LPHF: Mélodie Daoust, a luxury reservist

One of the hidden cards of the Montreal team is Mélodie Daoust. But there is no guarantee that the three-time Olympic medalist will play in the playoffs.

• Also read: LPHF: who will have the edge in the Montreal-Boston series?

• Also read: Ann-Renée Desbiens draws inspiration from Patrick Roy for the LPHF series

• Also read: LPHF Semi-Final: a Montreal-Boston series

Daoust was named MVP at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and at the 2021 World Championships, and is one of the team’s three reserves. She is entitled to sign a 10-day contract, while the two elimination rounds in the LPHF can span a little more than three weeks.

The 32-year-old Quebecer assured she was “available for the duration of the series” but still did not know, Wednesday, whether she will face Boston Thursday night at Place Bell in Laval. It depends on whether a girl is injured (Sarah Bujold’s case is evaluated daily) and whether the organization wants to keep this option for the final.

“It is good gambling, I’m not very good at the casino!” joked the striker in front of reporters almost as many as in the Canadian locker room.

The athlete from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield collected five points in six games during two 10-day stays.

“I expected to just come and train all year,” she admitted. But when you get the call to play 3-4 game, it really is pure joy. It reminds me why I’m in love with hockey.”

Single mother

The Montreal club could benefit from the presence of such an experienced player who liked to “give advice” and guide young people who have “the best job in the world”.

“His energy, his work ethic in every practice is there. She has a lot of experience and we are super happy with everything she brings to the team,” emphasized her captain, Marie-Philip Poulin.

If Daoust couldn’t commit 100%, it’s because she’s in charge of the women’s hockey program at Collège Bourget, in Rigaud. She is also the mother of a small preschool child.

“There are a lot of games during the season that I could have played when I wasn’t taking care of my boy,” the single mother said. It is also boring to sign when someone is injured. We don’t wish that on anyone. Maybe there is a rule that will change.”

“We could instead have 25 or 26 girls who can all play,” head coach Kori Cheverie suggested. […] 10 day contracts are not ideal. I hope there will be changes.”

Low paid

Although she acknowledges that hockey players have never been treated so well, including meals, Daoust wants a financial aspect to improve.

“I can’t make a living from hockey with a reserve contract. It is the same for girls who earn minimum wage [47 000$]. If you have a family, it’s hard to make ends meet. […] In a women’s league, there will be many mothers. We have to be open and understand this reality, said Mélodie Daoust, ready to jump into the fray as soon as she got the signal.