The match against the Ottawa Charge played on Sunday in Quebec City will have a very special flavor for Montreal Victoire forward Catherine Dubois.
As part of the Grand Tour of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF), the Victoire will host the Charge for the fourth meeting of nine presented on neutral territory.
Born in Charlesbourg, five minutes from the Coliseum, Dubois is impatient to step on the ice at the Videotron Center. “I’m excited and I’ve been waiting for this moment to play in front of my family and friends for a long time,” she said. I grew up five minutes from the Colosseum. I needed 120 tickets for my family members and friends. I am happy that my loved ones can experience this event which arouses great enthusiasm.”
Because the Victory faced the Minnesota Frost on Friday in Laval, the former color wearer of the University of Montreal Carabins and the Limoilou Titans tried not to look too far ahead at the time of our interview.
“It’s certain that the game in Quebec has a special feel and that I’m going to have butterflies in my stomach when I jump on the ice,” she admitted, “but I’m focusing on Friday’s game. »
No surprise at the craze
Is Dubois surprised by the enthusiasm generated by the LPHF Grand Tour? The Victory sold out Vancouver and crowds of over 14,000 and over 12,000 attended the games in Denver and Seattle respectively. The Videotron Center will be full for the first LPHF stop.
“We are there,” she said. Women’s hockey has always been a popular sport at the Olympics. We expected it to work. This is year 2 of the circuit and it is encouraging that the success persists over time. It’s encouraging for the future.”
“The resources are greater than last year and the visibility is greater,” continued Dubois. The more fans see women’s hockey, the more they want to see it. In Montreal and Quebec, there are a lot of supporters and they are always present in large numbers.
-Dubois will play under the eyes of his former coach Pascal Dufresne who managed him for three years with the Titans. “I have a lot of respect for the person and the coach and I am happy that he is there to support us.”
The entire Titans team will be present for the duel between Victory and the Charge.
Dubois played his minor hockey in Quebec with the boys up to the bantam category. She then played in Ontario before returning home to join the Limoilou Titans in the college circuit.
Family business
During the off season, Dubois returns to Quebec where she works for the family construction business. “My departure didn’t cause a hole because my father is used to me leaving and coming back. I left in July to train in Montreal. It’s the ideal job. Otherwise it wouldn’t be easy to find an employer who accepts that I leave seven to eight months a year.”
A reassuring presence
Aged 29, Dubois enjoys the role of big sister to her younger teammates. “I am among the oldest and I am here for the young people. I am there to motivate them and to calm down when the situation is more tense. I take great pride in playing this role.”
“On the ice, I am versatile,” added Dubois. I can play everywhere. I have an offensive flair, but I can also carry out defensive missions.
