(Toronto) It took a little patience, but seven Quebecers were ultimately drafted by three clubs in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF).
Élizabeth Giguère was the first native of La Belle Province to hear her name. She will continue her career in New York. Jade Downie-Landry and Alexandra Labelle, former members of the Montreal Force, will follow him there. General manager Pascal Daoust knows the last two particularly well, whom he encountered when he was an assistant coach on the Quebec university circuit.
Giguère had never met her new CEO, but she is delighted at the idea of beginning this chapter of her career. After playing in Boston, in the PHF, last season, she had just moved to Montreal to play with the Force. However, the league was bought and dissolved to create the LPHF. She will therefore have to leave for the United States.
The Quebec native approaches the idea of a second move in a few months with philosophy. Even if “it’s a bit tough for morale”, she and her friend were prepared for this eventuality.
“We can’t wait to find our place and stay there, but my job involves moving. It’s part of the game of being a professional. And I’m very comfortable with that! », added Giguère with a laugh.
Having barely returned home after finishing their NCAA university careers, Gabrielle David and Maude Poulin-Labelle were also ready to pack their bags again. However, they will be able to do without it and start looking for an apartment in Montreal.
The two were in fact selected in the ninth and tenth rounds, respectively, by the metropolitan team. “I was ready to go anywhere, but Montreal definitely had a bigger place in my heart,” confessed Gabrielle David. After four years at Clarkson University in New York State, the road will be a little shorter for her parents, based in Drummondville, to be able to see her play.
She will also have the opportunity to reconnect with Marie-Philip Poulin and Ann-Renée Desbiens, among others, whom she met at the recent Canadian team selection camp, her first with the senior club. “They’re not just the best players in the world, they’re also good people outside of hockey,” said the forward. They will take care of me, for sure, and push me at the same time. »
David and Poulin-Labelle are among around thirty players who, for the first time, will go directly from university to a major professional league.
“For a long time, I was preparing to go play in Sweden,” added Maude Poulin-Labelle. So to find yourself in such a beautiful and professional draft is pretty incredible. It was the girls before us who paved this. I consider myself lucky. »
The creation of the league itself excites him, that goes without saying. But also what it will involve on a daily basis.
An offensive defender like her will have the chance to begin her professional career “under the wing” – the expression is hers – of Erin Ambrose, quarterback of the national team.
“I will be able to practice with her every day,” said the talkative Sherbrooke native.
“That’s what’s going to be exceptional. Play with her for real, not just for a week and a half in training camp. I know I will learn much faster since she is here. This is how we will be able to develop. »
Formerly of the Canadiennes and the Force, Ann-Sophie Bettez completed the trio of Quebec selections from Montreal, which thus counts on a strong contingent with the already acquired presence of Poulin and Desbiens in the training.
Audrey-Ann Veillette, of the Carabins de l’Université de Montréal, was the penultimate player selected in Monday’s draft. One of the best players on the Canadian circuit last year, the forward will join the Ottawa team.