Angela James has made the ultimate cut. In November, James and American hockey icon Cammi Granato, will be the first women ever inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. While the news elicited jock banter from a few critics with their garters in a twist about women “stealing” spots from NHLers, the Hockey Hall of Fame committee finally set the record right. (The same number of men can be inducted annually, but the eligibility rules have been adjusted to make the Hall more inclusive to women).

Born in Toronto in 1964, Angela James has always had a knack for getting into trouble – code for testing the world. She grew up playing ball hockey with boys in Flemingdon Park, one of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods. At the time, most girls didn’t play rough-and-tumble games like hockey and black kids weren’t exactly encouraged in hockey either. Even then, she snagged all the top prizes.

Throughout her career, James defined and defied hockey in Canada, serving as a role model to many aspiring female players in the 80s and 90s, including me. No player was as dominant and thrilling to watch as “A. J.” A stand-out scorer  – and big hitter! – James had the moves, and the attitude to match. A medalist at 12 national championships, she earned MVP honours at 8 of them. Later in her career, she joined the NWHL (now CWHL), again setting the bar for play until her retirement. She was one of the few women of her time who, after getting dressed after games, would come out to sign autographs, all aglow, clearly on top of the world.

It’s rare in hockey, a pretty orthodox sport, but James had the allure of great star athletes – like Usain Bolt and Martina Navratilova – who swagger. An underdog who rose to the top, her tough-gal bravado on the ice is complimented by a killer smile, twinkly eyes and desire to give back to the people and communities that nurtured her talents.

James graciously spoke to HDIC.ca by phone on June 25.

HDIC You’re the first woman to crash Canada’s ultimate old boys club! What does this moment mean for you, and why is this moment important for women’s hockey?

Angela James The type of reaction I’m receiving from all over the place, men and women, is that they’re ecstatic for hockey in general. They aren’t looking at it in terms of gender. They see it as something new/different being brought to the Hockey Hall of Fame. You’ve got to give the Hall credit, [they are] recognizing two women hockey players as one of their own.

HDIC Despite the amazing strides we’ve seen in the skill level across the board in the international game, criticism continues, especially at the Vancouver Olympics, about the dominance of Canada and the USA. What needs to happen for women’s hockey to grow internationally?

AJ The other countries have to get better, without a doubt. But resources matter. Women need the resources in order to develop. Look at the amounts Team Canada and Team USA spend on their program next to other countries. We’re fortunate in Canada and the USA that our countries emphasize their female hockey programs and develop girls. I think it’s just appalling that the Canadian women have to justify how good they are. They put so much work into it – it’s their whole lives, now they have to defend why there are too good!

HDIC What do you notice about how has hockey changed since you played in the 70s, 80s and 90s?

AJ The girls are bigger and stronger. The shots are inevitably harder, the passes faster. The skating is much better. The opportunities are there for girls/women and [at the National level] they are on the ice every day. [As a result], they are only going to get better. Today, women are getting [strong] coaching, and the game is elevated. I’d like to see a little more hitting…

HDIC Most people don’t know there was hitting in women’s hockey… and that you could throw a mean hit!

AJ I played body checking my whole life. At the first World Championships for women there was still hitting. It hasn’t been out of the female game that long. They didn’t take it out until after the 90s – in 1994. It was different back then. I used to get the snot kicked out of me! You’re a Montrealer right? Talk to France St-Louis – the Montreal women will tell you about hitting! We used to hit!

HDIC Why do you like hitting?

AJ I just like hitting in the game. It’s a different game between hitting and non-hitting. You finish your checks, you’re not getting lazy. I understand why its not in [the female game], because women don’t make a salary and aren’t paid to play. It’s not like the NHL. If we get injured, there’s no injury list where you still collect a living! We have to get up the next day, and go to work.

HDIC At the Olympics our Canadian women players were made to feel ashamed for smoking cigars while celebrating after the game. Hilariously, at the CWHL Clarkson Cup Championships last year, I saw women in the stands with cigars! Will the evolution of women’s hockey always involve this endless-seeming fight for resources/recognition/legitimacy?

