Few people in this country have had the kind of profound impact on how Canadians live and breathe sport like Danièle Sauvageau.

Her name is synonymous, certainly in Quebec, with the game stitched across the nation’s heart.

“She's touched every level of female hockey and male hockey, to be honest,” said Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the Montreal Victoire and the decorated women’s national team.

“She's always had a strong drive to make sure that we grew female hockey here in Quebec. And for many years, it was difficult. I feel like right now we have such incredible momentum, to see the crowd that comes to the Victoire games and to see young girls wear jerseys all over the place, it's pretty incredible.”

Sauvageau, the girl who grew up in Deux-Montanges, Que., and wasn’t allowed to play

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