Sarah Lefort didn’t plan to hang up her skates this year. As recently as mid-August, she still had in mind participating in the Victoire de Montréal training camp. An opportunity as unexpected as it was interesting turned his plans upside down…
Posted at 2:53 a.m.
Updated at 5:00 a.m.
Lefort found herself faced with a dilemma in August when a job offer was published by the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF). An offer as a merchandise category manager. For someone who holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics, it was the perfect opportunity to combine her two passions. So she took the chance and applied.
When she was offered the position, Lefort had to make a choice: start her full-time career in a field that she is passionate about, or remain a professional hockey player… within this same league. “It was one or the other. »
“I made the decision to take the next step,” says the 30-year-old woman.
“We can say it: it is not necessarily easy to find a position in these circumstances. […] Eventually, I knew I wanted to find a position that interested me in commerce. Just combining the two, hockey and business, it’s a perfect role for me. That’s a little bit why, when I saw it, I applied and I said to myself: the opportunity is there. It’s a good league, a league that will stay for a long time. »
Two months after making the decision to retire from hockey, Lefort is happy, even if she admits to not having yet completely “realized” that her career on the ice was over.
“I’m definitely going to miss the games, being on the team, being at the rink with all my best friends. […] I played for many years. On that side, I don’t regret anything. I am very happy to have been able to play for Montreal last year, to have had the experience. I couldn’t wish for anything better to end my career. »
“I don’t regret it”
We tend to forget it, but Lefort experienced all the stages of the development of women’s hockey throughout her career.
After an absolutely successful university career where she amassed more than 50 points twice – including 32 goals in her second season! – with Boston University, the Ormstown native played for the Montreal Canadiennes of the former CWHL.
Among the Canadians, she rubbed shoulders with players like Marie-Philip Poulin, Caroline Ouellette, Julie Chu, Mélodie Daoust, Hilary Knight and Erin Ambrose for three years.
In 2022-2023, Lefort was a member of La Force, the Montreal team of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). The league was subsequently purchased last year by the controlling shareholders of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA).
Then the LPHF as we know it today was born.
Lefort was not selected during the first draft of this new league made up of six teams, in 2023. “Am I going to play again? », she asked herself.
It made me question what I wanted to do: do I take the next step or do I try to make my place at camp [de l’équipe montréalaise] ?
Sarah Lefort
She chose this second option. And we know the rest.
“I don’t regret it,” she suggests.
“It led me [à réaliser le] means that everyone can find a place on a team. [Ça m’a donné] an attitude of: I’m going to show you who I am. […] I was very proud of my answer [face à l’adversité] and make camp. I had a very good camp. To make my place here has been incredible. »
Busy at the office
For several weeks, Lefort has no longer spent his days at the arena, but in an office. And she’s “very busy” these days. Along with colleagues in her department, she is responsible for creating merchandise for the six teams, which recently had new identities.
“It’s really not finalized. We spend our days seeing products. I hope people enjoy! she exclaims. We want to establish something good and beautiful for this season and grow in terms of identity. »
Looking back, Lefort considers that her playing career lived up to her expectations. As for his career in business… let’s just say it’s off to a good start!
“I am very happy with this position, working with the people I work with. I wouldn’t say it was an easy decision, but for me it’s the best of both worlds. »