Even in moments of doubt, Catherine Dubois continued to believe. Now she can truly taste her childhood dream.
At five feet, 10 inches tall, it’s hard to miss Dubois on the ice. And if you ever lose sight of her for a moment, just look in front of the net or in the corner of the rink to find her.
This constant desire to get involved in the places where it hurts, combined with her hard work and intensity, rewarded the 28-year-old forward on Saturday night when she signed a standard contract to join the team of Montreal of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF).
Besides, he was less one for Dubois. According to league regulations, teams can count on three reserve players and they can receive two 10-day contracts during the season, and only in the event of injury. The towering striker’s second contract was about to end and she no longer seemed to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s a childhood dream. I’m really happy and really relieved. It was a lot of stress not knowing where I would play or what would happen. It was eating away at me a little,” admitted Dubois.
She and her teammates were returning from a match in front of a record crowd of 19,285 spectators in Toronto when Danièle Sauvageau, the general manager of the Montreal club, called her to announce that she had made her place as a regular player.
Dubois did not hide the fact that she cried tears with her family when she heard the news. It’s a bit as if the pressure is off and his efforts have finally paid off.
“Every day I thought it wouldn’t work in Montreal. You start doubting yourself and wondering what you’re not doing right, she said. I play hockey because I love it. I couldn’t stop working and think that one day I was going to make it. I had to trust myself and push through [de ça]. »
Dubois left his mark upon entering the league on January 10 in New York. She scored her first career goal during a power play, while she was installed in front of the net.
Since then, coach Kori Cheverie has not hesitated to use it in very specific situations, including the numerical advantage. Sunday afternoon, at Place Bell, Dubois started the game against the Minnesota team on the fourth line, before being transferred to Marie-Philip Poulin’s wing. The objective was in particular to create more space for Montreal’s star player.
“Duby is predictable, in a good sense of the word. We know what she’s going to give us. She rushes to the net, she’s not afraid of anything, she takes pucks out of the corner and she creates battles. When I change the lines, the players don’t always like it, but Dubois often answers the call. She has the personality to do it,” said Cheverie.
You might think that Dubois’ frame gives her a marked advantage over the other players, but it’s not that simple. The more physical game of the LPHF, however, allowed him to have free rein on the ice and to play in a physical manner.
“People think that because you’re big and strong, things are easier, but it’s the opposite. I always have to be among the strongest and fastest. It’s a lot of work. But I’m happy to have this size, because I can take advantage of it. In the past, I couldn’t always use my body, because I was penalized,” she noted.
Now that she no longer has to worry about her contract situation, it will be interesting to see if Dubois will have an impact in the race for the top spot involving the Montreal team. It is currently one point behind the Minnesota club, as mid-season approaches.