MONTREAL – When it comes to elite hockey, Ann-Sophie Bettez knows it.
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So much so that few players are better placed than her to discuss the current state of women’s hockey in North America.
Bettez, who will be the showcase hosted by the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association April 2 and 3 at Center 21.02 in Verdunranks second in Canadian Women’s Hockey League scoring history, with a spectacular 263 points in 170 games.
She is preceded only by the legend – also her former linemate at Les Canadiennes de Montréal – Caroline Ouellette, who sits in first place on the list.
While the achievement in itself is already remarkable, it is impossible to know if Bettez would have been able to take the No. 1 spot as the CWHL’s leading scorer if she had not been deprived of playing professional hockey. these last years.
Bettez, who like most women involved in sports works full time so she can afford to play, is not only excited about the upcoming PWHPA showcase, she’s also encouraged by the possibility of a new women’s hockey league in Canada.
“We have a very good event coming up. We have serious investors in the idea of having a league in Canada next year, and potentially a team in Montreal. »
The PWHPA showcase highlights the potential of the market, particularly the Montreal market.
Back in the days of Les Canadiennes, games were fun, affordable and very representative of the quintessence of free-play hockey. The stands were filled with young people cheering on teams brimming with pure talent.
Forwards such as Marie-Philip Poulin, Ouellette, Bettez, Kim Deschênes, Mélodie Daoust, Hilary Knight, Noémie Marin, Meghan Agosta and Jill Saulnier constantly walked the rink with their undeniable skills. In defense, fans could marvel at players of the caliber of Erin Ambrose, Julie Chu, Lauriane Rougeau, Charline Labonté and Kim St-Pierre, to name a few.
The bang for the buck matchups were among the best in the sports and entertainment industry, but while Les Canadiennes drew huge crowds, they unfortunately went under many people’s radar.
“Obviously, at some point, things have to change,” Bettez said. I am disgusted to hear people say that we play because we are passionate about the sport. Of course we are passionate. But we are really in an era where we must say that we will have an organization, salaries and women’s hockey in Montreal. »
Beyond the legitimate need for salaries – salaries which would enable them to concentrate on improving their skills, thereby contributing to the development of the sport – a glaring problem is the fact that the matches which were played in Montreal were, for the most part, not televised.
Let’s be honest, sporting events are unlikely to develop at a sustainable pace without considerable media support, an issue that Bettez and several other players have repeatedly pointed out.
“We hope that hockey [féminin] going to be pushed in the media, on the television stations, on the radio, in the newspapers, whatever. We need support for the development of women’s hockey. »
Those who took advantage of the opportunity to see these excellent hockey players were not only treated to a great spectacle, they were able to skate regularly with Olympic athletes, not to mention the opportunity to do the (long) line up to get an autograph.
It was a healthy move emphasizing the most important aspect of developing a sport: supporting fans.
Most of the women powering the League grew up with little or no industry role models to look up to, at least few to whom they were personally connected.
It is with a lot of hard work and dedication that they managed to become role models for the next generation of players.
They have established an important bond with the young women in the stands, allowing them to dream of one day becoming the next Ouellette, Bettez or Poulin of this world.
And the foundations built still exist and are as solid as ever.
All that’s missing is more support.
“Give yourself the chance to take advantage of it,” said Bettez. It’s very good hockey.
The PWHPA Showcase is the perfect opportunity to fall in love with hockey all over again.
(You can get daily or weekend passes for the PWHPA Showcase, presented by Quartexx, by clicking here.)
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