![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.4822761.1582326806!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
PWHL Ottawa's Brianne Jenner brings girls' hockey camp to the capital
After a breakthrough inaugural season, PWHL Ottawa team captain Brianne Jenner is bringing new opportunities to the city's young female hockey players.
Jenner launched her girls' hockey academy this week in Ottawa; an annual hockey camp allowing girls between the ages of seven and 16 to get on the ice with Ottawa's top female hockey stars.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"I think that's a big piece of the draw for our camp is that we've got a whole staff of female coaches, all playing at the pro or NCAA level," said Jenner.
Being held at the Jim Durrell Arena, 125 girls signed up for the week-long camp, eager to learn from their idols.
"She teaches us about lifting sticks, edges, skating, and shooting," said 12-year-old Hannah Thompson.
But beyond the skills required to play the game, Jenner's hockey camp offers representation for young girls in a sport that has historically been male dominated.
"If you can see it, you can believe it, you can be it," said PWHL defenceman Zoe Boyd, one of the camp's guest coaches.
"I was always in boys camps with my brother and I never got to look up to Brianne Jenners or other professional female hockey players."
"It's really cool to be able to just be in the same room as them and being taught by them," said Thompson.
The PWHL wrapped up a successful first season earlier this year, drawing average crowd sizes of over 5,000 fans per game, and accumulating nearly 400,000 in-game fans in total.
It is a new reality that has allowed young girls in hockey to pursue dreams they may not have thought possible.
"I really am aiming for PWHL, PWHL Ottawa to be exact. I'd love to get drafted, but it's a lot of hard work and dedication to be able to get there," Thompson said.
"I think that's the really exciting thing about the PWHL," adds Jenner.
"They have that example that they can follow and that they can dream about playing in that league."
Jenner's hockey camp wraps up Friday, but registration for the Ottawa Girls Hockey Association's upcoming season is now open.
"I think that these girls, they get to see that; hey, I can be Brianne Jenner one day," says Boyd.
"I can play for Ottawa and it's really special."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6438416.1686613604!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.
DEVELOPING 3 in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., police in standoff with suspect
Police in Kingston, Ont. say a standoff is underway between officers and a suspect following a triple stabbing Thursday morning.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake rattles the Los Angeles area
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake rattled the Los Angeles area Thursday morning, unleashing boulders onto a Malibu road, visibly shaking Santa Monica's 1909 wooden pier and jolting some people from bed. No injuries or damages were immediately reported.
BREAKING 3 dead in Lloydminster, Sask., few details available
Three people are dead after an "incident" in Lloydminster, RCMP have confirmed.
Consul general to New York says he had 'no role whatsoever' in purchase of $9M NYC condo
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
Air Canada pushing for government intervention as clock ticks on labour talks
Air Canada is asking the federal government to be ready to intervene in its labour talks with its pilots as time is running out before a potential shutdown.
Realtor fined by B.C. regulator after property photos digitally altered
A British Columbia Realtor has been fined thousands of dollars after a property listing was found to contain photos that were digitally altered to hide peeling paint and show furnishings that did not exist.
Man charged after multiple child sex dolls seized from home: Winnipeg police
A Winnipeg man has been charged with multiple offences after sex dolls designed to look like children were seized from his home.