IQALUIT - Bonnie Etuangat was once the only female hockey player on her team in Pangnirtung, and has had to share a dressing room with the boys in the past.

Bonnie Etuangat, 22, stands rinkside at the Arnaitok Arena in Iqaluit, one of the venues of the Nunavut Stars Summer Hockey Camp. She is a counsellor at the camp for a second year. She also participated as a player when she was 16. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

"I started playing hockey with the boys. I still play with the guys," she said.

The 22-year-old, who just finished her heavy equipment training for loaders and haul trucks, is now in her second year as a counsellor at the Nunavut Stars Summer Hockey Camp in Iqaluit.

"When I used to be at camp, there wasn't a women's dressing room. So, I usually just stayed in the boys' dressing room, in the same dressing room, even though I'm the only girl. But this year, they have their own dressing room."

It's her job to ensure everyone is present and participating in the activities, while keeping them in good spirits. She also helps with the coaching. She has participated three times in the camp, first as a 16-year-old player. She then attended as a counsellor two years ago before returning this year. The camp was not held last year.

She said the camp is great for fostering teamwork.

"It gets better each and every year because I'm getting more experience now," she said.

Etuangat tells the girls playing hockey at the camp not to be shy. She was the only girl herself at the camp for two years.

Etuangat's interest in hockey started when she was 10.

"When I first saw it on the TV, I was really into it and then, I started seeing other people playing street hockey and I would join them and just play with the guys," she said.

She asked her parents for hockey equipment so she could play, and participated in three Arctic Winter Games in 2004, 2006 and 2008.