Béatrice Bilodeau: More Than Just A Captain
Crisis responder. Medical mentor. Community volunteer. Béatrice Bilodeau's life away from hockey is what earned her the 2025-26 Marion Hilliard Award.
Béatrice Bilodeau finishes her shifts in the classroom as a medical student, and then, in whatever time is left, she shows up for other people.
That pattern is a big part of why the University of Ottawa Gee Gees captain was named the 2025-26 recipient of the Marion Hilliard Award, which recognizes excellence across hockey, academics, and community involvement.
My full conversation with University of Ottawa Gee Gees captain Béatrice Bilodeau is available now on YouTube.
Since 2022, Béatrice has served as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone. While it is demanding work, she has maintained it alongside everything else on her plate, serving as yet another reminder of the impact she has both on and off the ice.
Her medical studies have opened other doors, too. In 2024, she became a mentor with the Rural Outreach and Mentorship Initiative, working one-on-one with high school students in rural communities who are considering a career in medicine. And in that same year, she also joined medical teams at Festival Sportif and the Triathlon St-Noel, and has been volunteering at CHSLD Ernest-Brisson in Gatineau, spending time with seniors in the long-term care program. Her dedication to the community is truly remarkable and reflects who Béatrice is.
As if she weren’t busy enough, Béatrice has supported the Gee Gees alum leadership program within Fillactive, which helps to bring together nearly 15,000 girls ages 12 to 17 to discover new physical activities. And for the past three summers, she has returned home to volunteer at the Festival of Sports, an event built around getting people moving and engaged in their communities.
Béatrice Bilodeau prides herself on how she shows up for her teammates, as both a captain and as a peer. She also knows how important it is to show up for her community, wherever and whenever that may be. An award like the Marion Hilliard Award does not go to someone who simply fills out a volunteer form once and moves on. Béatrice is proof of that. She has built something consistent and intentional alongside a strong hockey career.
While we didn’t get a chance to discuss it in our conversation, that story and Béatrice’s impact are worth celebrating and recognizing.
My full conversation with University of Ottawa Gee Gees captain Béatrice Bilodeau is available now on YouTube.