Strengthening a Community – Nathalie Rivard

Known for being a police officer, Nathalie Rivard is also a lifelong hockey player that’s played for some impressive teams, including Team Canada’s International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship women’s team, helping them bring home gold in 1992, 1999, and 2000.

Women’s hockey has been documented to exist in Orillia for nearly a century. This photograph of the Orillia Water and Light Women’s Hockey Team was taken in 1925.

Nathalie has been on the ice most of her life and went onto play professionally from 1991 to 2000 for the Toronto Aeros, the North York Aeros, and the Mississauga Chiefs of the Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League (later the National Women’s Hockey League).

In Orillia, Nathalie has been a vocal advocate for girls in hockey, and a coach in the Orillia Girls Hockey Association.

Nathalie Rivard – Enjoying Orillia (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

When she’s not on the ice, Nathalie has dedicated her career to helping the community as a member of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Nathalie Rivard – Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

Nathalie joined the OPP in 1995 and has found a natural transition from hockey to policing. Over time, she’s learned that being a hockey player has given her the ability to rely on a team, which was essential to being a successful officer of the law. This makes it easy for Nathalie to trade one uniform in for another.

Nathalie Rivard – Change in Orillia (captions available in both FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (En).

As a growing family, it’s a perfect place.
Not too big and it’s not too small.