(Montreal) Will she play? Will she have to wait? Has the contract been signed? These are questions that were frequently asked of forward Mélodie Daoust during her press scrums with the media during the regular season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Wednesday noon at the Verdun Auditorium, journalists had the same concerns.
The case of the Montreal team forward is that of a young lady who “experiences pure happiness” every time she jumps on the ice, but who cannot play hockey as often as She would like it and like a true professional, because of her situation as a single mother of a young boy.
Her only avenue is 10-day contracts, like the two she was offered during the regular season –– the maximum according to league regulations provided a teammate is injured – and which she signed, and the one she could initial for the playoffs.
“I know I can play under another 10-day contract. I will wait for the decision this evening (Wednesday). I am available,” replied Daoust when asked about her status ahead of the first game of the semi-final series, which will take place Thursday evening at Place Bell against Boston.
LPHF rules state that a player can sign a single 10-day contract during the playoffs. In Daoust’s case, the heartbreaking question is when is the best time to put his name to the bottom of such a pact, if the possibility presents itself.
The schedule for the best-of-five series between Montreal and Boston could stretch until May 19 if the duel goes to the limit. Thus, if Daoust signs a contract which gives her the right to play on Thursday, it is assured that she will not be able to participate in the final if the Montreal team qualifies.
A journalist also asked her if she would prefer to participate in the semi-final or if she would be ready to take a chance for Montreal to reach the final.
“It’s a good bet and I’m not very good at casinos!” “, she said, laughing.
I would say that any way I can impact the team, that’s what I want. If it’s to help him get to the final and live that dream, that will be it. If it’s the opposite, it will be that too. I’m there to help and then when I get the call, I’m ready.
Mélodie Daoust
The 32-year-old attacker from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield had time to participate in six games, including two against Boston, thanks to her two 10-day contracts. She collected five points, including three goals.
Six games is exactly a quarter of a full season, but that doesn’t stop Daoust from being fulfilled by the first year of the LPHF’s existence. For her, a new era has been launched.
“We have established the base and we can only move up. The fans followed us throughout the year. They were there, they were present to support us. We see that there is a craze for women’s hockey from the youngest to the oldest and that is what is important. We are growing women’s hockey at the moment,” Daoust began by emphasizing.
“Our mission is still the same, we want there to be more young players playing. For us, that’s what’s important. But on the professional hockey side, there are still things to improve, I won’t hide it. But I think we have taken a good step in the right direction,” she added.
It was when she was invited to elaborate on “things to improve” that Daoust returned to her personal situation.
“Currently, I can’t make a living just playing hockey with my reserve contract. That’s why I had to get another job outside. But it’s the same thing for players who earn minimum wage. If you have a family, it’s difficult at the end of the month. »
“There are plenty of games during the season where I could have played when I didn’t have custody of my boy. Also, I have to sign a contract when there is an injured person on our team. It’s boring because you don’t wish that on anyone. This is perhaps a rule that will change in the future,” added Daoust.
According to the head coach of the Montreal club, Kori Cheverie, the regulations relating to reserve players are not the best.
“It would be better to have 25 or 26 regular players who can all play. (…) There is good and bad in each option. But it’s certain that the 10-day contract is not ideal. It’s difficult. I hope things will be a little different next year. »
reference: www.lapresse.ca