On Monday night, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted its class of 2025, including three PWHL honorees. The Hall inducted Montreal Victoire GM Daniele Sauvageau in the Builder category, and Team Canada player Jennifer Botterill, and Team USA player Brianna Decker.
HockeyHotStove was on the red carpet to speak to several Team Canada players: Botterill’s teammates – coached or managed by Sauvageau – from the Olympic teams that won consecutive gold medals between 2002 and 2010.
Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, HHOF 2018
“Jen was a professional. She was consistent, she showed up, worked hard. I had a chance to play with her for a long time. Between her, and myself, and Caroline Ouellette, we played a long time together. It’s pretty cool that we have all now gotten into the Hall.
Daniele loves the game so much. She cares so much about every level of the game, from building, developing, to the highest level I really respect the work she does. She’s this problem solver and just always wants to elevate the game, which is really important.
Marie-Philip Poulin, captain, Montreal Victoire
“I’m pretty fortunate to play with Botterill on the same line. Off the ice she wanted to make sure the young kids were feeling like themselves and part of the team right away. That’s what she’s done her entire life, and I was pretty lucky to be put on the same line. Seeing what she’s done for hockey on the broadcasting side, it’s been amazing. So it’s pretty see her to see her inducted.
Daniele’s experience, the women’s game, it’s no surprise that she’s inducted tonight as the first woman (Builder), so I think it’s pretty amazing. Obviously we’re pretty lucky to have her in Montreal.”
Kim St-Pierre, HHOF 2020
“I was so happy when I saw Jen’s name in the induction this year, it’s so well-deserved. She’s made the difference in so many games for Canada. So now that she’s being recognized, I’m very proud of her.
Daniele built so much, either as a coach or as a leader – a visionary. She started in ’98, she had this vision and wanted to bring women’s hockey to the next level, and she took the lead in 2002. Winning the first Olympic gold medal (for Canada) was precious. And then it was not the end for her. She envisioned this professional league. She wanted something more, and then she just kept opening doors. So it’s quite impressive for so long to be making a difference. Everyone along the way, I think she inspired a lot of people.
Caroline Ouellette, HHOF 2023
“I started on the national team, and Jen was right away an incredible teammate. She made me feel welcome. She made me feel appreciated. She took the time to speak with me in French. She’s fully bilingual, and I barely spoke English back then. I was privileged to play on her line for most of my career. I wouldn’t be here without her. What really stood out is not only her incredible hockey vision, how committed she was both offensively and defensively, but just a human – she always made you feel good, made you feel confident. I’ll always remember the night before the final in Salt Lake City, she said to me ‘we’ll win tomorrow.’ It was my first Olympic final. I was super nervous and she helped calm me down a lot. So she’s been incredible teammate and friend over the years, and I’m so proud of her.
That season was so difficult. We had lost eight straight games to the Americans, and it was just another moment of adversity we were facing. And I remember (Sauvageau) just staying really calm and composed and saying “we got this”. All the players that played on the penalty kill kept giving us so much energy. The energy on the bench I’ll never forget. We were cheering each other on, and the more the game went on, the more energy we had. It just motivated me to want to go back the Olympics and become an even better member of Team Canada.”
