Of all the rules the Professional Women's Hockey League tried out during a mini-tournament at the University of Utica earlier this month, there was one that raised eyebrows among the new team's head coach: Montreal.
• Also read: Women's hockey: “It's even better than expected,” said Danièle Sauvageau
• Also read: Marie-Philip Poulin's training is well known
• Also read: Hockey: Carey Price's wife joins new women's league
“I'm not a big supporter of abolishing short-time work compensation, but not at all,” said Kori Cheverie without hesitation during a video conference on Wednesday.
If a player sent the puck into the opponent's zone before crossing the central red line just in front of an athlete, the faceoff took place in the attacking team's zone, which could not make a change.
Result inferior
During this competition, which the six LPHF Circuit teams competed in during their training camp in New York State, different rules were established in certain games.
This also included the two penalty minutes that were served in full, even if a goal was scored in a massive attack.
The “long change”, i.e. when the bench is furthest away from the defensive zone, also applied in the first and third periods and not, as usual, only in the second.
Then a player could be involved in a shootout more than once.
“It brings a different aspect to the game,” noted the band’s coach, Marie-Philip Poulin. We were able to try some things that other leagues weren’t able to test.”
“I think what the fans, players and coaches liked most was that the punished girl could escape the dungeon when her team scored while shorthanded,” she added.
Therefore, the disadvantage specialists were put to the test, which pleased Cheverie.
“Usually it’s the power play that gets all the attention. It was special to be able to juggle all those special teams scenarios.”
Marie-Philip Poulin (in red) during a game against Boston, during a Professional Women's Hockey League mini-tournament, at the University of Utica in upstate New York on December 5, 2023. Photo provided by the Professional Women's Hockey League
Robust gaming
League officials will determine which regulations will be retained before the start of the season, which will take place on January 1st in Toronto.
LPHF vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford has already confirmed that body checking and fighting would be banned, but there would be more room for robust play than in international games.
American Megan Keller was waiting for Marie-Philip Poulin last February at Place Bell in Laval during the Rivalry Series. Photo Martin Chevalier / JdeM
French courses
Cheverie has been on the job for about three months. She says she is adjusting well to her new life, having moved around a lot during her playing and coaching career.
“Montreal has always been a city that has interested me,” she said. […] I spend almost all of my time in the arena, but maybe with the new year I'll have the chance to explore the city a little more. I love Montreal so far.”
To distract herself – she “thinks about hockey 24 hours a day, seven days a week” – the 36-year-old Nova Scotian takes French lessons.
“I had one before that call,” she told reporters. However, I don’t feel comfortable speaking to you in French yet.”
For Cheverie, French and English coexist very well in her training, and the presence of two Czech players means a third language catches her attention.
“We wrote a holiday message in English, French and Czech. It was very cool. We have French and English speaking communities, but also a Czech community at the heart of the team. It’s important to recognize it,” she said.