Cathy Phillips


Cathy Phillips was a Canadian ice hockey player. She was a goaltender in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League.

Life

Cathy attended Burlington Central High School from 1974 to 1979 where she participated in both basketball and track and field. However, her primary interest in athletics was playing ice hockey and fastball for the local Burlington community teams.
She quickly rose through the ranks achieving many honours and M.V.P. awards along the way. Although she competed in two national fastball titles, her greatest accomplishments were as a goalie in ice hockey. Beginning in 1982, and for the next 7 years she would compete in the women's Canadian National Championships, earning 4 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
In 1987, and again in 1990, Cathy had the honour of goaltending the Canadian team to 2 World Championships, and was in goal for both final games victories. Two months following the last World Championship victory, Cathy was diagnosed with a brain tumor thus ending her playing career quite abruptly.
Cathy battled back from her illness and spent many years coaching at various levels throughout the world of international women's ice hockey. She continues to volunteer and speak at local, national, and international venues, all in the interest of spreading the popularity of women's hockey around the world. Cathy continues to play as a goalie at the recreational level today.

Playing career

Phillips was voted Top Goaltender 14 times during her years of play in the COWHL. She was also named Most Valuable Player twice. She played in 7 of the first 9 Canadian National Women's Ice Hockey Championship. In seven tournaments, she won 4 gold, 2 silver and one bronze medal.
At the inaugural National Championship in 1982, Phillips was the winning goaltender. Playing for Team Ontario, Ontario defeated Alberta in overtime. In 1987, Phillips represented Canada in the first World Tournament in 1987. She would also play for Canada at the first IIHF World Championship in 1990. At both tournaments, Canada won the gold with Phillips in net.

Coaching career

After she stopped playing, Phillips secured her Advanced Level coaching certification. In later years, she would serve as an Assistant Coach on the Ontario Women's Hockey Association's team at the Canada Winter Games.

Highlights