Women's Hockey 3/25/2021 2:26:00 PM Zachary McRae

SHIFTING FOCUS: Spotlight on Martlets hockey head coach Alyssa Cecere

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SHIFTING FOCUS: Spotlight on McGill women's hockey coach Alyssa Cecere

How you know her: Alyssa Cecere is the Martlets interim hockey head coach, taking over the role from Peter Smith in 2020. Previously, she served as a full-time associate coach with the Martlets beginning in 2014. Prior to her coaching career, Cecere skated for five seasons with McGill, earning a physical education degree in 2011. As a left-winger, she led the Martlets for three years as an alternate captain, scoring 43 goals and 110 points with 118 penalty minutes in 178 games overall. In 2009, Cecere played for a Canadian university all-star squad that won gold at the FISU Winter Games in Harbin, China.

What has been your best moment during your coaching career?

"U SPORTS national championships are always special, it's what you work towards the entire year, so those two are at the very top of my list. Also, for me, being able to share similar experiences that I had as a Martlet with my athletes is so important. I've walked the same halls, worn the same jersey, skated on the same ice, so that relatability to what they're going through helps build meaningful relationships. Seeing them grow and develop as people, students and athletes is very rewarding."

Prior to becoming a coach, what was your best sports memory?

"Winning both league and national championships are unforgettable memories, each one in their own special way. Representing Canada at the FISU Winter Games stands out for me as well. There aren't very many people who get to represent their country, I'll never forget putting on the Canadian jersey. And the day-to-day things you do as a team, whether it be bus trips, time in the locker room, team dinners, a lot of the people I played with are my best friends to this day. You're together all the time during such an important part of your life, and those connections stay with you."

If you could have any professional sports coaching position, which job and team would you choose?

"I'd be coaching in a sustainable professional women's hockey league, one similar to the WNBA where the players make enough to dedicate full attention to their sport. The NWHL exists, but it's a league that's not there yet – hopefully it's coming in the near future."

Who was your favourite pro-athlete growing up?

"I had three - in the NHL, it was Steve Yzerman. I love the way he played incredibly hard on both ends of the ice, and he was clearly such a great leader. On the women's side, watching the 1998 Olympics, Cassie Campbell and France St-Louis were my two favourite players on Team Canada. Again, both of them had such complete games, competing every second on both ends of the ice, and with great leadership styles. You tend to pick players who have a similar style to your own, and I try to emulate those three when I'm on the ice."

What are you most looking forward to as things begin to re-open in the coming months?

"100% the return of in-person, face-to-face interaction. Of course, over this time we've all become used to Zoom, over the phone, all these different ways of communicating, but I can't wait to actually be working in person again - I also feel it's just more effective."

SOURCE:
Zachary McRae
Communications Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
514.616.5573 (Tel.)
www.mcgill athletics.ca
zachary.mcrae@mcgill.ca

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SHIFTING FOCUS: Spotlight on Martlets hockey head coach Alyssa Cecere