Hitmen’s Vilgrain blends pro hockey experience with storytelling ability in ever-evolving role

Calgary, Alta.- Call it the 2002 effect.

Cassandra Vilgrain may have grown up with her father, former NHL forward Claude Vilgrain, playing in the pro ranks, but it was the 2002 Canadian Olympic women’s hockey team’s gold-medal winning performance that had her determined to pick up the game herself.

Her on-ice prowess powered her to a three-season stint at the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the University of British Columbia, where she’d form some of her most defining hockey memories and score a golden goal of her own.

“Winning the Canada West championship in my first year in U SPORTS with the University of British Columbia was a highlight for me because I’d always been on decent hockey teams, but I’ve never been on that championship-driven team,” Vilgrain explained.

The forward scored the Canada West championship-clinching goal and tallied again at the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship to help the Thunderbirds claim a national bronze medal.

“I was overwhelmed with emotion,” she recalled. “Especially in Canada West when we won that game because my journey to end up at UBC I feel was so long and there was a bit of struggle there. To come into a program of amazing people and amazing staff and to win with them collectively was just a very overwhelming but exciting experience.”

But at that point, Vilgrain didn’t think hockey would play a role in her post-playing career.

Instead, she focused on political science and international relations before moving to Sweden to play with Brynas IF in the SDHL for the 2018-19 season.

She sent her resume to the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation on a whim and got the call.

Now in her third season as the Calgary Hitmen Communications Coordinator, Vilgrain has looked for new ways to grow the role.

“It’s awesome to be able to be a part of this league’s development of young players and get to see the successes that they have, whether it’s going pro in the NHL or getting their education paid for and pursuing that avenue,” Vilgrain said. “I miss being in it and being on the ice and playing the game, but there’s just a unique perspective of being on the other side and I feel like I’ve learned way more about the game on this side than I did when I was actually playing.

I’m doing social media, I’m doing communications, I mentioned content, things like that. But also the coaching staff has, amazingly, let me go on the ice every once in a while and observe and learn. Our GM (Garry Davidson) and our VP (Mike Moore) pull me in the room and I get a big understanding of their vision and where the team is going. It’s just really exciting to be able to be in the position I am and have the opportunities that I do.

“I feel very confident in my role and to be able to speak up and give my opinions- and I know that’s not the same experience for everybody, especially being a woman in this industry. So I feel very lucky for that.”

Vilgrain also uses her platform as an advocate.

She’s teamed up with her father- the first NHL player born in Haiti and the second Black player to skate for Canada in the Winter Olympics (Calgary ’88)- to promote the NHL’s Black Hockey History Tour and champion diversity and equity in sports at the highest level.

“We never really had these deep conversations about diversity and inclusion,” Vilgrain added. “I’d heard stories about him about the struggles that he’s faced, but actually to talk about it as adults and to experience these things together, the reason that I’m here and doing what I’m doing is because he persevered and his humility. So I learned a lot from him and now to be able to share them and tell our stories collectively, I think is, is the most rewarding experience.

Vilgrain points to the rise of superstar Sarah Nurse, the Professional Women’s Hockey League and programs like Black Girl Hockey Club (BGHC), which provides scholarships to help offset the costs associated with playing hockey, as prominent steps forward.

She even got to interview a local BGHC recipient, Neveah Maddigan, in 2023.

"It's very important that we show diversity and inclusion in hockey.@CassVilgrain hit the ice with @BlackGirlHockey scholarship recipient Nevaeh ❤️ pic.twitter.com/da246M8QxP

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 28, 2023

They’re all big wins that collectively help smooth a path forward for more women in a variety of roles surrounding the game.

“There’s space for you,” Vilgrain said. “I didn’t realize how many women were already working in sport. I think we talk a lot about how there’s all these barriers that need to be overcome. But I think if you just work hard, and you’re knowledgeable and this is something that you’re passionate about, then there is space for you and you belong here and you’re gonna find somewhere where you can get your foot in the door. It’s just all about work ethic and I think that’s what it comes down to. if you work hard, anything’s possible for you.”