Élizabeth Giguère is back in Quebec for the first time since 2017 after signing a contract with the Montreal Force.
The organization has confirmed several signings, including that of the 26-year-old forward, who will join the Quebec team after spending a year with Boston Pride, also in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). She tied with Ann-Sophie Bettez on 22 points and finished second in rookie standings behind Jade Downie-Landry, but her 1.2 point-per-game average earned her a tie fourth place in the league.
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Giguère made a notable climb up the American university rankings, amassing no fewer than 295 points in 177 games. In 2020, she notably received the Patty Kazmaier Trophy, awarded annually to the NCAA’s top female hockey player. She played for Clarkson University and the University of Minnesota Duluth.
“To say I’m excited to be playing in Canada again is an understatement. The Force is a great organization and I am confident that we will make a difference in the league this year. “I can’t wait to start this season back close to home in front of all my friends and family,” said the one who also represented Canada on the international stage at the 2015 World Junior Championships and recently the final series of Rivalry.
“Elizabeth is a spark plug on the ice and can be the engine of our attack. I believe our team structure and game system will allow him to achieve more this season. We are very excited to have him with us next year,” added team president Kevin Raphaël.
The main prospect is also very motivated by the idea of becoming an ambassador for women’s sports in the Belle Province.
“I saw what they did this year, how they tried to promote women’s hockey across Quebec,” Giguère noted in an interview with LCN. It’s amazing what they’ve accomplished and how many fans they’ve brought to women’s hockey.”
“After talking to Kevin, [il n’y avait pas de] I doubt I’ll be coming back to Quebec.”
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Additionally, the Force signed Corinne Schroeder, the 2022-23 PHF Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year after setting single-season records of 19 wins, seven shutouts and a total of 761 saves. Montreal also gave their captain Bettez and forward Alexandra Labelle new contracts, signing up for one and two years respectively.
Schroeder, 23, led the goaltenders with a 1.67 clean sheet average and a .955 save percentage while starting the franchise’s highest mark with 22 games.
“Corinne is an exceptional young goalkeeper. It’s not every day you attract record athletes like her. She has all the resources to perform well and integrate well into the city of Montreal,” said Raphaël.
Bettez, 35, has 11 goals and 22 points in 23 games. The club’s first female captain also scored the team’s first goal on her PHF debut on November 5 in Buffalo. Eventually, Labelle finished third on the team with 13 points, including six goals, in 24 games.
La Force has been busy this offseason, offering new contracts for Jade Downie-Landry and Brigitte Laganière last week. She also got along with varsity players Audrey-Anne Veillette and Rosalie Bégin-Cyr.
Enough to give Captain Bettez optimism, who believes his team can aim for great success.
“Last year wasn’t exactly our dream year because we would have liked to have made the playoffs. But with all the acquisitions we are making, we are preparing for an excellent second year.
La Force posted an 8-14-2 record in his inaugural season, finishing sixth and penultimate in the league.