Quebecer Catherine Dubois is currently looking for a full-time position in the Professional Women's Hockey League.
The Charlesbourg attacker is limited to a reserve role with the Montreal team this season and is taking full advantage of an initial ten-day trial with the club. The 28-year-old ice hockey player earned the praise of head coach Kori Cheverie.
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“Dubois brings a lot to our group,” praised Cheverie. In the locker room, all the other players love her. She brings an infectious energy to the arena. She shows courage on the ice and sacrifices herself in front of the opponent's goal. She constantly directs pucks into the net. We’re happy for her because she jumped at the chance when she had the chance to play and she made an immediate impact.”
Dubois, who was already present at practice with the Montreal team, said she learned late that she was traveling to New York for the Jan. 10 game, in which she scored a power-play goal in a 5-2 win.
Photo Bruce Bennett/Getty Images via AFP
“My job is to be ready at any time: I came to the arena at 8 a.m. for lunch and was told to go home to pack my bags,” she said of her first game in the LPHF. I didn't realize that I would be accompanying the team to New York and we would be leaving at 12:30 p.m. Again, I wasn't sure if I would play. I really have to always be mentally ready.”
Not an easy role…
Before the game scheduled for Tuesday evening in Laval, the former Cégep de Limoilou Titans and Université de Montréal Carabins also had the opportunity to take part in the local opening game at the Verdun Auditorium last Saturday.
“I have known Catherine for several years and it is good to see her go,” commented Captain Marie-Philip Poulin. Her role as a reserve player is not necessarily the easiest. She attends every training session and always has a big smile on her face. “She helps us get better on and off the ice.”
Catherine Dubois, in training. Photo Martin Chevalier
Poulin was also on the front row of the ice when Dubois scored his first LPHF goal in New York.
“To be honest, it couldn’t have happened to a better person,” Poulin said. She has elevated her game even further for our team and I am very proud of her.”
A valuable memory
Dubois continues her efforts for the rest of her career and assures that she will remember that first goal in New York for a long time, especially since Poulin was by her side.
“Playing on the same line as them was a first and very special for me,” said Dubois. On the ice she was constantly telling me what we could do, she communicates a lot on the ice and that makes playing with her easier.
“Marie-Philip is like a big sister to me, but also to all the other players in the team. She supports us. She's a great player but also a great person. After the goal she told me she was proud of me and that it was very special. It gives you motivation and energy to keep going.”