Last May, Ève Gascon ended her last season of men’s hockey in the best possible way: with a trophy at arm’s length. She maintained a save rate of .922 in 11 playoff games with the Patriotes du Cégep de Saint-Laurent, who were ultimately crowned champions.
Except that who says championship, says been shortened. Gascon only took a three-week break before returning to training. Struggling with a groin injury, she was unable to go at the desired pace. It hurt her when she showed up at Team Canada’s development camp in August.
“Actually, I messed up the physical tests a little bit, so camp got off to a really bad start,” she explains on the phone.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper was not invited to the national team’s main camp; Ontarian Hannah Murphy received this honor. For the Quebecer, this camp turned out to be a “wake up call”.
“I wouldn’t say I always had it easy, but I was always the first goalkeeper everywhere I went. So in my head, I was always first. I finished second at camp. In my camp review, they told me that my fitness was really an issue at the moment. That’s what I’m really trying to improve on. »
The least we can say is that it’s working so far. “I’ve lost ten pounds since I’ve been here because we work out all the time! she exclaims. It feels good, I see that there are results and that it can allow me to be in better shape. »
In addition to his physical form, Gascon also wants to have a good first season in the NCAA to receive a new invitation next year and try his luck again. To prove that she “wants.” That she “has [her] place there.”
So far, her statistics lead us to believe that she is on the right track…
Minnesota is 1,900 km from Montreal; Let’s say it’s a little further than the Saint-Laurent CEGEP. This is the first time Gascon has traveled this far to play hockey. There, she lives on campus, a five-minute walk from her classrooms – she is majoring in communications with a view to one day giving lectures for young people.
“At first it was harder because I missed my family. I’m used to seeing them often. Also, [there was] the English side and the hockey side; we didn’t have any games at the beginning, it took a long time for it to go away. »
Three months later, things are going like clockwork for the netminder, who kept goals for 8 of the Bulldogs’ 13 games. She has a record of 4 wins and 4 losses with a save percentage of .947. The team is currently in fourth place in its division.
“Right now I think I’m No. 1 against the big teams. I scored both games against Ohio State and the last two games against Minnesota. »
Gascon is still in the process of adapting, finding herself in a women’s team for the first time in her career. The sport is the same, but the game is different. “It’s fun to see another side of the game,” she suggests.
“I have a little more time [than with the boys], she explains. Girls who have good shots, I am able to stop them. […] At the same time, I have disadvantages. The game is completely different; Sometimes I’m not patient enough, I’m too aggressive. I’m still adjusting a bit, but it’s getting better and better. »
And what’s it like outside the ice rink?
“The conversations are different,” she notes. What I like is that it’s rare that you spend an evening alone at home. You’re with the girls all the time. Everyone lives close by. »
In other words, things are going well with her teammates, things are going well in hockey, and things are going well at school. So, if you were wondering how Ève Gascon is doing, you have your answer.
