“She has an excellent understanding of the game. Since we were very young, I realized how much she had the sense of hockey. She understood how the game was played. She’s going to be great in that role. »
Posted at 7:29 p.m.
These words are those of Pier-Alexandre Poulin. Marie-Philip’s brother.
His sister was hired Tuesday as a player development consultant for the Montreal Canadiens. A position she will occupy part-time, while she concludes her playing career.
Joined at the end of the line, Pier-Alexandre Poulin says that his youngest “takes a lot of time to watch her own videos, to self-evaluate herself”.
photo patrice laroche, Le Soleil archives
Pier-Alexandre Poulin behind the Condors bench at Cégep Beauce-Appalaches
He knows it, because she often sends it to him to analyze it together. Pier-Alexandre is a coach with the Condors at Cégep Beauce-Appalaches.
“It’s one of the qualities she has. That’s why she continues to always push upwards. »
“She sees things that not everyone sees on the ice,” he continues.
In particular, it must reinvent itself when it faces opponents like its eternal American rivals, explains the 34-year-old man.
“When she plays against the United States, she doesn’t have a thumb. She needs to find a way to create inches and free space. These are all things that I think will help him in this role. Because she is used as a player to face similar challenges. »
“A different view”
Danielle Goyette believes that Marie-Philip Poulin “will bring something new”.
“Because we don’t always think the same, women and men,” says the director of player development at the Toronto Maple Leafs on the phone.
“She will bring a different vision for the players. »
Like her brother Pier-Alexandre, Danielle Goyette notes her attention to “little details”.
“She wants to be the best at everything she does. No matter which players she is going to work with, she is going to push them to their best and try to make small adjustments. »
Respect for what she has accomplished
For his part, Danièle Sauvageau welcomes the hiring of the Canadian.
“If there is one thing for which I wish to congratulate the Montreal Canadiens, it is to recognize the skills – which I call transversal – which make people forget that Marie-Philip Poulin is a woman, but a hockey player. »
At this level, the course of the quadruple Olympic medalist cannot sow any doubt in anyone. And his experience goes beyond his big goals and even bigger wins, according to Sauvageau.
“She made the Olympic team at the age of 17. She was exposed to several trainers. She has performed in several countries, in different circumstances. She had to recover from injury. She was named captain, then had to shoulder the fact that she was, until the last Olympics, the only captain who had not won with the Hockey Canada jersey. She was able to overcome all of that. »
“These are life and player experiences that very few players who currently play with the Rocket have had. At the limit, I could even say that some of the Canadiens players did not go through certain situations that she experienced. »
Pier-Alexandre Poulin agrees.
“Guys are going to respect her for what she’s accomplished in hockey. I’m not worried about her. I’ve seen guys in major junior take pictures with her in the past. She’s going to get the respect she needs. »
Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Marie-Philip Poulin comes from a female hockey background that is altogether different from male hockey. Less robust, the women’s style of play compensates with its speed. “No problem,” believes Pier-Alexandre.
“I think the adaptation will still go well. Both games are still very similar. In boys, it’s coming more and more based on speed, and speed of execution. »
Adjust to your rhythm
Danièle Sauvageau speaks of “good news”.
“It ensures that we continue to watch women who play professional sports. There is more recognition of the properties that one develops when working as a woman in a sporting world. »
Danielle Goyette adds that the fact that she is joining the Canadiens part-time will allow her to adjust to her rhythm.
“She’s going to learn a little bit more slowly instead of just suddenly coming in and starting to work directly with the players not knowing what to expect. »
“When she’s done playing hockey, I think that’s where she’s going to have an impact and know where she’s going. »