2010-11 National Women's Team

Tessa Bonhomme, a 2010 Olympic Winter Games gold medallist and member of Canada’s National Women’s Team for the 2010 4 Nations Cup, gives HockeyCanada.ca her point-of-view from St. John’s and Clarenville, N.L.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

We landed in St John's yesterday with a warm welcome from media and a very excited young fan who wore his Team Canada jersey with pride. He was a little shy at first, but he built up the courage to ask for some autographs and had a good chat with a couple of us girls. Okay, so his dad did help create some conversation! We’re looking forward to seeing him and his family out at our games. :)

We had the evening off to grab a bite to eat, so we decided to walk around town and find a place along the way. We thought it would be smart to head towards George Street, since we've heard nothing but great things about it! We ended up stumbling across a place called Yellow Belly and had a delicious meal! The service was great and the food was even better! While we DID enjoy the fresh air on the walk there, the weather is rather chilly here on The Rock, so we had to cab it home, getting a mini tour along the way by our very friendly driver. I can't get enough of the multi-coloured houses and buildings, and the relaxed pace of life here. Everyone has been so friendly that it's going to be tough to say goodbye come the 14th! 

Our first day of practice was great! Everyone was getting used to their new lines and D-pairings, while the goalies put on a puck-stopping show, as per usual. We're definitely a lucky team with the goalies we have! Who can complain with goaltenders like Kim St-Pierre (who has practised with the Habs several times), Shannon Szabados (who, I'm almost positive, is being scouted by the Oilers) and newcomer Christina Kessler (a standout who smashed records while playing for Harvard University). Coach organized a practice that had everyone feeling good, at ease and relaxed. Don't get me wrong; it's not like we weren't working hard out there; we most definitely were. It's just the nerves weren't present with the first time 4 Nations players (Vicki Bendus, Courtney Birchard, Christina Kessler and Tara Watchorn), or with any player at all!

Overall, it has been a GREAT beginning to our visit on the East Coast. Thank you, St. John's!

Signing off from The Rock!

Yours truly,
Tess

Twitter: @tessab25
Facebook: Tessa Bonhomme