Danièle Sauvageau
Former Canadian Olympic Hockey Coach
Head Coach of The First Canadian Olympic Hockey Team to Win Gold in 50 Years, Danièle Sauvageau has done undercover narcotics work for the Montreal Urban Police, busted a squad car full of drug dealers, and even ordered a forced entry and rescue of a double agent whose life was in jeopardy. Sauvageau, the first female Saturday Night Hockey TV analyst, also juggles her career as a Montreal Urban Police Sergeant. Audiences across the country are fascinated and inspired by her experiences, and learn from her accomplishments.
Danièle Sauvageau's passion, instinct and leadership were instrumental in the historic win by the Canadian women's hockey team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. As general manager and coach, she transformed a fear of losing into an absolute desire for victory, a radical turnaround that enabled her players to achieve their Olympic dream.
Sauvageau has taken part in six Olympic Games, as women's hockey coach, general manager and coaching consultant. She played a key role in her team's wins in seven consecutive world championships, and in the silver medal they won at the Nagano Olympics. Sauvageau was the spokesperson for the Coaching Association of Canada and a member of the Coaches of Canada, as well as serving on the board of directors for Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics bid.
Drawing on her expertise in human resources management, coaching, leadership, situation assessment, communication and the formation of winning teams, Sauvageau speaks on various topics related to performance. In 2003, Sauvageau began to offer her services as an executive coaching consultant. She has supported and assisted numerous public and private sector clients in building a new vision and managing change in order to gain a competitive edge.
Sauvageau is a well-known figure in the media and is often asked to comment on developments in hockey and elite sports in general. Over the course of her career, there have been a number of reports about her on Canadian networks such as CBC, Radio-Canada, TSN and the NBC network in the US, as well as many articles in Canadian and American publications. She is also the co-author of The Golden Tears, the Journey to the Olympics.
For 24 years, Sauvageau has served with the RCMP and Montreal's police department, including the narcotics division. She is currently works as advisor to the strategic development department.
With her dedication, involvement in developing her sport and her winning record, Sauvageau has become the undisputed guru of women's hockey in Canada.
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3. Commitment
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2. Coaching
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1. Leadership and Teamwork
Daniéle Sauvageau did a marvellous job of holding her team together and winning the one game that mattered. She shares with her audience the challenges her team faced on their journey to Gold in Salt Lake City. Daniéle discusses how she stayed grounded during a four-year period of incredible highs and lows and, how she was able to lead her players to go beyond their limits.
"I took many risky decisions that at times were unpopular by my peers, but I followed my strongest beliefs and took a chance!"
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November 2002A Golden Tear: Danièle Sauvageau's Journey to Olympic Gold