AJ Well, I’m lucky and fortunate. There were players before me that were outstanding, but back when I played, there was no benchmark. I was able to go and create a benchmark for our game. Today, you’ve got a lot of great hockey players out there. Now, the Hayley’s and Jayna’s are creating the benchmarks. Some of the new young kids will set the next bars. The pressure is on them to achieve new levels. It will only get better as more skilled players enter the scene.

HDIC You grew up raised by a single mom in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Toronto – Flemingdon park. How did upbringing shape you?

AJ Throughout my whole career, I had to justify why girls need to play hockey. All along it’ s been about selling your game, rather than just playing it. Or people not appreciating the game for what it is. Sometimes that was frustrating. Now, the challenge is just getting to the rink, because I have kids!

HDIC Last June, North York Community Council voted to rename the Flemingdon Park Arena in your honour, in recognition of your accomplishments. In your acceptance speech, (which is captured on YouTube in shaky-cam by the way!) you got unexpectedly choked up… what did this ceremony mean to you?

AJ That ceremony was very special to me, because I grew up [in the neighbourhood] and that’s who I am. That’s who we are, where we are from. This was the first award that felt like a family award, and they were all there to share it with me. [I'd also] played in that arena, pleasure skated in that [spot]. I was up on that arena roof 150 thousand times, getting the balls, or just being bad!

HDIC So, did hockey keep you out of trouble, or in trouble?!

AJ I still got in trouble! I was never innocent! [laughing]

HDIC What made your success in hockey?

AJ FUN! I used to go out when I was little and play on the outdoor rinks. As I continued, I played girls’ hockey with friends. I gained leadership skills through sport, which helped with my work. Now they feed off each other. If you coach, I think you coach how you manage. Those skills translate in the office and in the rink.

HDIC You’re a volunteer coach for a youth team now. How do you approach this role?

AJ For the past 2 years I’ve been volunteer coaching five times a week. I like to work with young little boys, because I have one. I [started because I] didn’t like what I was seeing when he was getting into hockey. I didn’t see any coaching or development, so I thought I’d better put up or shut up. My two little ones are starting in the Tim Bits program now – they are 4.

HDIC One of the biggest controversies – nay scandals – in women’s hockey occurred when you were left off the first ever Olympic team going to Nagano, in 1998. What happened?

AJ I don’t know why it happened, I still don’t know today. At the time of being released it was that I was a “defensive liability.” That’s what they said, and that’s what I took. I’ve moved on. I had a great era of wearing the Team Canada jersey and playing the game I loved. I concentrated on what good I got out of it and do the same with my kids now. I say: “you’ve told me all the reasons why you can’t do something, now tell me why you can.” I have to practice what I preach!  That’s what I’ve done, I’ve moved forward. It’s funny, but from that point on, I played a few more years in the CWHL and it’s been nothing but great things for me. I guess it was God’s way.

HDIC Do you have a best hockey moment?

AJ It’s hard to pinpoint one moment. There’ve been so many special times and stories. I’d have to say that first national champs in Brantford, Ontario where Gretzky was. That was very special to me. Our first World Champs was special too, in Ottawa in 1990. It was the first time we’d played for our country. TV [crews were] there! We were like wow, what is this?! And we just got to go play hockey, which was the neatest thing.

HDIC What do you think of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s efforts to professionalize the women’s game?

AJ They are trying now to put in place a solid program where they can take it to the NHL and say this is where we’re at. Women are trying to take the game to another level. I’d love to be involved somehow, maybe coach. With 3 kids running around it’s hard, but fortunately I do absolutely nothing and my partner does everything! I’ve smartened up over the years, and I have a very strong partner, otherwise I couldn’t do it all!

HDIC Would you like to be involved with the CWHL in a coaching capacity?

A.J. Sure. Maybe I should submit an application!

HDIC Enjoy the Hall of Fame ceremony and thanks for being HDIC.ca’s first interview Angela!

Angela James is the senior sports co-ordinator at Seneca College and currently co-authoring an autobiography. We’ll keep you posted!