Angela James

Who is Angela James?

Angela James is a Canadian former ice hockey player who played at the highest levels of senior hockey between 1980 and 2000. She was a member of numerous teams in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League from its founding in 1980 until 1998 and finished her career in the National Women's Hockey League. She was named her league's most valuable player six times. James is also a certified referee in Canada, and a coach. She is currently the Senior Sports Coordinator at Seneca College in Toronto.

Internationally, James played in the first women's world championship, a 1987 tournament that was unsanctioned. She played with Team Canada in the first IIHF World Women's Championship in 1990, setting a scoring record of 11 goals and leading Canada to the gold medal. She played in three additional world championships, winning gold medals in 1992, 1994 and 1997. Controversially, she was left off the team for the first women's Olympic hockey tournament in 1998. She played her final international tournament in 1999.

Considered the first superstar of modern women's hockey, James has been honoured by numerous halls of fame.