When we ask the members of the Montreal team of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) what the expectations are for this season, some seem embarrassed to talk about championships. Not Marie-Philip Poulin.
“What we want is a trophy,” she declared after a practice earlier this week, at the edge of the ice at the Verdun Auditorium. We want to create a winning culture. We know that in Montreal, expectations are high. We want to do well from the first years. »
The captain of the Canadian national team wants Montreal to become a must for young players who will join the new professional women’s circuit in the coming years.
“We want players who arrive from university teams to want to come and play in Montreal, to know that it’s a winning franchise. We have high expectations, each of us. This is how we will improve each game. »
Ontario striker Laura Stacey, also a regular on the podium on the international scene, agreed.
“We all have high expectations and all want to win. I think everyone wants to play the very last match (of the campaign) in this locker room,” she said, referring to the championship.
Stacey admits, however, that to think about major honors in a few months, you will first have to create good daily habits.
“We also need to focus on what’s happening here and now, on what we can do to improve every day. We are a new team. We haven’t played together yet. We are still learning how to be on the ice. We have to learn to be the tightest group possible, on and off the ice. The sooner we can do this, the better. »
Goalkeeper Marlène Boissonnault had a very clear vision of what this inaugural season will be like.
“We’re going to be hard to beat!” “, she said bluntly.
More nuanced direction
Is it wisdom or prudence? One thing is clear, the Montreal management was more nuanced than its players.
“The first expectation is to progress,” said the general director of the Montreal club Danièle Sauvageau. But before progressing, before the first training, we told ourselves that we had all the chemistry to develop in this team. What kind of team do we want to be? What type of game do we want to recommend? »
“I think expectations will fluctuate throughout the season,” added head coach Kori Cheverie. We are moving from a somewhat exploratory phase (at the start of camp) to arrive at the season, where the competition will be fiercer. Expectations will therefore need to be adjusted accordingly. »
“There are teams in the league whose players are more used to playing together,” continued Sauvageau, referring to the composition of the six LPHF clubs. We know each other better after the three games (preparatory games played in Utica, New York). Now we know more where we want to go.
“It’s clear that generally speaking, in a six-team league, we aim for the playoffs. Afterwards, it’s like the NHL: once you’re in the playoffs, anything can happen,” summarized Sauvageau.
Montreal will kick off its season with three road games in Ottawa (January 2), Minnesota (January 6) and New York (January 10), before hosting Boston at the Verdun Auditorium on January 13.
Boissonnault knows his role
The menage a trois in front of the Canadian net has been the subject of much discussion since the end of training camp. The tone is not the same within the Montreal club of the LPHF, where it is clearly in the team’s plans.
It is also Boissonnault who will occupy this thankless role of third goalkeeper. She came to Montreal knowingly.
“I had other contacts with other teams, but I really liked the contact I had with Danièle Sauvageau. In the end, it was best for me to come to Montreal,” she explained.
“It was my No. 1 choice. The fact that it is the team closest to home, in New Brunswick, weighed in the balance,” admitted Boissonnault.
For Sauvageau, it was important that his third goalkeeper not only make up the numbers.
“I knew her from the Players’ Association days. We wanted someone who complemented the team well, who knew his role, and who could challenge our No. 2 goalie (Elaine Chuli). And if, whatever the reasons, Ann-Renée (Desbiens, goalkeeper no. 1) had to be absent, we have someone who is capable of offering good performances. We knew she could give us that,” concluded Sauvageau.