While Montreal looks to fill their remaining roster spots at training camp, they're also playing with line combinations. As well, Abby Boreen is balancing her distance studies with her first full season in the league.
The Montreal Victoire are on the ice at training camp. Injuries are an early storyline plaguing the Victoire with Kennedy Marchment and Dominika Laskova confirmed to be out for the start of the season, and Cayla Barnes, Catherine Dubois, and Amanda Boulier as question marks.
The other stories coming out of Montreal include Abby Boreen's studies, and a rookie jumping to the top line alongside Marie-Philip Poulin.
Poulin, Stacey and Ljungblom on the top line
Talking about the team’s captain, Poulin was used with Laura Stacey and the top Swedish player last season, Lina Ljungblom. When asked about when she had the idea to put the three of them together, Kori Cheverie said it was actually a long time ago.
“Maybe back when we drafted her 90th overall. We were like ‘where can she fit?’ But her World Championship performance was something that we obviously watched and tracked quite heavily.”
Both Laura Stacey and Erin Ambrose played against Ljungblom with Team Canada and they were really happy to see her becoming their teammate.
“We have a lot to learn from her, and hopefully she will learn little things from us," said Stacey. "And it's by using all our strength that we'll be able to do something special on the ice.”
“Lina did a lot of damage against Canada. Every time I see No. 25 when I'm wearing the Canadian jersey, I pay special attention," mentioned Erin Ambrose. "To have her on our team is pretty amazing. Her shot is incredible, but so is her level of combativeness."
Ljungblom, who scored 31 goals in 46 games with MoDo last season, including the playoffs, impressed a lot of members of the press with her fluent English and her ease at answering questions, even with a group of 20 journalists in front of her.
“I felt really good playing with Marie-Philip and Laura,” the 23-year-old said. "They are some of the best players in the world, so I’m super honoured to be able to play with them. It’s a good experience for me.”
Boreen, still studying
The other huge acquisition Montreal add to their roster since the end of last season is forward Abby Boreen. A lot of things have been said about her will to stay in Minnesota in order to be able to continue her studies.
Boreen gave more details about that process.
“I’m still a pharmacy student at the University of Minnesota. So, I got to work with my professors and they have allowed me to do it online and have a proctor here for exams. That way, I’m credible as far as being in pharmacy and it allows me to pursue my dream of playing hockey. When Danièle drafted me, she said that she was going to do everything in her power to allow me to keep doing school and hockey and that is why I’m here. So, I’m super grateful to her and the organization.”
She also mentioned that she has about a year and a half left in her studies there.
In other news, Kori Cheverie said that with more games in the regular season, the ratio of games between her goalies has not been decided yet.
“We have plans in mind on what we want to go with. Ann-Renee just came off a pretty solid Rivalry Series, so she’s in a great place. And Chuli had obviously a great first year last year. There are more games this year, so we will see how those get allocated, but everyone will get an opportunity.”