Hockey!

When I asked the Fournier family what everyone's favourite sport was they all chose a winter sport—hockey. (Other than Mum; she replied with swimming. Boo!)

These days, John (aka Dad) is a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, although he was a fan of the Edmonton Oilers back in the Wayne Gretzky days. Not surprisingly, his favourite hockey player is #99. When I asked dad what his favourite jersey number was, he stated that it was 21 because “it was the number on my football jersey when I was in high school.” Dad’s favourite position on the ice is defence, but when he was younger he liked playing forward.

Heather (aka Mum) is a fan of the Vancouver Canucks as well, but like Dad her favourite team was the Edmonton Oilers back in the 1980s. Her favourite hockey players are Wayne Gretzky and Mason Raymond (because he was raised on a farm). Her favourite jersey number is 52, and when asked why she said, “I really like how the 5 and 2 are opposite of each other.” That’s a homeschooling mum at heart! Her favourite position on a hockey team is being a spectator. “I’m not good enough to play hockey, but if I did I’d probably be the puck!” she says with a chuckle.

Naomi (that’s me) is the oldest of the nine Fournier children. My favourite team is the Vancouver Canucks because they are British Columbia’s NHL team. My favourite hockey players are Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider, and Sidney Crosby. My favourite position on the ice is as a referee or linesman, and I love my black-and-white striped jersey! If I had to choose a number for my jersey it would be 21 (my age when I officiated my first hockey game), or 24 (my age when I officiated my first paid hockey game).

Peter is the best skater and hockey player in our family. His favourite team is the Pittsburgh Penguins “because Crosby is on that team. If he was playing with the Montreal Canadiens they would be my favourite team.” I guess it is not a surprise that Peter’s favourite hockey player is Sidney Crosby, and his favourite jersey number is 87. “Definitely 87, although I would choose 17 if 87 wasn’t available, because Kes wears it and I really like Kesler.” His favourite position on the ice is centre.

Anna is our family’s hockey encyclopedia. If you ask Anna a hockey question, she’ll almost always know the answer. Her favourite team is the Vancouver Canucks “of course!” She couldn’t choose a favourite hockey player, but I think that’s because her list of favourite Canucks is too big. Anna’s favourite jersey number is 18 because “that is the age I was when I started watching hockey.” Anna likes playing left defence.

Thomas is a Boston Bruins fan. His favourite hockey player is Patrice Bergeron, and his favourite jersey number is 16 or 37. “I like 16,” Thomas says, “and Bergeron has 37.” He likes playing any of the forward positions, but his favourite is centre followed by left wing.

Stephen's favourite teams are the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vancouver Canucks, and his favourite hockey player is Cam Ward. “My favourite jersey number is 30 because Cam Ward wears it and it’s a good number,” Stephen says when asked about what number he liked. His favourite position on the ice was being a goalie, but knee issues forced him to resign and now he plays right wing.

Miriam is a Vancouver Canucks fan, and like her older sister Anna, her favourite hockey player is every player on the Canucks. When asked about what number she would put on her jersey, her response was 17. “I’ve liked that number ever since Jari Kurri wore it, and now Kes wears it.” Her favourite position on the ice is defence.

Isaac is a Vancouver Canucks fan as well, and his favourite hockey player is Ryan Kesler. His favourite jersey number is 5. When asked what position he enjoys playing, Isaac replied with “I don’t know; probably whatever position I’m in.”

Matthew is a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. His favourite hockey players are Cory Schneider and Manny Malhotra. His favourite jersey number is 35, and he likes playing defence.

Rhoda is the youngest hockey fan in the Fournier family. Her favourite hockey team is the Vancouver Canucks, and her favourite players are Mason Raymond or Chris Higgins. “She adores both of them,” says her big sister Miriam. Big sister Anna says that “She started liking Higgins because I got mad at her for liking Raymond so much.” Rhoda's favourite jersey number is 2, and while she can't choose a favourite position on the ice she often acts as our fearless goalie, and does a pretty good job of it too!