There were winners of 13 Olympic medals at center ice and two members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon at Verdun Auditorium.
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• Also read: [EN VIDÉO] See Marie-Philip Poulin's entry
To that we could add the eight wins of Marie-Philip Poulin and Hilary Knight, the two captains who dropped the ceremonial puck before the first home game of the new Montreal women's professional hockey team.
And in a few years, Poulin and Knight, who learned from none other than Patrice Bergeron that she would wear the Boston club's “C,” will join Danielle Goyette, France St-Louis, Kim St-Pierre, Caroline Ouellette and ex join coach Danièle Sauvageau as legends of their sport.
These pioneers also received great applause at the presentation in front of around 3,200 supporters. “Caro!” Carol! Carol!” The youngest of them was heard welcoming the newest addition to Toronto, especially St-Pierre.
Caroline Ouellette and France St Louis. Photo Martin Chevalier
“You paved the way for us. I saw them on TV and they fought so hard just to play hockey,” Poulin recalled after the 3-2 overtime loss. They deserved to be applauded so loudly by the audience. They have done so much for women's hockey in the country and especially Quebec.
For the star of the hour, these women are “mentors, models”.
“I had a tear in my eye when I saw them go on the ice,” Poulin said.
Danielle Goyette and Kim St Pierre. Photo Martin Chevalier
Thankful
The word “grateful” was often mentioned when discussing these ambassadors at Saturday’s press conferences.
“These women have never counted the hours of training, playing or fighting and they have never experienced anything like this [être payées pour évoluer dans une ligue professionnelle et structurée avec les meilleures joueuses], recognized attacker Laura Stacey, author of a goal against Boston. It was incredible to see them receive such a standing ovation, but they deserve more. These pioneers have done so much to ensure that we have the privilege of being able to make a living from our sport. It was an honor to play in front of them.”
“It was very cool to see what kind of players this country had. It shows how important women's hockey has been there for a long time. It's great that they support our league. They worked really hard today to get us here,” Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie said.
Kim St-Pierre Photo Martin Chevalier
“Hard to do”
Although Poulin is the hero of many girls young and old, it is still difficult for the 32-year-old Quebecer to imagine that one day she will have her place among those who inspired her, even if she is already writing several pages of history.
“It's hard to do. When I see Caroline Ouellette, France St-Louis, Danielle Goyette, Kim St-Pierre and Danièle Sauvageau, for me they are the legends,” said number 29 modestly, adding that it was “remarkable” to see so many boys in the to see the world.
France St-Louis Photo Martin Chevalier
Danielle Goyette Photo Martin Chevalier