Despite all the attachment she may have had for the late Canadians of Montreal, Marie-Philip Poulin has been filled, for several days, with a feeling that she had never experienced before.
At 32, the woman who is considered the best player in the world has signed a contract that makes her, for the first time in her career, a full-fledged professional player.
The Canadian League, which abruptly ceased operations in 2019, treated its players well. But these earned, at best, a few thousand dollars.
The new Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF), which will launch its first season next January, is elsewhere: decent salaries, housing allowances, insurance, maternity leave, support staff… Suddenly, the notion of professionalism is no longer just a letter in an acronym.
The center player is one, with attacker Laura Stacey and goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens, of the first members of the new Montreal franchise. The trio was presented to Montreal journalists at the Verdun Auditorium on Thursday.
When the Canadian League announced its dissolution, without notice, in the spring of 2019, the players agreed to step aside. Despite an offer at the time to create new teams in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL, which later became the Premier Hockey Federation), the conditions offered were not up to their standards. expectations. They therefore created an association and worked, patiently, on a new business model.
Here is the LPHF which, with solid financial foundations, could ensure that this time is the right one. Well, the good one, rather.
“We knew what we wanted,” confirms Marie-Philip Poulin. We put all the pieces of the puzzle together. »
The players are aware that nothing is perfect and that the model in place will evolve. The current version, however, “makes us feel like professionals,” says Ann-Renée Desbiens.
“It’s a lot of little things that will help in the long run and allow us to focus on hockey,” she adds, referring to those who will no longer need to have an additional job to make ends meet.
Since last Friday, the six teams in the league could hire up to three free agents. The leaders will complete their rosters through a 15-round draft on September 18.
By bringing together Poulin, Desbiens and Laura Stacey, general director Danièle Sauvageau hit nothing more and nothing less than a home run. She had four names in mind, she revealed, but Montreal’s position in the draft in the first round (sixth place) encouraged her to bet on this trio.
Poulin and Desbiens, who need no introduction, received other offers, but choosing Montreal was natural and did not require long reflection, they explained. As for Stacey, less known to the Montreal public, she is established in the metropolis and has been training there for several years. Originally from the Toronto area, she received a call from the Queen City franchise, but preferred to stay at her new home.
A double Olympic medalist and double world champion, this power forward was mainly used on a third line in the national team, in the shadow of great offensive stars. Her shot, size and speed should, however, make her an impact player in the new league. “He’s someone you want to have on your team! summarized Ann-Renée Desbiens. Over the past few years, I have been able to observe his exceptional progress. It’s going to be fascinating to watch her go. »
Like her teammates, Stacey, who speaks French, spoke of a dream come true.
Above all, she is delighted that women’s hockey is becoming “visible in the public eye” again.
The last few years have indeed been marked by a division within this sport, which created a certain confusion among amateurs. The Montreal Force, in the now defunct PHF, rallied supporters, but as the Olympians shunned this league, its notoriety necessarily suffered.
“The fans are there,” Stacey recalled. We see it every time Canada and the United States compete, because the arenas are full. But otherwise they didn’t know where to go. This new league is the best thing that could have happened. We want to create a winning culture and, with good visibility, the fans will be there. »
There is still much to accomplish in the coming months. The identity of the head coach should be revealed soon. We will also know sooner or later the name and colors of the club.
Waiting until January “is a really long time,” agreed Ann-Renée Desbiens.
The arrival of September generally rhymes with the return to the arena. However, it will still take a little patience, recognizes the goalkeeper. “There is still some progress to be made before we are ready. »
In the short term, she will go to the Hockey Canada selection camp next week. But it is nevertheless the new league which, more than ever, is in his sights.
“We’ve practiced enough. We want to play matches and represent Montreal. »
