First woman in the 80+ hockey hall-of-fame

By Susan Jacques

Can you believe that there are more than 450 active members, throughout Canada, of the 80+ Canada Hockey Hall of Fame (HHoF)? Nicolas Matossian, a Knowlton resident, was inducted in 2022 and serves on the Board of HHoF as the Quebec representative.

Matossian has just scored again with his nomination of the first-ever woman to the 80+ Canada Hockey Hall of Fame. Ginette Hatin of La Prairie become the first woman to be inducted into this prestigious club and recently played her first game as a member.

The Discovery of a Trailblazer

Three years ago, Matossian found himself playing in an Old Timers game (65+) and one of the players was of diminutive size but fast as lightening. At the after-game handshake, he realized the player was a lady. He politely asked her age. When she replied “78”, Nicolas said to her: “If in two years you are still skating like you are, I will nominate you as the first woman hockey player in Canada (and likely in the World) to be inducted into the Canada 80+HHoF.

The Origins of the 80+ HHoF

The 80+ Canada Hockey Hall of Fame was started 11 years ago by Moe Marchand and a small group of players who thought that those still playing at 80 years of age should be recognized for their long-time commitment to the sport and for their contribution to the continued development of adult hockey in the Community.

Canada vs. USA: A Friendly Rivalry

Matoussian recently played in a HHoF Canada/USA 80+ tournament in Burlington Ontario and the good news was that, in spite of the USA bringing some very good players, they didn’t win a single game.