future of the program.”
Women's hockey is not just about training to be the best there is an element of promoting the game to the young players flocking to the rinks.
“Participating in the community, whether it is attending a practice or a tournament give a profile to the sport and shows the players what they can strive for,' she said. “When I started (female hockey) there was only one team no real age categories so the growth has been great and we have to keep promoting it.”
Ward and the Stars will begin their title defence on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Etienne Desmarteau arena with a 5 p.m. face-off against their rivals from Boston.
The season will provide the chance to stay sharp for the 2013 IIHF World Championships, which will be hosted in Ottawa in April.
“It's special playing at home like we did in Vancouver,” she said. “So getting to do it again in Ottawa will really give the team a push.”
Going in as the defending Olympic and World champions, Ward knows the United States will be looking for payback after Canada defeated the Americans in 2012 on their home ice in Burlington Vermont.
“We always want to win against the American team,” she said. “Playing at home means there is a lot of added pressure.”
The 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship, taking place April 2-9 at SBP Arena and Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa, Ont. The 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship host committee is still recruiting volunteers for this prestigious event, so if you're interested in joining the team, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/ 2013Ottawa.
Ticket packages for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship are on sale now and include 12 games at SBP Arena, home of the Ottawa Senators, all Team Canada games and all medal round games. For more ticket information, please visit www.HockeyCanada. ca/2013Ottawa.