Katherine Dubois' first season in the Women's Professional Hockey League (LPHF) wasn't easy. A real roller coaster of emotions.
Initially a reserve player, the striker hopes she has done enough to convince Montreal to offer her a permanent contract.
In the absence of a farm club, each organization has three reserve players who can receive a 10-day contract, twice during the season, and only in case of injury. In 9 matches out of a possible 24, Dubois has already been called upon to bolster the team on two occasions.
What will happen to him at the end of this second 10-day contract?
That's a lot of change. I don't know a lot of things either. I can't really put myself in the future. I really have to take it one day at a time because there's so much going on that I don't want to start thinking too much either.
indicated the main interested party.
The 28-year-old Quebecer is not in her first predicament. Known for her resilience, she often thought about giving up since the beginning of her career. But every time she knew how to rise up.
The biggest challenge I faced was trusting myself. I think I started to gain confidence in myself when I started being told no. When I felt like people might have less confidence in me, that's when I found myself confronting myself
She said.
I think trust, for me, has always been a difficult thing. It's truly a life's work. I think it will still be difficult, and we have to work at it every day to overcome all of this.
Illness and injury were also part of his journey. If the workload associated with LPHF is challenging for some people, this is not the case for her. Living with pain, being in pain, is normal for DuBois.
Since I was little, I've been playing with the guys and getting hit. I played with Anne-Renée Depien and I remember she sometimes helped me tie my coat because I was in such good physical condition I couldn't even tie it. I never thought I wouldn't play because I was in pain. On the contrary, it gives me motivation, gives me more adrenaline. I learned to live with pain. What was most problematic for me was the psychological aspect.
For the first time in her life, she felt like she was playing in a league tailored to her playing style. At 1.78 meters (5 ft 10 in) tall, she was used to staying on the brakes.
The first game I played, I was able to go into corners and skate, I wasn't afraid to use my body, it was very comfortable. For a long time, I think I asked myself a lot of questions about how to approach a girl. I didn't want to punish my team because of my playing style, and it was very difficult for me to adapt to that.
I confessed.
My playing style is based on physicality, so when that was taken away from me, it made me question myself a little bit. Now that I'm able to do that, I feel free, and I feel good on the ice
DuBois added.
Catherine Dubois scores a goal against New York.
Photo: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
Even if the attacker is working hard to stay in the present moment, he or she realizes that the situation is particularly difficult to live with. She had some excellent moments offensively, but also received poor penalties, particularly during a game at Place Belle against Ottawa.
There is very little room to maneuver.
I feel like I'm being heard. I don't want to make mistakes, so sometimes it gets out of character because I'm afraid I'll look bad. Korean [Cheverie, l’entraîneuse-chef] It gave me confidence. After the two penalties in Laval, I was sure it was over for me. When she asked me to come back to the ship, I said to myself, “Well, she gives me her trust.”
With her energy and tenacity, Dubois quickly became a crowd favorite. Fans are demanding that she be part of the starting lineup. The player from Quebec feels this love from the fans.
I feel really lucky. The love I get from the fans is my energy. Thank you very much. It's really beautiful what I'm experiencing now. I talk about it with my parents. I tell them: Why me? I feel very pampered, it gives me extra energy. It wasn't easy for me at first, and it still isn't today, but having that love gives me wings.
“, she admitted.
If the reserve role can be particularly tough on morale, the financial issue quickly takes over as well, as he is being paid a salary of US$13,000 ($17,525 CAD) for this season.
Dubois believes the LPHF must quickly make changes to the status of these players.
The reserve role is really difficult. On the financial side, it's not easy because we want to perform and we have to be with the team to do that. So it is difficult to get a second job. Should be 26 players. Whether you play or not, you have the same benefits. You can't perform if you don't practice and play. You won't be able to help the team. For the team, for the individual, I think this has to change
She said.
DuBois touches her dream, but she has the impression that it could slip through her fingers at any moment. She is still hoping to get a real contract as a starting player.
That would be a relief, she admitted. Lately I've been feeling a little heavy. It is difficult to keep calm and stay emotional in the present moment. But at the same time, it builds resilience in me. If I hadn't faced so many difficult things in my life, I don't think I would respond the same way today.
Unless there is a change, the Feb. 16 game against Toronto will be the last on his second 10-day contract.
She will then have to sign a contract with Montreal. If Danielle Sauvageau doesn't do that, Quebeckers will surely quickly find themselves elsewhere.
“Hipster-friendly tv trailblazer. Problem solver. Infuriatingly humble introvert. Reader. Student. Subtly charming bacon maven.”
More Stories
“We will bring back the Nordic countries”
Facts by François Gagnon | Planes: from the white ball to the big dark
Cantonese Magog: The Victory That Inspires