Melody Davidson
Hockey Builder - Inducted 2008
Melody Davidson was born in Coronation, Alberta. She grew up in Oyen, and it was there that she started officiating and coaching the game of hockey in Alberta. Since then, she has influenced many of the grassroots programs used by Hockey Alberta today and has become an important and influential coach, leader, administrator, and icon of women’s hockey in Canada and around the world.
Melody started coaching in 1978, for her brother’s hockey team, and entered into women’s hockey in 1989. She was a member, coach, and mentor with Team Alberta for 1991, 1995, and 1999 Canada Winter Games. As a coach, she has won 5 gold medals and 2 silver medals in World Championships. She has coached men’s hockey and has been an assistant coach in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Melody was an assistant coach when the Canadian women’s hockey team won the gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. She was the head coach when the women won gold at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games. “It was a proud satisfying moment…we worked so hard towards this moment”.
Melody has been able to participate and watch the evolution and development of women’s hockey. “Today there are more teams, more information and more opportunities for women” than when she first got started in the game. “Players have to commit in terms of off-ice development. They have to recognize it’s not just about what they do on the ice; it’s about the type of person they are and how hard they work. They should be playing for all the right reasons and that they have fun.”
Melody Davidson has shown her passion, determination, and mentorship – she is a true leader and champion for women’s hockey.
After Induction
Timeline:
2002 – Salt Lake City Olympic Games – Assistant Coach – Canadian Ladies Hockey Team – Gold medal
2006 – Torino Olympic Games – Head coach - Canadian Women’s Hockey Team – gold medal
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - CAAWS - one of the most influential women in Sport
2009 - Clearview Award of Merit
2010 - Vancouver Olympic Games – Head coach - Canadian Women’s Hockey Team - gold medal
2010 - Distinguished Alumni Award - University of Alberta
2010 - Jack Donohue Award "Coach of the Year" recipient at the Coaches of Canada Sport Leadership Awards. (Also won the award in 2005, 2006, 2007)
2010 - Stepped down as the National Team Head Coach to become the team's head scout.
2011 - Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame inductee
2017 - Hockey Alberta Hall of Fame inductee
