Ann-Renée Desbiens Bio
Ann-Renée Desbiens (born April 10, 1994) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Montreal Victoire and a member of the Canada women’s national ice hockey team. She has competed at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship, the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, and the 2022 Winter Olympics. As a trailblazer in women’s hockey, she was the first female player drafted to the Quebec Junior AAA League and has made significant contributions to both college and professional teams throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Ann-Renée Desbiens was born in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in a family that supported hockey, she was introduced to the sport at an early age. Her passion for the game led her to pursue opportunities in competitive hockey, despite facing challenges as a female player in a predominantly male sport. Desbiens’ early exposure to hockey included participation in local leagues and training camps, which helped her develop her skills as a goaltender.
Path to Hockey
Desbiens made history as the first female player drafted to the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, although she faced setbacks early in her career. After being selected by the Loups de La Tuque, she was cut from the team before playing a game. This did not deter her; she continued to pursue her dream and participated in the Shawinigan Cataractes training camp. Her determination paid off when she made a playoff appearance for the Montréal Stars of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in 2012, contributing to the team’s victory in the Clarkson Cup.
Ann-Renée Desbiens Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
In 2013, Ann-Renée Desbiens began her collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, where she played for the Wisconsin Badgers women’s ice hockey program. Over four years, she led the team to four Frozen Four appearances and achieved remarkable individual success, including a record-setting 99 wins in 122 games. During her senior year, she broke the NCAA career shutout record, previously held by Noora Räty, with her 44th shutout. This achievement earned her the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, recognizing her as the top female college ice hockey player in the United States.
Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Ann-Renée Desbiens’ breakthrough came when she was selected to represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she helped the team secure a silver medal. Following the Olympics, she took a brief hiatus from hockey but returned to the sport in 2019 by joining the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). In the 2019–20 season, she played for the Fond du Lac Bears in the Great Lakes Hockey League and participated in the women’s ice hockey showcase at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, where she made 15 saves.
Notable Works and Milestones
Desbiens has been instrumental in promoting women’s hockey through her participation in various international competitions. She has won silver medals at both the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship and the 2018 Winter Olympics, solidifying her status as a key player on the national team.
Ann-Renée Desbiens Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Ann-Renée Desbiens has received several nominations for her outstanding performances and contributions to women’s hockey.
Ann-Renée Desbiens Awards Won
Ann-Renée Desbiens has achieved significant recognition in her career, including winning the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top female college ice hockey player in the United States.
Ann-Renée Desbiens Family
Information regarding Ann-Renée Desbiens’ family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Ann-Renée Desbiens holds a master’s degree in accounting. She has cited NHL goaltender Patrick Roy as a role model, reflecting her family’s support for the Quebec Nordiques and later the Colorado Avalanche.