BREE'S STORY | Dskate Toronto 2024

DSKATE TORONTO 2024 - JULY 29 - AUGUST 2, 2024 @ CAA CENTRE IN BRAMPTON, ONTARIO

FEATURED PLAYER

Breanne Wilson-Bennett

LATE TO THE GAME

When the Colgate Raiders were knocked out of the 2nd round of the ECAC tournament in Breanne's sophomore year, it turned out to be the best possible thing.

Let's explain;

Throughout the season, Breanne found herself dropping weight, feeling lethargic and falling behind her University teammates. Chalking it up to the fatigue of a heavy schedule; games, practices, classes and life as a University student, she found herself grinding through to the end of the year.

And so, when the Raiders found themselves on the short-end of the stick, bounced out of the ECAC - on Breanne's birthday no less, she grabbed her gear and trekked home to her family.

It was upon arrival that Breanne's mother noticed things were off.

Notably the 30 pounds of weight lost, but her daughter just wasn't herself. Following mother's intuition, the sophomore from Colgate found herself in an Ontario hospital awaiting what would ultimately lead to a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.

FIGHT. NEVER FLIGHT.

THAT LIFE CHANGING MOMENT

The moment all parents and T1Ds dread, that moment of diagnosis, hit home like a ton of bricks for Breanne and her family.

The fear of the unknown. Not knowing anyone else living with Type 1 Diabetes, and the onset of "what next"?

Inevitably, like all hockey players when confronted with diagnosis, the first question is always "can I still play"? And, by now, we should all know that answer is a resounding yes...

In stark contrast to many T1Ds who face diagnosis at a younger age, Breanne, being a sophomore at Colgate University, was at a stage in her life where she was independent and confident in herself and so the challenge of living life with Type 1 was met head on, just like every other obstacle overcome along her path to success.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY CHANCE YOU EARN

Adjusting to life as a T1D midway through University and your college hockey career is a rather daunting task. Building a new rhythm and routine to managing your life changes when it also includes managing your blood sugars, what you eat and how and when you exercise.

For a University athlete, though, this only helped Breanne learn more about herself and her abilities. Adjustments had to be made, but eventually she found herself at the top of her game.

Incorporating the latest tech to help her manage her Diabetes, #11 for the Colgate Raiders used it all to her advantage, notching a point per game (41 pts. in her 41 gp.) in her senior year and catching the attention of the premiere club in Sweden; MODO.

Not one to shy away from an opportunity she earned, Breanne spent a year with Modo, posting a stunning 20 points in 21 games played.

DON'T LET ANYTHING STAND IN YOUR WAY

REVEL IN BEING A ROLE MODEL

From MODO to the SIX, Breanne brough her game home to become a member of the Toronto Six for 3 seasons (and 2 iterations of the women's league prior to the announcement of the new PWHL).

"Lean on the people that are around you. It's ok to not be ok and to ask for help. It's gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life!"

Not afraid to take her own advice, Breanne relishes in support from her loved ones and it powers her ability to set a positive example for young T1Ds around the world. And it's that energy which helped her bring the Isobel Cup to Toronto, playing a key role in helping the Six win the PHF championship in 2022-23.

"It's your support system and the people around that you love and care about that are going to get you through things at the end of the day."

With a Cup in her back pocket, Breanne has now set her sights on furthering her ability to support as she assumes her new role as Assistant Coach of the Colgate Raiders women's team.

Growing the game, supporting Type 1 hockey players and giving back are just some of the many reasons why Dskate is excited to launch our first-ever ALL-GIRLS program at our Dskate Toronto 2024 program.

With a Dskate program dedicated to, and run by, female T1D hockey players, we are thrilled to help support girls hockey and the next generation of female T1D hockey players!

OUR PROVEN PROGRAM MODEL

Dskate Pillars

Dskate is built upon four fundamental pillars of success designed to achieve a greater quality-of-life for athletes and their families living with diabetes;

Confidence