Owen Sound is an old-school, born-and-bred hockey town. The hockey royalty that flows from its heartland is well represented on Lord Stanley’s Cup; Kurt MacDermid, Andrew Shaw, Jordan Binnington, Jonah Gadjovich, Brad Richardson, and more – all of whom were either born here or grew up playing here for the OHL’s smallest and arguably loudest franchise, the Platers/Attack. You can’t turn a corner in this town without having hockey culture slap you square in the mouth.
There’s only one issue with that list of hometown heroes; it’s composed exclusively of men.
But here in the vibrant tapestry of our local arts scene, where the roar of the crowd at the Bayshore echoes with tales of grit and glory, there’s another kind of hometown hero making waves. Grey County’s very own Jenna McCoubrey Prestidge is taking the fight for literary female hockey representation to the biggest stage in the sport – inspiring young women and girls with her charming, and sorely needed, Rosie the Hockey Player children’s book series.
Prestidge has grounded her narratives in something deeply familiar to us here in Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe: the love of hockey, the spirit of teamwork, and the unwavering determination of a young athlete with a dream. The “Rosie” books aren’t just about slapshots and breakaways; they’re about resilience, friendship, and finding your place – both on and off the ice. “Writing is something I always wanted to do. Even going back to elementary school,” says Prestidge.
“I was always trying to write creatively and I still have the books that I wrote when I was a little kid. My mom kept them. And then, you know, different priorities took over and I got really into athletics. During my second maternity leave I remember talking to my husband, and saying ‘where do I start?’ because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Where do I start writing books? And he said, ‘why don’t you write some stories for the kids?’”
Fast forward to 2023, and Hockey Day in Canada was hosted in Owen Sound. The main day, hosted by hockey legend Ron MacLean, was broadcast across the nation, live from Harrison Park. The four-day festival with various hockey-related activities, including community events, on-ice clinics, appearances by NHL alumni, and the Stanley Cup itself.
“They held a women’s showcase day, so I went with my nieces, my parents, my oldest son, and I’m looking out in this arena. I’m looking at the talent. I’m looking at the fans – the girls all have their jerseys on, and they’re running to the ice. Literally. My niece just stood at the door for the whole game giving high fives to the players. That night, I got home – and we have an abundance of hockey books – I’m looking for one about girls because I wanted to show my three kids what we just saw – something about girls in hockey. And there’s one Robert Munsch book about girls playing hockey, and that’s it. That sort of sat with me. I just watched all these amazing women play hockey. Where are all the books? What are these girls reading?”
It took her about two or three days, and then she thought, “that’s it. I’m going to start writing.”
Rosie herself, a character so vividly drawn, so full of infectious enthusiasm, is based on Prestidge’s own hockey career (and named after her daughter) where she joined the first girls hockey team in Owen Sound in the mid-1990s, captained the inaugural Owen Sound Ice Hawks team back in the early 2000s, and later professionally with a team in Germany’s Women’s Ice Hockey Bundesliga (DFEL) league.
The authenticity that shines through on every page is infectious, lending a genuine warmth and relatability to Rosie’s adventures in both sports and life.
Whether she’s facing a tough opponent, learning a new skill, or navigating the ups and downs of team dynamics, Rosie’s experiences resonate with young readers who are likely facing similar challenges in their own lives.
But the beauty of the “Rosie” series lies not just in its hockey backdrop. Prestidge masterfully weaves in universal themes that extend far beyond the rink. The books explore the importance of perseverance in the face of setbacks, the strength found in true friendship, and the courage it takes to pursue your passions; regardless of societal expectations.
“With the boys, there’s such camaraderie, and there’s such a culture. They’re in the media, they see themselves on TV – girls haven’t had that… without hockey I wouldn’t be who I am today… There’s just so many great lessons that come with sport, and I think for girls, it’s really important, especially with the confidence side – to find their niche and discover what they’re capable of.”
Rosie is a powerful role model, subtly challenging stereotypes and inspiring young girls to embrace their love of sport without reservation. Jenna wrote an entire six-part series before sending manuscripts to publishers all over the continent. She received either a “no thanks” response, or no response at all – even with some acknowledging the void in the space.
