Two days. That’s all it took for Jennifer Gardiner to convince Kori Cheverie of her ability to play an important role on offense.
Posted at 5:31 p.m.
“We noticed from her first skates how warm she was,” comments Kori Cheverie. We couldn’t have drafted a better person, and especially not a better player. »
“Several teams would have liked to have him. She will definitely play an important role for us. She is already a player who has come a long way in her career,” continues Cheverie.
It is paradoxical to see the coach touting Gardiner’s pedigree, knowing that this is her first professional experience. However, his CV could hardly be contained on a simple 8 ½ x 11 sheet.
At the end of the 2023 season, Gardiner was in the running for the Patty Kazmaier Trophy as the NCAA’s Most Valuable Player. She had just finished her fourth season with the Ohio State Buckeyes as the team’s leading scorer, with 57 points in 41 games.
Last year, she led her team, of which she was captain, to the national championship, to conclude her university career.
All this earned her a place on the Canadian team, at the heart of the Rivalry Series against the Americans. At Unifolié, she rubbed shoulders with Kristin O’Neill, whom she found in Montreal on the second trio of the Victoire. Maureen Murphy completes their trio. The American is not completely foreign to the new recruit, since she faced him in the university ranks, while playing at Northeastern.
“I’d much rather have her on my side than see her on the other side,” Murphy jokes. He’s a real offensive threat. She’s really talented, but above all, she’s a real worker. »
“I really like this trio,” admits Kori Cheverie. There’s a bit of everything: speed, size, robustness and finesse. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Victory head coach, Kori Cheverie
Adaptation multiple
In training, Jennifer Gardiner increased the number of passes from behind and feints. The one who is only two letters away from bearing the name of a Hollywood star spoke without complexes. So it was surprising to hear him say again and again, after the exercise was over, how much his jump to the pros scared him.
“It really scared me to join a new team,” she admits. The speed, the robustness, the professionalism on a daily basis, these are a lot of elements to adapt to. But ultimately, it’s not that scary! “, she says, laughing.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Dara Greig and Jennifer Gardiner in training
Looking back, the most difficult adaptation may not have happened on the ice. Before joining La Victoire, Jennifer Gardiner had never set foot in Montreal.
“This is definitely not what I expected!” she admits. There is definitely a European atmosphere. I really like it, but I still have to adapt to the culture. »
It’s impossible to deny Gardiner’s efforts to make this happen. A few days after being selected by Montreal, she started small French learning sessions using the application Duolingo.
“I’m on a streak of 132 consecutive days,” she says, with a pride that seems to surpass that which inhabits her when discussing her recent championship.
Beyond language, Jennifer Gardiner and the other Victoire recruits are adapting to a new reality: the passion of Montreal supporters.
“It’s really a special market, and I think they are starting to realize it, especially with the many media present in the last few days,” notes Kori Cheverie.
“Playing in Montreal is a privilege. Everyone wants to have this experience. This is why since the start of camp, you have seen this intensity. The girls know that being part of our training will not be easy. »
A DNA that comes to fruition
In addition to Jennifer Gardiner’s potential, the two days of Victory ice training allowed Kori Cheverie to “gather a lot of information”. The team trained for almost two hours on Friday, at high intensity.
“We see a team that is on a mission,” rejoices Cheverie. We talked about it in our first meeting, we want our identity to be determination. The players wouldn’t be at this camp if they weren’t determined, but they are expected to reach a new level. »
La Victoire will play its first preparatory match against the Boston Fleet on November 20, at the Verdun Auditorium. This meeting will take place behind closed doors, like the one against the Ottawa Charge two days later.
