That’s it, the decisions are made. La Victoire unveiled its final lineup Thursday morning for the next season, which will begin this Saturday at Place Bell.
Posted at 12:36 p.m.
Two players, forward Kennedy Marchment and defender Dominika Lásková, will be on the short-term injured list to start the season. The team therefore kept 28 players in its lineup rather than 26; this number includes 23 players on a standard contract, three players on a reserve agreement as well as the two players on the short-term injured list.
This therefore means that, when the injured return, two players who started the year with a standard contract will be cut or exchanged in order to make room for them.
Unsurprisingly, forward Alexandra Labelle signed a one-year deal. The 28-year-old Quebecer, who played with the New York Sirens last season, had a strong training camp and stood out during the team’s two preparatory matches.
Labelle will be one of four Quebecers on the Montreal team with Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renée Desbiens and Catherine Dubois, all of whom already had a contract in their pocket before the start of camp. Dubois was injured during camp, but will likely play in the team’s first game.
Still among the attackers, the Americans Clair DeGeorge and Dara Greig managed to carve out a place in the lineup. As for Quebecer Gabrielle David, who played for the main club last season, she is now part of the reserve team. New Brunswicker Sarah Bujold was placed on waivers on Tuesday and will not be back with Kori Cheverie’s troupe.
Among the defenders, 30-year-old Swede Anna Kjellbin earned a one-year deal. A sixth-round pick in the last draft, Kjellbin has been part of the Swedish national team for several years.
Also among the players selected is 25-year-old American Anna Wilgren, a fifth-round pick.
Like David, Quebecers Catherine Daoust and Kelly-Ann Nadeau accepted a reservist agreement.
Among goalkeepers, German Sandra Abstreiter impressed enough to obtain a one-season deal. She will be the team’s third goalkeeper, behind Desbiens and Elaine Chuli, who will remain in place for a second consecutive campaign. Last year, the third goalkeeper, Marlène Boissonnault, did not keep goals in any game. Boissonnault and Tricia Deguire, the two other goalkeepers present at camp in recent weeks, were placed on waivers on Tuesday.
In addition, the first round pick in the last draft, Cayla Barnes, practiced in a jersey prohibiting contact. Barnes injured her leg during the first game of the Rivalry Series between Canada and the United States on November 6, after a collision with Marie-Philip Poulin.
La Victoire will play its first regular season match on Saturday, at 5 p.m., at Place Bell. The Ottawa Charge will be visiting.
