If it’s Canada and we’re talking sports, top of the list is always, you guessed it, hockey. And even more exciting for us gals is the fact that women’s hockey is becoming increasingly impactful, as it should be.
Speaking of which, right at the centre of it all is goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens, who has been turning heads and breaking barriers from the outset.
Born and bred in Quebec, Ann-Renée’s pedigree is nothing short of impressive with a capital I. She made history as the first female player ever drafted to the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, the second-highest men’s junior league in the province after the QMJHL, selected by the Loups de La Tuque.
Growing up, she faced her fair share of challenges while pursuing her dream of becoming an Olympian. Cut more than once along the way (blame the coaches who didn’t believe in developing girls), this unstoppable athlete never let those setbacks shake her A game.
She pushed forward, persevered, and ultimately rewrote the NCAA record book while playing for the Wisconsin Badgers, culminating in being named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner in 2017, honouring the top player in women’s college hockey.
Since then, Ann-Renée Desbiens has become a fixture on the world stage, competing in multiple IHF Women’s World Championships and Winter Olympic Games, consistently representing Canada with her signature skill, determination, and poise. From 2015 through 2022, she left a lasting mark internationally, culminating in a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
She’s also part of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, where she serves as goaltender for Montreal Victoire, continuing to elevate the game at the professional level.
Clearly, this homegrown luminary’s journey is proof positive that talent, resilience, and passion will always find a way to shine, on and off the ice. And if that’s not a beautiful story for this GLAMADA-themed edition, then I don’t know what is. Elbows way up!
Action Photo ANN-RENÉE DESBIENS
Studio photos GENEVIEVE CHARBONNEAU
For more on Ann-Renée, follow her @anndesbiens.