MVP WINNER
Jennifer Runciman- Hockey

I have been involved in hockey for over twenty years, both as a player and a coach. I started playing hockey at the age of six with the BelAir Boys Minor Hockey Association. At age ten, I felt that I was not challenged enough in House League, so I had my first tryout in competitive hockey. I was the first girl chosen to play boys' AA hockey in Ottawa.

By the time I was in peewee, Ottawa-Nepean Raiders were formed to offer girls a competitive team in the National Capital region. This is the Association where I chose to play most of my hockey career.
In 1991, Women's hockey became an official sport in the Canada Winter Games. It was an honour to be selected as a member of Team Ontario.

I missed my first year of hockey in 1993 (sidelined by shoulder surgery) and became an Assistant Coach at the Senior A level. I really enjoyed the experience from the bench. It gave me a whole new perspective on the game of hockey.

I then left home to attend Concordia University in Montreal and played 3 years of varsity hockey. During my stay at Concordia, our team was chosen to represent Canada in a tournament in Russia. I came home for my final year of studies and graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Ottawa. In the meantime, I continued playing Senior AA hockey for the National Capital Competitive Program (NCCP). I also became an Assistant Coach at the Peewee A level.

In 1999, I married a fantastic man who understood my desire to play hockey and he encouraged me to continue playing at a competitive level. The following summer, I became pregnant with my first child, which forced me to miss my second year of hockey in the past 20 years.

Since I was a little girl, I've had a tremendous passion for the game of hockey. It not only challenged me physically and mentally but it also inspired me to pursue my academics. I may have not chosen the University path, if not for the opportunity to further develop in the sport I love.

Even today, I try to encourage less experienced players to develop to their potential. One of the ways I do this is by playing and practicing with a high level of emotion.

My short-term goal is to continue playing hockey at a competitive level, bringing experience and leadership to my team. In the future, I wish to pass my knowledge of hockey on to my children, not only as a parent, but also as a coach.

With the new benefits for maternity leave, I am blessed to have the opportunity to be at home with my daughter for a full year. This, however, has caused considerable financial strain. Thanks to the Nike Girls @ Play MVP Grant, I will have the opportunity to continue playing hockey at a level that will still challenge me.

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