Kim St-Pierre continues to blaze trails

MONTREAL -- A blurry one-timer flies by Kim St-Pierre's head.

Unfazed by the ridiculous velocity involved in an Alexei Kovalev slap shot, St-Pierre focuses on the next shot.
And the next one. And the next one.
Practice wraps up and whispers among the Canadiens players turn into a chorus of impressive compliments for the guest goaltender.
They did not take it easy on her, and that's exactly what she wanted.
"That's what I liked most," says St-Pierre. "No one held back. It was great. I was really proud of that moment."
The majority of the Habs did not even know they were facing the second woman to ever practice with an NHL team.
The reaction is unanimous; she's a hell of a goaltender, the same conclusion most had reached whenever they witnessed St-Pierre play.
It was a dream come true for the Chateauguay native, who happened to be a die-hard Canadiens fan.
Like many young goaltenders of the era, she wore her trapper and mask in the family's living room as she cheered on the Canadiens.
She mimicked her favorite player, Patrick Roy, as he made spectacular saves on any given night.
She even presented a school report on the merit of the Roy trade to Colorado.
Simply put, she was hockey obsessed.
St-Pierre's brief stint with the Canadiens was simply yet another chapter in an impressive career that encompasses the best of Canadian hockey.
Her accomplishments read like a wish list of hopes and dreams from any young Canuck aspiring to make their mark.
Three Olympic gold medals. Nine World Championship medals, including five gold medals. Two Clarkson Cups. A trifecta of gold medals at the Four Nations tournament.
Oh, and she was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, becoming only the eighth woman and the first female goaltender to receive the honor.
Truth be told, there are hundreds of qualified women that deserve similar recognition, and while there has been a significant shift in perception as to who should join hockey's pantheon, the change is slow.
But without players like St-Pierre, that shift may have never occurred.
She endured the usual hardships involved in ascending to the top level of sports, but did so with the relatively insignificant amount of resources afforded to women's hockey in this country.
One of the most dominant goaltenders of all time, St-Pierre did not play with women until she was about 18 years old. And though it was an impressive journey, it serves as a reminder that for the most part, the superstars we celebrate with fervor every four years at the Olympics reached that point through sheer determination and will.
And now, she serves as the ultimate example for the next generation of players dreaming of beaming with pride as they receive a gold medal around their neck.
"Kim St-Pierre is an angel, honestly," said longtime teammate Caroline Ouellette. "She's always positive, always in a good mood, and always listens to others. Her empathy allows her to notice when people are not doing very well, and she's incredibly generous with her time."

Photo credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
There are certain things St-Pierre will always say yes to.
The first is winning hockey games, because, statistically speaking, all she did was win.
But now the mission is a little different. The tone in her voice shifts from humble to hopeful when she discusses the reaction of girls and boys pawing at her many shiny gold medals during one of her many school visits.
"It's our job to teach the next generation, to teach them and motivate them," said St-Pierre. "Perseverance is key, and I take that role to heart."
She wants to provide the type of support every young Canadian deserves, and she does so with a unique perspective that puts an onus on mental health and variety, rather than a hockey-centric approach.
There's no denying that hockey is part of the Canadian fabric. It's sewn into every corner of the rich tapestry of our history, going back to when the Mi'kmaq people of Nova Scotia crafted the first modern hockey sticks, circa 1850.
But there's a certain double-edged sword involved in the level of importance we give to this sport, particularly for younger players trying to make their way through life.
Hockey is fun, hockey is liberating, hockey brings structure.
But, hockey can't be everything.
"I knew there were a lot of little girls watching my Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony," says St-Pierre. "And that means I need to continue to promote women's hockey, because it's not at the level it should be, yet.
"But I always encourage them to participate in several sports, not just hockey. Oftentimes, hockey gets too serious way too early. That can discourage many kids, meaning they'll leave the sport on a sour note. The key is making sure they have fun, work hard, and then good things will happen. It's not just about playing in the NHL or winning a gold medal, it's a school of life that should provide you with lifelong friends, discipline, and a fantastic support system.
"You don't want the next generation to get to 14 or 15 years old and have the pressure and stress of the situation force them to quit. It doesn't lead to a healthy mind. Parents must prioritize the love of the sport, and avoid adding pressure. Kids these days already add way too much pressure to themselves.
"Ask them if they had fun. Tell them you love watching them play. Be there for the right reason. Be there for the kids. "
St-Pierre still has a lot left to give the hockey world.

Photo credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
She currently works as an analyst with RDS, though, if the opportunity arose, she'd enjoy a more hands-on approach in the sports world.
"Hockey is my passion," said St-Pierre "We're finally starting to see some women get involved in the NHL, and I think that would be a fantastic challenge for me.
"I miss hockey, and I'd be open to any possibilities. I think it would be fantastic to be involved with NHL management."
Given her penchant for inspiration, her elite talent, her accomplishments, and her background in kinesiology, it's hard to picture St-Pierre going without a job in the NHL for very long.
"She's such a good person that will always give you energy and help you get on the right track," said Ouellette. "She has the ability to remain calm throughout most situations, on and off the ice. She's the ultimate team player and knows how to collaborate with others. She also has a very positive mindset, which leads to great relationships. Good relationships lead to unified teams.
"Kim could bring a lot to any professional hockey team."
She's qualified, she's determined, and she's among the brightest minds in the sport.
But until the NHL comes calling, there's one thing she can hang her hat on, something that takes a lifetime of hard work and strength to attain.
Young goaltenders around the world no longer have to exclusively dream about becoming the next Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, or Carey Price.
Now, they can dream of becoming the next Kim St-Pierre.