The Montreal team absolutely had to improve defensively. That’s what she did by selecting guard Cayla Barnes in the first round of the draft Monday night.
Updated yesterday at 11:48 p.m.
Unsurprisingly, Princeton University forward Sarah Fillier headed to New York first; “a dream come true” for the young star of the Canadian national team. Fillier, seen by many as a generational talent, has just finished her university career with an impressive record of 194 points, including 93 goals, in 120 games.
Montreal was the fifth team to take the stage in St. Paul, Minnesota. Only one defender, Claire Thompson (Minnesota, 3e in total), had already heard his name at that time. General manager Danièle Sauvageau chose Barnes, a right-handed defender who, she said, “could come and lend a hand next season.” A “needs-based” decision.
“She already has so much experience. We have the impression that she has been on the American national team for years, even though she has only just graduated,” said the CEO.
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Sarah Fillier was the first player selected by the New York team
“I’m super excited!” », For her part, launched Barnes once she got off stage. “I’ve been to Montreal a few times and I’m very excited to start. I’m going to have to find my French again, but I’m super excited to learn! »
The Eastvale, Calif., native had 11 goals and 25 assists in 39 games and posted a +71 rating with the Ohio State Buckeyes this season. last.
To the media, she described herself as a player who is “involved offensively” and who “likes to play on both sides of the ice.”
Barnes has been a member of the U.S. national team for several years. In the metropolis, she will meet several opponents who are members of the Canadian team, including Marie-Philip Poulin. “I’m so excited to be able to play with her,” she said. She is one of the best players in the world. »
The young woman said she watched several Montreal matches last season. “They have a good core and a solid foundation,” she noted.
Danièle Sauvageau added two other defenders later in the selection session: Anna Wilgren, a 24-year-old American who played for the University of Wisconsin, and Anna Kjellbin, a 30-year-old Swede who arrives with 10 years of experience at the part of the Swedish national team.
Three attackers are added
In rounds two through four, Sauvageau opted to add talent to his offensive brigade. In the second round, she chose Jennifer Gardiner, another Ohio State University product. The latter thus joined Barnes, “one of [ses] best friends “.
The attacker beamed as she took the stage. “When you hear your name, it’s like your whole world lights up,” she said at a press conference.
Gardiner, a 22-year-old British Columbian, has just scored 18 goals and 27 assists in 39 games with the Buckeyes, good for second in points on her team. She rightly stated that she wanted to bring a “marker’s touch” to Kori Cheverie’s troupe. Such a thing won’t hurt, considering that Montreal often lacked players capable of finding the back of the net in the last season.
“I just want to contribute in any way on and off the ice to bring a championship to Montreal,” added the newcomer.
In the third round, Danièle Sauvageau requested a five-minute timeout, visibly undecided. To everyone’s surprise, she opted for forward Abigail Boreen, who played 14 games with the Minnesota team last season, recording 6 points. The 24-year-old American said she had no discussions with Montreal before the draft and was surprised to hear her name.
Dara Greig, sister of Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig, was Sauvageau’s fourth-round selection. The 23-year-old is coming off a 42-point campaign in 40 games with the Colgate University Raiders.
Sauvageau takes the Kessel bet
Everyone was wondering where Amanda Kessel, who was unable to play last year due to injuries, would end up. Danièle Sauvageau made the American star her final draft selection, at 41e rank.
Kessel, 32, was eligible for the draft, but was rumored to have been in talks to become Minnesota’s new general manager. If such a thing happens, she will obviously not come to play in Montreal.
“The information we have is that the players who signed had until Saturday to withdraw. I didn’t have the chance to talk to him. […] This is obviously a call I’m going to have this week. »
The idea of a team bringing together Marie-Philip Poulin and Amanda Kessel is enough to excite Montreal fans… and intimidate opposing teams!
Emmy Fecteau in New York
Forward Emmy Fecteau was the only Quebecer selected on Monday evening. The New York team made him their sixth round choice, 31e in total. The general director, Pascal Daoust, made the announcement in French on the microphone. Fecteau was the captain of the Concordia Stingers, who had a perfect season of 25 wins in 25 games this season. The native of Saint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne scored 89 points in 83 games. “I’m really happy to go to New York. There are a few Quebecers, so I’m happy,” said the athlete into the host’s microphone, after her selection. “I want to make an impact with the team, be there for my teammates and win,” she added.
Asked about the absence of Quebecers among her selections, Sauvageau said she was “very happy” for Fecteau. “There were a few Quebecers on our list. It’s a question of opportunity, of rank. […] She is a player who will play in that league. When we went to select her, she was no longer there. »
Lina Ljungblom in Montreal for three years
A few hours before the draft, the Montreal team announced that it had reached a three-year agreement with the MVP of the Swedish women’s hockey league, Lina Ljungblom. The latter was the very last choice of the 2023 draft, at 90e rank. This season, she scored 23 goals and added as many assists in 32 games on the other side of the Atlantic. In a press release, Danièle Sauvageau spoke of her as a “dynamic and explosive” player, who will bring depth to the attack.
