The first Women's Professional Hockey League (LPHF) match between Toronto and New York was closely watched on Monday in Estrie with a player from Sherbrooke taking part.
The women of these teams have marked hockey history, and among them we find Sherbrooke's Maude Pauline Labelle.
Despite the defeat, the hockey player feels a sense of accomplishment.
“It was not the result we wanted, but we told ourselves that we had to realize that it was still a historic day. We were all excited, it was a really big step for women's hockey,” emphasized Maud Boulain-LaBelle.
On this occasion, his parents traveled from Sherbrooke to attend the match.
“We arrived an hour before the game and there was already a long line outside. There, emotions ran high,” said his father, Patrick LaBelle.
They made enormous sacrifices to allow their youngest daughter to achieve her dream.
“We were always at the matches, and we took the plane to see her. We wanted her to have someone, and we thought it was important,” her mother Micheline Pauline added.
They say they are proud of their daughter and her hard work.
This league represents an opportunity for the people of Sherbrooke, but also for all women who dream of playing hockey professionally one day.
“Seeing the little girls when you came out clapping their hands, and seeing your impact on the future generation, was really fun. Having women instead of men as idols is really good, it shows that no dream is too far-fetched,” the hockey player mentioned.
Toronto will play against Montreal on January 20 in the capital.
Maude Boulain-LaBelle will then be able to count on the support of her supporters in the stands.
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