RENATA FAST
Position: Defence
Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
Birthdate: October 6, 1994
Club Team: Toronto Furies (CWHL)

Road to Centralization
2003-05: Burlington Barracudas (Atom BB)
2005-07: Burlington Barracudas (Peewee AA)
2007-09: Burlington Barracudas (Bantam AA)
2009-10: Burlington Barracudas (Midget B)
2010-12: Burlington Barracudas (PWHL)
2012-16: Clarkson University (NCAA)
2016-17: Toronto Furies (CWHL)

Team Canada Experience
International debut: August 21, 2014 vs. United States
Canada’s National Women’s Team (2015-17): 13GP 0G 1A 1P
Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2014-17): 17GP 2G 4A 6P

Olympic & World Championship Experience
2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 0G 0A 0P (silver medal)

Who has played the biggest role in getting you to centralization?
“My family. They have given me the environment I’ve needed to be successful since I was young. My parents and three siblings support me in everything I do and are most definitely my No. 1 cheerleaders. They are my backbone, and without them none of this would be possible.”

When did you decide you wanted to play for Team Canada?
“As long as I can remember, I always dreamed of playing for Team Canada. Growing up I was fortunate to play a ton of different sports, and just like most kids I would imagine myself competing on the international stage. My imagination saw me representing Canada as a runner, snowboarder, volleyball player, soccer player, hockey player; it pretty much changed every day. I had this inner drive to one day be an elite athlete, but I hadn’t decided which sport I would pursue. It wasn’t until the end of high school that I decided that hockey would be the sport I would focus on, and hopefully reach my goal of representing my country. From that day forward I was set on a mission to be the best hockey player I could possibly be.”

What is the most important thing hockey has given you?
“Hockey has given me a lot, but most importantly it has provided me with countless life-skills that have helped shape the person I am today. Hockey has taught me how to fail and come back stronger, how to be a team player, and a leader. It has also taught me time management, mental toughness, the value of hard work, and so many more important skills that I will carry with me through the rest of my life.”