The Montreal team of the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) does not yet have a name, but it has its first three players. Forwards Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, as well as goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens, were officially presented to the media Thursday morning.
The trio of players agreed to three-year deals for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Salary conditions will not be disclosed, in accordance with the request of the LPHF Players’ Association.
These signatures offer, in a way, a first idea of the identity of this new team led by general director Danièle Sauvageau.
“I cannot imagine a more exceptional group of athletes and women to represent Montreal,” Sauvageau said in a press release. We want to create an environment that promotes sporting and personal development, so that our athletes perform and fully flourish. These three players embody a winning spirit and are committed to a culture of success. Our team is excited to play in front of fans who have always shown unwavering support for the Montreal teams. »
Does Marie-Philip Poulin still need an introduction? The Quebecer, figurehead of women’s hockey in the country, has been one of the best players in the world for several years; his hiring by the Montreal team makes perfect sense.
Wherever she went throughout her career, the Beauceronne dominated. Everyone will remember, among other things, his two goals in the final of the Vancouver Olympic Games; Canada won 2-0 ahead of the United States.
Over the years, Poulin led the Canadian team to three Olympic gold medals and one silver medal. She is also the only hockey player in history to have scored in four consecutive Olympic finals.
His medal box also contains nine medals (two gold, six silver and one bronze) from the World Championships. The 32-year-old athlete has also been a player development consultant for the Montreal Canadiens for the past year.
Poulin, whose humility and accessibility have often been praised, has been the face of his sport for several years. Now she will be the face of the new Montreal team.
“This professional women’s league is the culmination of several years of work by key players in the hockey world,” Poulin mentioned in the press release. This is an important milestone that we have just reached, not only for the current generation of hockey players but for all those who aspire to join our professional league one day. We are lucky today to make a living playing hockey. I am proud of what we have accomplished and above all grateful to be part of the history of women’s hockey as a member of the Montreal team. This city vibrates to the rhythm of hockey. This is where I saw myself making my dream come true.”
Sauvageau has also secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers on the market in Ann-Renée Desbiens. La Presse also revealed on Monday that the Quebecer had received offers from four LPHF teams. She ultimately decided to stay at home.
Desbiens, 29, allowed just 9 goals on 150 shots in the last Olympics, maintaining a .940 save rate and 1.80 goals-against average.
As for Stacey, a 29-year-old from Ontario, she scored two goals and two assists in Beijing. The forward played for Dartmouth College, in NCAA Division 1, before making the national team in 2016-2017. Her link with Quebec is also obvious: Stacey is the partner of Marie-Philip Poulin.
Remember that the free agent market has been open since last Friday. Teams have ten days to agree with a maximum of three players.
The 23 players on each team will have to pocket an average sum of US$55,000, the equivalent of some CAN$75,000. A maximum of nine athletes will be able to earn the minimum salary of US$35,000 (just under CAN$48,000), and at least six players must pocket US$80,000 and above (some CAN$109,000).
A 15-round expansion draft will be held on September 18.
