| Toronto Lady Blues women's ice hockey | ||
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| University | University of Toronto | |
| Conference | OUA | |
| Head coach | ||
| year, 0–0–0 | ||
| Arena | Varsity Arena Capacity: |
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| Location | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Colors | Blue and White
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The Varsity Blues women's ice hockey team represent the University of Toronto and compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference.
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On December 12, 1922, the Lady Blues joined the Ladies Ontario Hockey Association and paid dues of eleven dollars (six dollars association fee, five dollars one time fee). [1]The Lady Blues were the LOHA Provincial Champions in 1924.[2] In 1925, the Lady Blues withdrew from the LOHA, and the reason was certain unsatisfactory aspects of competition.[3] There were issues as to the acceptable definition of womanhood.
In 1993, (although the Lady Blues won 13 of the last 15 provincial championships), a task force recommended that the University of Toronto cut the team for financial reasons.[4] Justine Blainey, a member of the team, organized a "Save the Team" night that raised over $8,000. She personally called 100 alumni during a one-week fundraising blitz. Blainey had previously earned national recognition as she endured five different court cases before finally having her case heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1986 because the Metro Toronto Hockey League denied her the opportunity to play hockey for them in 1981.[5]
During the 2000-01 regular season, the Lady Blues accumulated an undefeated record with 22 wins and no losses or ties. They outscored all opponents by a 114-14 margin. In the OUA playoffs, the Lady Blues defeated Toronto rival York University by a 4-1 mark and shut out Laurier 5-0 to win the OUA championship.
Heading into the 2001 National Championships, the Lady Blues were seeded Number 1 overall. The Lady Blues first game was a 12-1 whitewash of the host school Calgary Dinos. In the semifinal, the Lady Blues would proceed to eliminate the McGill Martlets by a 4-1 tally. The championship game was a closer affair, with the Lady Blues besting the Regina Cougars in a 4-3 triumph. It was the Lady Blues first national championship in CIS women’s hockey. Of note, the Varsity Blues managed to defeat every other top team in the nation that season. The teams that were defeated included Regina, Concordia, Alberta, McGill and Saskatchewan, as the Lady Blues finished with an overall win loss record of 35-0-0.[6]
OWIAA league rules indicated that the first five-minute overtime session in a playoff game must be played in its entirety (as a regular period). It was advised that the game would continue after Hefford's goal. York University (known as the Yeowomen at the time) tied the game with 1:47 left in the first overtime. Sari Krooks broke in on the right wing and scored on Keely Brown.
A second overtime period began and this overtime period was classified as sudden death. York skater Shanley White took advantage of a Lady Blues clearing error. She scored on the error and York prevailed by a 3-2 mark in double overtime to claim the OWIAA gold medal. The Lady Blues loss ended the Blues' undefeated season, and gave York its first championship in 10 years.
The two played a scoreless opening period, but the Lady Blues scored ten seconds into the second period when Hefford passed to linemate Laura Schuler, and beat goalie Debra Ferguson. York tied the game 26 seconds into the third period which led into overtime. Despite winning the silver medal, the Lady Blues ended its regular season with a 13-0-2 record. In the semifinal, the Lady Blues defeated the Guelph Gryphons by a 4-1 tally. In that game, Laura Schuler had a hat trick, while Hefford added three assists. [7]
| Player | Position | School | Event | Result |
| Lesley Reddon[10] | Goaltender | University of Toronto | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Lori Dupuis | Forward | University of Toronto | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Lori Dupuis | Forward | University of Toronto | 2002 Winter Olympics | Gold |
| Jayna Hefford | Forward | University of Toronto | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Jayna Hefford | Forward | University of Toronto | 2002 Winter Olympics | Gold |
| Jayna Hefford | Forward | University of Toronto | 2006 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Jayna Hefford | Forward | University of Toronto | 2010 Winter Olympics | Gold |
| Laura Schuler | Forward | University of Toronto | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Vicky Sunohara | Forward | University of Toronto | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver |
| Vicky Sunohara | Forward | University of Toronto | 2002 Winter Olympics | Gold |
| Vicky Sunohara | Forward | University of Toronto | 2006 Winter Olympics | Gold |
The Marion Hilliard Award is named in honour of former Toronto Lady Blues player Marion Hilliard. She played with the Lady Blues from 1922-27 and was a leading member of 6 championship teams. She was President of the University Hockey Club and was a member of the University of Toronto women’s Athletic Directorate for four years. The award is presented to reward excellence among a female ice hockey player from the CIS. The recipient exhibits outstanding achievement in three areas: hockey, academics and community involvement.
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2011 | Andie Switalski[11] | Mount Allison Mounties |
| 2010 | Kaitlyn McNutt[12] | Dalhousie |
| 2009 | Danika Smith | Ottawa Gee-Gees |
| 2008 | Shauna Denis[13] | McGill Martlets |
| 2007 | Taryn Barry[14] | Alberta Pandas |
| 2006 | Leah Kutcher | Dalhousie |
| 2005 | Sue McCutcheon | Toronto Lady Blues |
| 2004 | Janna Gillis | Concordia Stingers women's ice hockey |
| 2003 | Jenny McRae | Toronto |
| 2002 | Lauren Houghton | Concordia |
| 2001 | Virginie Bilodeau | UQTR |
| 2000 | Karina Verdon | Ottawa |
| 1999 | Bridget Bates | Toronto |
| 1998 | Karen Kendall | Concordia |
The following were selected in the 2010 CWHL Draft.[15]
| Player | Position | Team | Selection |
| Mary Modeste | Forward | Toronto | #39 |
| Heather Logan-Sprerger | Forward | Brampton Thunder | #71 |