“[Some knew there was] definitely a need for it, but no one was willing to put money behind it. It was 2023, before the movement of women’s sports. And also, I’m an unestablished author at that point, so why would they invest in me, right?”
Talking to Jenna, you immediately sense the passion that fuels her writing. She speaks with a genuine enthusiasm about her characters and the messages she hopes to impart on her readers. For her, “Rosie” is way more than just a series of books; it’s a chance to set a powerful example for her own daughter, aptly named Ellie-Rose. Rosie the Hockey Player is about showcasing the power of female voices, fostering a love of reading, encouraging active lifestyles, and instilling important values in young minds.
This commitment to her message has been recognized in a huge way, with the series recently lacing up its own game-changing partnerships. A momentous collaboration with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) saw the release of the seventh book, Rosie the Hockey Player: The History of Women’s Hockey, on International Women’s Day – a powerful acknowledgment from the pinnacle of women’s professional hockey that Rosie’s story is a vital part of the sport’s narrative.
The books also enjoy a new partnership with the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, with Prestidge writing book #8 about the first-ever female Keeper of the Stanley Cup, Miragh Bitove – a final seal of approval that cements the series as more than just a local sensation, but a true tribute to the history and future of the game.
For Prestidge, seeing Rosie gain this level of exposure is a dream realized, a validation that stories celebrating female athletes are not only needed but are being enthusiastically embraced by the broader hockey world. It’s a powerful sign that the landscape of the sport is changing for the better.
The recent leap forward that women’s professional level hockey has taken isn’t without profound hardship and struggle for a spot in the proverbial faceoff circle – but the inception of the PWHL in particular, has helped women’s hockey make some massive strides in terms of mainstream accessibility, popularity, and viewership since it kicked off in 2024. The fledgling league holds the world record for the highest attendance at a women’s hockey game when 21,105 fans watched Montréal face Toronto at the Bell Centre in la Belle Province. The PWHL’s YouTube channel is no slouch, either – reaching over 100,000 subscribers and more than 40 million views from 88 countries in its first season alone.
“With the boys, there’s such camaraderie, and there’s such a culture. They’re in the media, they see themselves on TV – girls haven’t had that… without hockey I wouldn’t be who I am today. It’s taught me so many lessons from the very first time I laced up my skates, and there were so many positives. There’s just so many great lessons that come with sport, and I think for girls, it’s really important, especially with the confidence side – to find their niche and discover what they’re capable of.”
What makes the “Rosie” books particularly special is their accessibility. The language is engaging, age-appropriate, and rink-jargon approved. The storylines are captivating and the unique and beautiful illustrations perfectly complement the text, bringing Rosie’s world to life.
“There are so many different things that I give little nods to in the books,” says Prestidge. “Different team names that my nieces have played for, or that I played for – we have ‘The Candy Cane Classic,’ which is our family tradition. Rosie wears the jersey based on the one I wore in Germany. There’s a Greys jersey in there because my dad was a GM of the Greys for quite a long time. I tried to show little things that are important to me and my family… Women’s hockey has been the most inclusive space I have ever been a part of. You could show up, and in whatever capacity that you are – just be authentically you and you are accepted there. I wish the world was more like that.”
In the grand tradition of Rrampt, we celebrate the artists and storytellers who enrich our community, and Jenna M. Prestidge, with her delightful Rosie saga, has certainly earned her place among them. Her stories are a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful tales are the simplest ones that hit closest to home, echoing the hopes and dreams that resonate within our own rinks and neighbourhoods.
The next time you’re browsing the shelves of your local bookstore, or looking for a meaningful gift for a young athlete in your life, pick up a Rosie the Hockey Player book. You’ll not only be supporting a talented local author but also introducing a child to a world of heartwarming stories, inspiring characters, and the enduring spirit of the game we hold so dear in these parts.
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You can find Rosie the Hockey Player books locally at Hometown Sports in Owen Sound, at Chapters, Coles and Indigo across Canada, online at rosiethehockeyplayer.com, and even at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Words and photos by Nelson Phillips
Rosie the Hockey Player illustrations by Emma Gauhl.
