A good weekend for women's hockey

MONTREAL -- The PWHPA Showcase, presented by Quartexx Management, wrapped up in perfect fashion for the home crowd at Centre 21.02.

SHOP: Canadiens tricolor hoodie
With a triumphant 6-3 win over Team Adidas (Minnesota), Team Harvey's (Montreal) didn't just dominate and display their fast-paced and skilled brand of hockey, they reconnected with a young fanbase that had been without professional women's hockey in over 700 days.
"The fans are amazing here," said Jill Saulnier. "I'm seeing fans I haven't seen in years come up and check-in, to say hello and share some memories, and that's the most important thing, the connection with the fans."
Those fans were treated to an excellent game, but more importantly, they were given the type of access most sports fans could only dream of. They interacted with players, received autographs from members of Team Canada, and were given a space in which they felt the utmost comfort whilst cheering for their heroes.
"It's pretty special," said Sarah Nurse. "We're so community-motivated, because we understand the importance of role models and visibility, and making sure we're able to give back to the younger generation. There are so many women who were able to do that with us. And for us, it's really a full-circle moment.
"One day, those little girls are going to be in our shoes."

And while it's certainly a positive, encouraging event, one that reminds players and fans alike of the love of women's hockey in the Montreal market, there are certain realities that must be addressed.
The players, for the most part, are encouraged by recent developments. There have been whispers that a league will be forthcoming in the foreseeable future, but the crux of the issue remains the lack of media coverage throughout the country.
"I'm not going to be shy about it," said Melanie Desrochers. "It was extremely offensive when the CWHL folded and all these big media conglomerates said 'Oh, what happened?' You happened. Where were you? Where were you for 4 years? People need to show up, and they need to recognize they're part of the problem. Fandoms get built through exposure."
The foundation is in place in Montreal.
There's a plethora of local talent available, not to mention a vibrant fanbase, and the only dedicated center for high-performance, women's hockey skill development in Canada, at the Centre 21.02.
And with people such as Daniele Sauvageau at the helm, the mastermind behind the Centre 21.02 project, there's a certain glimmer of hope, a real tangible feeling that there's a future for women's hockey in Montreal.
"Montreal is ready to receive a professional team," said Sauvageau. "Les Canadiennes were very popular, and there's no doubt it's part of our business plan."
Sauvageau took it a step further, painting a picture that goes beyond providing role models on the ice.
"To have [young women] come into the rink and say; "One day, I might not be a player, but I might be a coach, I might be a physio, or an administration person, this is what I want to be part of."
How long will hockey fans need to wait before the return of a permanent professional women's hockey team in Montreal?
"It's not if Montreal will have a team," said Sauvageau. "It's when."
Cover photo: Arianne Bergeron