Achi news desk-
Montreal’s PWHL team had to hang up the skates after a historic first season, falling to Boston in the semifinals. PWHL Montreal captain Marie Philippe Poulin reflects on the season and had these words for the fans.
Thank you, fans!
I would have preferred to write these words a week later, after celebrating a historic first win in the PWHL Finals, but that’s not what was written in the script for our season. This time away from the ice between our last game against Boston and today allowed me to look back on what we experienced together this year. And what a year it has been!
This professional women’s hockey league is the culmination of a shared vision, a collective dream and continuous teamwork. I am immensely proud of the product we have offered to the public, and grateful for the support we have received everywhere. The Montreal market spoiled us with its welcome. We felt the support of the Quebec public from the first drop of the puck, and it continued to grow throughout the season. Whether at home, in the Verdun Auditorium for the opening game, at the Place Bell during the playoffs, or in the Bell Center where we lived a historic moment, our fans were always there. My teammates experienced intense emotions, and I will have goosebumps and unforgettable memories of the tremendous show of love I received from the 21,105 spectators who attended the game on April 20, 2024.
Those who are close to me know that I am only concerned with performance and winning. Hard work and dedication. Commitment and deep gratitude. In this respect, I can say with certainty that our team succeeded. Victory is not always measured by the medals around your neck or the trophies on your mantelpiece. Victory is also about the progress we make every day, as players and above all as human beings. What I have seen on my team and around the league this season are players who have earned the love of their fans, the respect of their peers and the opportunity to make a living from their passion.
To all the girls who followed us, I have a message for you: in your journey you will face adversity, failure and defeat. See these obstacles as stepping stones, not as an end in itself. We grow much more in difficult times than on a road that is already mapped out. With willpower and passion, all goals are achievable.
I want to thank the media that followed us throughout the season, our official broadcasters, the many partners who embarked on the PWHL adventure, our Montreal team’s coaching and support staff, my extraordinary teammates and last but not least, you, the fans, for showing us that our market was more than ready for a professional women’s hockey team . I can’t wait to see you again in the fall!
Thank you very much,
Marie-Philippe Poland
