Hockey runs in the Family

GRANADA – It’s obvious. If you mention ‘Canada’ and ‘Sport’, you automatically think ‘ice hockey’ and you presume every Canadian is born with skates and a hockey stick. Off course you know that’s not the case, but for some Canadians hockey really does run in the family. Take Elisabeth Mantha for instance. A strong defence player from Team Canada. Hockey seems to be the family business. “That’s right”, the French-Canadian said when being asked. “We’re four kids in the family and we all play hockey, our parents did and our grandfather also.”

Elisabeth Mantha in action at the WU in GranadaBut that’s rather a modest reply from the student-athlete of the University of Montreal. Indeed, her grandfather is André Pronovost, a former NHL star who began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1956 season. He also played with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars. Her granddad was a member of four (!) Stanley Cup winning teams in 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, and 1959-60. But the story gets even better … Her brother Anthony got picked by the Detroit Red Wings as the #20 overall draft pick in round 1 of the 2013 NHL draft. Like her brother, who wore the Canadian jersey at the Junior Worlds U18 and U20, now Elisabeth wears the leaf on her chest. “It’s very special for us to wear that sweater. Last year when my brother played a the Worlds in Sweden, we experienced it together as a family and now I’m playing for Canada here at the Universiade, it’s fantastic and I’m very proud doing so!” For Elisabeth it has been an unforgettable experience so far. “The people are very friendly here, the scenery is beautiful and it certainly is not as cold as in Montreal right now”, she chuckles.

Text & Photos: Christian Pierre, Press Officer