Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, accomplices in life and on the ice rink

They recently got married and are teammates and trio partners. They have also become the leaders, the face of the Montreal Victory. Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey are now trying to navigate their new reality.

Although they started dating several years ago, it was only recently that the two chose to make their relationship public. First there was this post announcing their engagement last year, then the wedding last September.

At the same time, they were finally becoming professional hockey players and suddenly they were receiving attention they had never received before. Even if they try to lead a normal life, they admit that interest in their story, their career, takes on an unexpected extent.

Getting married, coming out with our story, it opened our eyes to how much bigger it is than we thought, and how it can help others. I don't think we expected that, honestlyrecognizes Laura Stacey.

I knew that hockey was going to bring me a lot into my life, but I didn't think so much. To see everything that has happened in the last year, it is remarkable. And the two of us, to be recognized beyond being hockey players, it's crazysays Poulin, visibly moved.

However, Marie-Philip Poulin had already been in the public eye for a long time. But since the beginnings of LPHFwe feel that the captain is now more relaxed. Suddenly, fans have access to much more than just the player.

It's not that I've changed, but maybe I've become more comfortable, more natural. I am more myself, analyzes Poulin. The last year has really opened my eyes. I can really connect more than just as a hockey player.

I think it just allows him to play more freely, lead our team and really enjoy the moment. I think to see that she kind of takes the pressure off her shoulders, to be herself, it's incredible. I think it makes her a better hockey player and a better person tooadds Laura Stacey.

When creating the LPHFeach team could sign three free agents. The general director of Montreal, Danièle Sauvageau, had chosen Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renée Desbiens and Laura Stacey.

If the first two signatures were obvious, the third brought its share of questions. Did Laura Stacey obtain this contract only because she was Marie-Philip Poulin's partner? Both players were well aware of the doubts raised.

A year ago, I was really nervous. I wasn't sure. It was a dream come true, but at the same time, I was scared. There was a lot of uncertainty, and I wanted to prove to people that I could handle the situation and that I deserved my place in Montrealconfides the one who is originally from Toronto.

Laura Stacey has quickly become one of the cornerstones of this team. Thanks to her style of play, her talent, her charisma and her interviews in French, she is now one of the crowd's favorites. During the opening match at Place Bell, Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey were the two most highly acclaimed players.

I had a big smile behind the curtain, hearing people so loud for Laura. She was stressed last year, she wanted to prove that she deserved to be signed among the three players. I had no doubts from the startsays Poulin.

I didn't expect it to take this magnitude, both individually and for both of us. Obviously, she [Poulin] is a Canadian icon. She is the best player in the worldunderlines Stacey.

I got chills when I received this ovation. I didn't expect it. I said to myself: “Wow! They really love me here, they really want me to stay here and play for their city.” I'm going to give my heart and soul to bring a championship back to Montreal. I'm going to do everything I can for this team and I I hope the supporters are aware of this.

With teammates like Kristin O'Neill, Erin Ambrose and Ann-Renée Desbiens, Laura Stacey and Marie-Philip Poulin form the group of leaders of this Montreal Victory team. If it's not a surprise for Poulin, many people discover this side of Stacey's personality. They are two leaders, but in a totally different style.

I am more of a leader through action, says the captain. Over the years, I have found my voice a little, but above all I will demonstrate the importance of work ethic, of working hard every day, of pushing yourself. I'm someone who won't always speak, but when I do, I hope the people around me will listen.

She leads by example. No one works harder than hersays Stacey, about Poulin. She's pushing this group up like I've never seen anyone do before. We are truly fortunate to have her on our team to show us the way.

Laura Stacey, on the other hand, is a much more vocal leader. Whether on the ice or in the locker room, she admits that she loves talking and helping the youngest. It must be said that her journey has not been smooth sailing and she hopes to use her experience to the benefit of her teammates.

It’s also his work ethic. The person she is, how she brings people together, it's something that really opened my eyesunderlines Poulin.

I think I try to do the little details right, keep things simple, have a work ethic, determination, and be resilient. It takes a lot of falls, struggles, bruises, moments where you have to get back up. I believe I am a leader through failure and resilience. And obviously, I like to have fun and I talk a lotlaughs Stacey.

Each in their own way, they try to help others, to advise the younger players, to reassure their teammates during moments of uncertainty. Despite their talent, they both remember having experienced more difficult situations where such a presence was beneficial to them.

I remember, when I started on the national team… When you see things aren't going so well and a veteran just slaps you on the pad, I can tell you that it's worth 1000 words. I'm going to take the time to just say a little comment or just give a little pat on the leg warmer. It can go very far and I don't take that for grantedassures Poulin.

Since the creation of the LPHFStacey and Poulin have a mandate to implement a culture within their team. Starting from scratch is not a particularly easy task on a team that has players from Canada, the United States and Europe. Usually there is already a foundation, values ​​are already in place.

For Poulin and Stacey, there is the team on the ice, but the human bonds forged outside are essential.

As a team, you can be on the ice every day, you can pass the puck, you can shoot, you can play, you can practice for hours. But sometimes, off the ice, if you don't have that connection… Eventually, it will catch up with you. We hope to create this culture in Montreal where people feel that it's their home, that they feel good, and that they go to the arena and feel like themselvesindicates Marie-Philip Poulin.

I think I like making people feel comfortable. There is no person who is bigger than others on a team. Every person is truly important, every person has a voice.

Between their personal and professional lives, Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey obviously spend a lot of time together. If drawing the line between their realities is essential, they recognize that it is not always easy to dissociate the two.

For us, to be able to arrive at the arena and leave together is a privilege. Sometimes, I won't lie to you, these aren't great conversations. fun. You get angry, we are competitive, we want to do well. We know that we are leaders on this team and we take a lot on our shoulders, confides Poulin. Being able to draw the line is super important. Sometimes we have to put it on pause and enjoy the two of us.

We're also teammates, so when we come to the arena, that's who we are. We want to show our teammates that we are like them, that we will respect them as much as we respect ourselves. We are in the same basket. But obviously everyone knows it now, everyone talks about it. We make jokes about it, it's not hidden anymoreadds Stacey.

Being line partners, teammates, bringing it all home, it can get difficult. It's constant work. We are still trying and will always try to find our balance. But to experience this together, it's incredibleadds Stacey.