Geraldine Heaney, Angela James and Cammie Granato made women's hockey history on Thursday.
The trio of pioneers became the first women players inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame, along with former superstar Mario Lemieux, Russian great Igor Larionov and the first French player ever to skate in the NHL, Philippe Bozon.
Long-time U.S. hockey boss Art Berglund, a native of Fort Francis, Ont., also entered as a builder, while former referee Juraj Okolicany of Slovakia earned the Paul Loicq Award for his contributions to the game.
It was especially moving for the three women, who helped grow their game from their first world championship in 1990 into the new century. It comes as the IIHF is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
"It's great because now we're finally being recognized not only in our own country but worldwide," added Heaney, 40, now coach of the women's team at the University of Waterloo. "There are so many young girls playing hockey now, it's amazing.
"I really feel we need to promote the game worldwide, not just in Canada, and inducting women now should help that."
Heaney, a defenceman, was on seven consecutive world championship teams in the 1990s, played in the first Olympics with women's hockey in 1998 in Nagano and won Olympic gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City.
A sob crept into her voice as she dedicated her induction to her sister Catherine at the ceremony at the IIHF men's world championship.
"She was a big hockey fan and a big supporter for me," said Heaney, whose sister died two weeks ago of cancer. "This is for you Cath."
Her sister, one year older, was there to see most of her career, which was why Heaney thought of her as she mounted the podium for her speech.
"She was planning to be here," she said. "It was great that this is here (in Canada), so I could get my parents here to get their minds off it.
"It still doesn't seem real. At things like this, she would always be here."
James, 43, was the first real star of women's hockey, scoring 22 goals in 20 games at the first four world championships, including 11 at the inaugural worlds in Ottawa. She is sports co-ordinator at Seneca College in Toronto.
"It's something that's started now, and from now on a lot more women will be inducted into the Hall of Fame," said James. "Its just a building step for the future of our sport.
"It's not female or male. It's hockey. It's our game."
Granato, a native of Downers Grove, Ill., was the top American player during her 15-year career and played on the first Olympic gold medal team in 1998. She holds women's hockey records with 54 goals and 96 points.
Granato, 37, who now lives and runs a business in Vancouver, was there for the start of international women's play and now breaks ground as one of the first Hall of Famers.
"The women's game is young and I think it was the right time," she said. "I was fortunate to be playing at the right time."
Later Thursday, Granato suited up for the IIHF alumni game, where she was to skate on a line with her brother, former NHL forward Tony Granato, and her husband, ex-NHL forward Ray Ferraro.
Since that first world championship, women's hockey has improved each year. Although it is still dominated by Canada and the United States, countries like Sweden and Russia are starting to knock on the door.
"People always say the other countries aren't catching up, but girls are improving all over the world," said Heaney. "Canada's getting better, so these other countries have to improve as well.
"At the first world championship, you'd watch some teams and some of their girls couldn't really skate. Now, everybody can play and it's about putting a team together."
That made their breakthrough of getting into the Hall of Fame even sweeter.
"Especially Angela James," added Heaney. "She never went to an Olympics and she's still recognized for what she did for the game.
"It's nice they haven't forgotten who put the game on the map for women."
Lemieux was unable to attend because the team he owns, the Pittsburgh Penguins, was playing Thursday night against Philadelphia. Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson accepted on his behalf.
It was also a bittersweet moment for Larionov, whose mother died recently in Moscow.
Larionov, 47, played 13 years for the Soviet Union, then played another 14 seasons in the NHL. He won two Olympic gold medals, four world championships and three Stanley Cups.