Proving that the new women’s ice hockey league is indeed a professional league, the Montreal team welcomes three Czechs, a Swede and a player representing China to their training camp.
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The attackers Lina Ljungblom (22-year-old Swede), who has never played in America, Tereza Vanisova (27-year-old Czech) and Leah Lum (27-year-old Canadian-Chinese), defender Dominika Laskova (26-year-old). -old Czech) and goalkeeper Blanka Skodova (26-year-old Czech) mostly arrived in the city on Tuesday evening.
The next morning, accompanied by four Americans, they were at the 21.02 Center in the Verdun Auditorium to meet the other players and staff of the Montreal team.
“It’s a whole new world for them. You moved here, trust the league [professionnelle de hockey féminin] and to the team. The girls live in Griffintown or near the arena. There are a few good restaurants and good cafes on Notre Dame Street. It will be fun to show them around the city and show them how fun Montreal is,” said Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who also wants to teach them a few words of French.
“The international girls will quickly realize that we have great fans in Montreal,” added defender Maude Poulin-Labelle, who was drafted in the 10th round by the NCAA after completing her university internship.
Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and Maude Poulin-Labelle. Photo Mylene Richard
A historic day
To participate in the auction, players had To and be approved by a committee.
“It shows the interest in wanting to play with the best in the world. We will see more and more players from Asia and Europe coming to North America to play,” predicted Danièle Sauvageau, general director of the Montreal club, whose names, like those of the five other regional formations, are still awaited.
“No matter what people say about the jersey or the logo, we are just happy to be playing in such a professional league for the first time. It’s a historic day,” said striker Laura Stacey.
“We can all learn something from one thing or another, especially from the way girls play in the Czech Republic and the United States,” the adopted Montrealer continued for about two years.
There’s also head coach Kori Cheverie, a 36-year-old Nova Scotian who is embracing her new life.
“It is extraordinary. “Everyone is kind enough to help us look for an apartment or get us to the grocery store,” said the man who will be at the head of a fast and offensive formation.
Éric Houde, Kori Cheverie, Danièle Sauvageau, Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and Maude Poulin-Labelle. Photo Mylene Richard
Medical tests
The smile was on everyone’s lips in front of the media, but it may have disappeared later in the day during the difficult physical tests spanning three days before the first official on-ice practice on Saturday.
“I feel like a child on Christmas Day. “It was exciting meeting us for the first time, even if the medical tests aren’t the most exciting part!” Poulin confirmed.
▶ Quebec goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens missed both games in the Canada-United States Rivalry Series last week due to an unidentified injury. She should be able to hit the ice with her teammates this weekend.