Almost four weeks of training camp may seem like a long time to evaluate 31 players, 25 of whom will be selected.
However, when we remember that the team to be assembled will be made up of players from three countries, that the professionals come from two different leagues and that six athletes have barely left the university ranks, time suddenly becomes a luxury. And it doesn’t seem so abundant anymore.
Kori Cheverie is fully aware of the work that awaits her over the coming weeks. The head coach of the Montreal Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) team therefore arrives prepared almost to the extreme. With “plans A and B”, and probably others identified by the remaining 24 letters of the alphabet.
The LPHF team rosters were assembled at high speed. The announcement of the identity of the team leaders, the signing of free agents and the draft took place within a three-week window. A few additional athletes were invited to the camp. And here they are all gathered, since Wednesday morning, at the Verdun auditorium.
“There are certain players that we have never seen in person,” confirmed Kori Cheverie during a short interview with La Presse, on the sidelines of a press conference at the start of training camp.
“The more time we have, the better we can define training as precisely as possible,” she continued. The players come from different levels, so there will be an upgrade to do. »
We will therefore juggle between sessions with large or small groups, often at high intensity. Simulated matches will be inserted between training sessions. “We want to be as creative as possible,” added Cheverie. We want everything to be in place to be successful. »
The novelty effect is real for all players, without discrimination. Freshly graduated from Northeastern University, defender Maude Poulin-Labelle said she had “good stress” at the idea of ​​competing against players older than them. “I don’t really know where I’m going to fit into the team,” she said. I can not wait to see it. There will be competition, but that’s what makes a team better. »
“I’ve never experienced this before! », added Laura Stacey.
At 29, the two-time Olympic medalist has already gone through her fair share of challenging experiences during her career. “I’m excited! “, she said, Wednesday morning, in the middle of a dizzying flood of words.
“The puzzle to put together is not easy,” she warned. We can take our time, but there is a lot to do. »
Time, in short, there is… but not that much.
The word “culture” is very (very, very, very) fashionable in the sports world.
The Montreal LPHF team is no exception to the trend. The term is omnipresent in the discourse of players and management. And for good reason. It’s one thing to evaluate thirty female hockey players on the ice. It’s another thing to build a united team that will spend the season together.
“We want to create our identity,” confirms Kori Cheverie.
Laura Stacey, who made Montreal her adopted city, takes responsibility for welcoming her future teammates and establishing a mantra that is close to her heart, inspired by the national team, of which she is a part.
“Whether you’re just out of university or you’ve been playing for years, it doesn’t matter where you come from or where you are in training, you have to be yourself,” she sums up. Everyone in the locker room will be there for a reason. Every person should have the opportunity to be their best.
“If I can contribute anything, it’s this. I think I can make a positive impact; This is what I wanted when I signed [my contract] here. »
Her impact will of course go further, as this Ontario native will be one of the most prominent attackers on the team, if not the league.
Moreover, there is no secret on the management side: the Montreal team will be resolutely inclined towards attack. Among the players present at the training camp, we find three of the top five scorers from the last season of the Professional Women’s Players’ Association (PWHPA), and three of the top nine from the now defunct PHF.
Even in defense, whose squad will be led by veteran Erin Ambrose, we are counting on specialists in recovery and offensive support.
“We are very comfortable with our defensive squad, but scoring goals cannot be taught,” emphasizes Kori Cheverie. This is the identity we believe we have. That can of course change, but for the moment, yes, we think a lot about the offensive. »
We will add that counting on Marie-Philip Poulin as the main concession player is not a bad basis for scoring goals.