Janice Labossiere paves way for women in the game production world

You probably won't ever see Janice Labossiere at a Winnipeg Jets game. Don't mistake that for meaning that she isn't passionate about the team or that she doesn't like hockey. In fact, you'll probably find very few people who watch the team as closely as her.
Instead of sitting in the stands, you'll find her tucked away in a dark room laden with screens and buttons known as the control room of Bell MTS Place's press box, watching multiple angles of what is happening on the ice.
Labossiere has been a member of the True North production team since the days of the original Manitoba Moose and now works for both the Jets and Moose, either rolling replays or directing the scoreboard broadcast.
"I like to be behind the scenes," said Labossiere. "Being part of a team is also really important to me. I realized that early on in my career - I wanted to be in the control room instead of in front of the camera."

It's a role that Labossiere set her eyes on early in her childhood, even if she wasn't aware of it at the time.
"I'm a huge hockey fan and was a huge Jets fan growing up," said Labossiere. "I was devastated when they left. I've always been a sports fan, so I would watch any type of sports broadcast as a kid. Growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere there would always be different sports on TV, whether that was downhill skiing or curling or hockey, so I've always loved the idea of the combination of sports and television production."
Labossiere considers herself fortunate to have gotten involved in the game production world early on in her career. Back in 1999, she had her first opportunity to be a camera operator on the Moose gameday crew as a Creative Communications student at Red River College.
Since Labossiere had never had the opportunity to play organized hockey growing up, she came in and was ready to prove just how knowledgeable and passionate she was about the game.
"Hockey knowledge isn't just for those who play the game," she noted. "I skated on a tonne of outdoor rinks, but I never played organized hockey because I grew up in a town that didn't have organized girls' hockey at that point. A guy who didn't play hockey wouldn't be doubted in his hockey knowledge, whereas with a female, that gets questioned, even if they did play high level hockey. I feel like that has to change now that so many girls are involved in the sport at all levels."

As a replay operator and video director, it's simply not an option to lack hockey knowledge. Labossiere has to be able to see a play and quickly determine how to retell the story through what is shown on the screen. It becomes very obvious when you hear her talk about developing those replays for the fans that her understanding of the game is as good as anyone's - while watching six or more angles at the same time.
"On a goal, you want to show the two assists, but if there is a massive turnover, how are you telling that story with your first angle? Then how are you supplementing that story with the best angles of the other pieces of the play? And, I need to cue this all up in under 10 seconds, because everyone's looking up to the big screen to see what just happened."
Kyle Balharry, Senior Director of Game Production for True North Sports + Entertainment, will be the first person to tell you about Labossiere's vast hockey knowledge and passion, and he's been an eyewitness to how valuable she has become for both the Jets and Moose production crews.
"Janice was a trailblazer 20 years ago, showing everyone that anyone with the right skill and passion can work on a sports broadcast," said Balharry. "She's taken on multiple roles with our production team, showing just how versatile and skilled she is. She knows what to look for in a hockey game and doesn't miss it. She's on the ball and always drives for greatness.
"Being the director for an AHL game is a challenging task, and she is fantastic at it," Balharry continued. "For the Jets, not only does she serve as our second director when needed, but she is one of the best replay operators in all of hockey. She has a great eye for the game, and she works fast - striving to deliver the best possible moments."
Making sure that young women are aware of the ways that they can be involved in hockey on or off the ice, such as in video replay, is important too.
"There are so many ways to work in sports. It doesn't necessarily have to be in front of the camera, it doesn't have to be as a front office staff member," said Labossiere. "I was very fortunate to find a niche that worked for me. Depending on what your interests are and what your strengths are, there are many ways to have a great career in professional sports.
"Women need opportunities, and more importantly, repetitions. Like any sport or musical instrument, many roles can't be learned through watching; you have to do them over and over again to get really good at them."
Perhaps most significant is the ability to show young girls and women that what they can dream of doing is possible through role models who are already paving the way in those positions.
"Having a female director or replay operator in the room - someone who has to have hockey knowledge and the respect of the crew - I hope that helps others who are interested in working in this kind of a role. I hope I can help along the way. It's so much fun to get to work for your favourite hockey team."