On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Danièle Sauvageau, President of the Montreal Sports Council, was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Montreal. Deeply involved in numerous organizations and in the city, our president has been honored with the most prestigious title a Montrealer can receive.
Danièle Sauvageau, a pioneer in Montreal sports.
A true pioneer in sports, Danièle Sauvageau has been a fixture in arenas and sports facilities for over forty years. It was Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey in 2002 that cemented her reputation as the “coach of coaches” in the eyes of many. As a coach, she has been named Coach of the Year three times in Quebec and three times in Canada.
In various roles—including head coach, general manager, coaching consultant, and analyst—Danièle Sauvageau has participated in a total of six Olympic Games. She was also the only woman on the Canadian Sports Review Panel, which led to the creation of the organization À nous le podium.
Among her current positions are her role as executive director of the women’s hockey program for the Université de Montréal Carabins and as president and CEO of the 21.02 High-Performance Hockey Center in Montreal. Active on the board of directors of Excellence sportive de l’île de Montréal since its inception in 2011, she has served as chair of the board of directors of the Conseil du sport de Montréal since its founding.
His volunteer work with the Sports Council is primarily aimed at ensuring that Montreal is recognized locally and internationally as a leading sports hub, for the benefit of Montrealers and especially its youth.
Among the many honors that this graduate in social work and human resources from the University of Montreal has received over the past 25 years are the Order of Canada, the Cross of Merit, and induction into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame on two occasions. Locally, she has also just been awarded the title of “Grande Verdunoise” by the Verdun borough.
The Order of Montreal, an honorary award.
Every May 17, seventeen Montrealers are honored at the official ceremony of the Order of Montreal. This prestigious title is the City of Montreal’s highest honorary distinction.
Whether you’re a Montrealer at heart or by conviction, your commitment, actions, projects, and contributions to the City of Montreal can be recognized. This award is uniquely Montreal-based and pays tribute to people from all walks of life and backgrounds who, through their achievements, talents, and character, make Montreal a stronger and prouder city.
Applications are accepted between September and December. Recipients are recognized for one or more of these merits, regardless of their field of activity. Three distinctions are awarded to these multi-talented individuals: the rank of Commander, the rank of Officer, and the rank of Knight.
The Sports Council congratulates its president, Danièle Sauvageau, on this latest honor. It is a well-deserved award given all of Danièle’s contributions. She is the second president of ESIM—and the Montreal Sports Council—to receive the Order of Montreal, following Richard W. Pound.
