Angela James
Recognized as “the first superstar of modern women’s hockey,” James is celebrated for bringing the women’s game into the mainstream.
Angela Diane James, OC was born December 22, 1964 in Toronto, Ontario. She is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played at the highest levels of senior hockey
between 1980 and 2000. She was a member of numerous teams in the Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League (COWHL) from its founding in 1980 until 1998 and finished her career in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL).
She was named her league’s Most Valuable Player six times. James is also a certified referee in Canada, and a coach. James has been called “the first superstar of modern women’s hockey”, and has been hailed as a pioneer who brought the women’s game into the mainstream.
Longtime women’s hockey administrator – Fran Rider – stated that James brought credibility, without which the women’s game would never have gained recognition as an Olympic sport.
On February 26, 2021, James was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada by Hockey Canada, in recognition of her career and contributions to the game in Canada. James was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) in the 2022 Canadian honours.