The Montreal Force announced the signing of four more players - Élizabeth Giguère, Corinne Schroeder, Ann-Sophie Bettez, and Alexandra Labelle.
The Montreal Force announced the signing of four more players - Élizabeth Giguère, Corinne Schroeder, Ann-Sophie Bettez, and Alexandra Labelle.
The Montreal Force have officially announced the signing of Élizabeth Giguère and Corinne Schroeder, who both join the team from the Boston Pride.
The duo were long rumored to be signing with the Force, an acquisition which is now official. Schroeder was named the PHF's Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year after posting an eye popping 19-1-0 record alongside a 1.67 GAA and .955 save percentage.
“Thrilled to be joining La Force de Montreal next season and taking the next step in my professional career," said Schroeder in a press release. "Montreal is such an amazing city and I am grateful to play in front of such passionate fans. The team and staff have been super welcoming already and I look forward to building upon the Force’s impressive inaugural season.”
Giguère appeared with the Canadian senior national team as a member of the Rivalry Series this season and is a former Patty Kazmaier winner as the NCAA's top player. She scored more than a point-per-game as a rookie in the league recording 22 points in 18 games with the Pride. For Giguère, who is a product of Quebec, the signing is a return to her home state.
“To say I’m excited to be back playing in Canada is an understatement," said Giguère in a team news release. "La Force is such a great organization and I have no doubt we will make an impact in the league this year. I am looking forward to starting this season while playing close to home in front of all my friends and family again.”
“Élizabeth is a spark plug on the ice and can become the motor of our offense," said team president Kevin Raphael. "I believe our team structure and system of play will allow her to do more this season. We are very happy to have her with us for the next year. As for Corinne, she is an outstanding young goalie. It’s not every day that we can attract athletes who have broken records like she has. She has all of the intangibles to perform and integrate well into the city of Montreal.”
Also back with the Force is captain Ann-Sophie Bettez. Bettez, 35, scored 22 points in 23 games for the Force. Prior to joining Montreal, she spent three seasons with the PWHPA and played seven seasons with the Montreal Stars and Montreal Canadiennes in the CWHL. In 2019, Bettez represented Canada's senior national team at the World Championships.
The final signing announced by the Force was forward Alexandra Labelle. Labelle had 13 points in 24 games in her first season with the Force after spending two seasons in the PWHPA. Labelle also represented Canada internationally at the U-18 Worlds.
The signings come days after Montreal announced their first offseason acquisitions signing USports All-Stars Audrey-Anne Veillette and Rosalie Bégin-Cyr, as well as the re-signing of last year's leading scorer Jade Downie-Landry and blueliner Brigitte Laganière.
Montreal now has eight players announced under contract for next season, with the pieces of an impressive core in place.