WATERLOO, Ont. - When Laurier alum Jenna McCoubrey Prestidge (BA '07) first laced up her hockey skates at age nine, she had no idea she was beginning a journey that would one day inspire a new generation of young athletes.

"My dad was a big hockey guy, and my brothers both played," Prestidge recalled. "One day, when I was nine, he mentioned a girls' team, and I literally hung up my figure skates and never looked back."

Growing up in Owen Sound, Ontario, Prestidge quickly became a standout athlete.

She became the captain of the first girls' hockey team in town, and by 15, she had not only made a name for herself in hockey but had also discovered lacrosse—a sport that, in her words, "just made sense."

"Lacrosse was a natural progression—the hand-eye coordination, the speed, the team dynamics. It complemented hockey perfectly," she said.

Her athletic talents eventually led her to Laurier, where she initially hoped to be a dual-sport athlete. But during tryouts, her heart pulled her in one direction.

"I went to the first lacrosse tryout and loved the atmosphere," Prestidge said. "Our team ended up having a perfect season. We won four consecutive OUA championships."

Playing for the purple and gold from that 2003 season through the 2006 campaign, she was twice named an OUA second-team all-star in her career. She credits her personal and the program's success to the team's extraordinary chemistry. 

"We worked incredibly hard and truly loved each other—on and off the field. When you have that kind of connection, success naturally follows."

After graduation, Prestidge even took her talents overseas, playing hockey in Germany. But it wasn't until years later, after becoming a mother, that she found her most impactful calling.

While attending "Hockey Day in Canada" celebrations in Owen Sound, Prestidge noticed the electric excitement among young girls in the crowd; girls collecting autographs and proudly showing their love for the game. That moment lit a spark.

"I went home and realized out of the 20 hockey books we owned, only one had a female lead character," she recalled. "And even that one leaned into stereotypes; worried about helmet hair and spin moves."

Determined to show her daughter, Ellie Rose, that girls belong in hockey, Prestidge began writing the "Rosie the Hockey Player" series.

"I wanted to capture the real behind-the-scenes parts of hockey—the superstitions, the team dynamics, the positive coaching. Things only someone who's played would understand."

What began as a passion project quickly grew into a nationwide movement. The seven-part series has resonated with families across Canada, inspiring countless young girls to pick up a stick.

One particularly moving moment came when a young reader wrote to her school librarian, requesting that Rosie's books be added to the collection.

"When I got that first message, I cried," Prestidge said. "I've had amazing moments in sports but making a difference for the next generation—that's something truly special."

The series recently reached a major milestone with a partnership with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The seventh book, released on International Women's Day, explores Rosie's grandmother's hockey journey, spotlighting the dramatic evolution of women's sports.

"Seeing the PWHL launch was emotional," Prestidge said. "I thought about all the women who came before us. Those who changed in janitors' closets or hid their identities just to play. Now, the sky's the limit for young girls."

While Rosie champions girls in hockey, Prestidge emphasizes that the books are meant for everyone.

"It's so important that boys read these stories too," she said. "Hockey has been wrapped in masculine energy for so long, and we need to shift that narrative."

For Prestidge, representation isn't just about gender. It's about creating a more inclusive sports culture overall. "The next generation of boys will grow up in a world where professional women's sports are normal," she said. "A hockey player is a hockey player—regardless of gender."

Through vibrant storytelling, authentic hockey experiences, and diverse characters, Prestidge isn't just writing books—she's helping reshape how young people see sports, teamwork, and equality.

And Rosie's journey is far from over. 

"I have a list on my phone of story ideas," as she revealed that work is already underway for the next installment with hopes to explore Rosie trying a new sport.

"I'd love for Rosie to play another sport. Lacrosse could be a natural fit," she said. "But I'm the kind of writer who sticks to what I know. I want what I write to come from real experience."

Looking forward, as women's sports continue to gain momentum, one thing is clear: Jenna M. Prestidge—and Rosie—are proving that representation matters, one page at a time.