Fiona Smith-Bell found herself drawn to play hockey as a young girl growing up in Edam, Saskatchewan. Since girls’ hockey programs were nonexistent at the time, Bell simply played with the boys. Playing in North Battleford a few years later, she was not only playing with the boys, she was the team captain. By 1991, women’s hockey was gathering momentum. That year, Smith-Bell was named captain of the first-ever Saskatchewan women’s hockey team to compete at the Canada Winter Games. She would go on to compete in thirteen national championships. She was a part of two national medal-winning teams: a bronze with the Calgary Olympic Oval team in 1995, and gold with the Edmonton Chimos in 1997. Smith-Bell was also a member of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team from 1994 to 2002. During that time the team enjoyed many international victories, including three gold medals and one silver at the Three Nations Cup from 1996 to 1999, gold at the Pacific Rim Championships in 1995 and 1996, and gold at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships in 1997 and 1999. During that stretch, she was once nominated (in 1999) as Saskatchewan Female Athlete of the Year. The highlight of Smith-Bell’s career with Team Canada came in 1998. Women’s Hockey had been added as an event to the Winter Olympics for the first time. She was with the team as they battled their way to a silver medal. Smith-Bell retired from Team Canada in 2002, but continued to play hockey. In 2004-05, she spent a year with the Ottawa Raiders of the National Women’s Hockey League. In 2005-06, she came back to Saskatchewan to play one season with the Lumsden Prairie Ice of the Western Women’s Hockey League. As of 2012, she continues to play recreationally. Installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 16th, 2012.
Local Level
- Played minor hockey in Edam, Saskatchewan and North Battleford with boys until 13
- Captained boys team in North Battleford and affiliated with Peewee AA
Provincial Level
- Competed for Zone 7 in speed skating at 1986 Saskatchewan Games in Yorkton because women’s hockey was not an option
National Level
- Member & Captain of first Saskatchewan team which competed in the 1991 Canada Winter Games
- Played in 13 National Women’s Hockey Championships; 10 with Saskatchewan, 3 with Alberta; bronze medal 1995 with Calgary Oval and gold medal 1997 with Edmonton Chimos
International Level
- Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team won silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games 1998
- Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team were gold medalists at the 1997 &1999 Women’s World Hockey championships
- Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team were gold medalists at the Pacific Rim Championships 1995 & 1996
- Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team were gold medalists at the 3 Nations (now 4 Nations) Cup in 1996, 1998 & 1999 and silver medalists in 1997
Meritorious Awards
- North Battleford Sports Hall of Fame 2008
