By Mark Staffieri
As the Ottawa Gee-Gees build their program in the hopes of becoming nationally prominent, one of the building blocks in that resurgence is Valerie Watson. The 5’ 8” blueliner is a second-year skater that has all the makings of a future captain for the Gee-Gees.
Her first season with Ottawa U was a season to remember. Along with beating the McGill Martlets in a postseason contest, Watson was the recipient of numerous accolades. In addition to being named to the RSEQ First All-Star Team and All-Rookie Teams, she found herself named to the CIS All-Rookie Team.
“It was not my goal at first as I did not aim for those,” Watson says. “After an amazing season, getting those was an A-Plus!”
Approaching her game with great acumen, Watson is eager to carry the momentum of that remarkable rookie campaign into a sensational sophomore year.
After a 4-3 win versus cross-town rival Carleton University, Watson noted, “To win was really good. In the second period, we were down but we displayed character, and never gave up.”
Despite the Gee-Gees undergoing a 2-6 start, Watson is still optimistic about the remainder of the season.
“The chemistry is there, and we are starting to grow,” she adds. “I believe the team is getting better and better.”
Recruited by head coach Yanick Evola, Watson chose Ottawa as she liked the bilingual atmosphere of the campus.
While Watson is a key member of the Gee-Gees blueline, she looks at her role as a leader with remarkable maturity.
“Although I bring some leadership on the team, you do not need a letter on your jersey to be a leader,” she notes. “It is all about hard work. The girls look at you and want to do the same thing.”
In looking to finish the season on a strong note, and advance past the first round of the RSEQ Playoffs, Watson understands what it will take to win.
“We need to win our battles and work hard as a team, so that we can keep going really good into playoff time,” she says. “We must work with heart and give everything.”