The Montreal team did well at the end-of-season trophy presentation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Tuesday, during which Erin Ambrose was awarded the title of defender of the year, and Maureen Murphy received the Hockey for All award, recognizing community involvement.
Although prestigious, the honor bestowed on Ambrose was relatively predictable. Her reputation preceded her even before the first LPHF matches, and the inaugural season confirmed her offensive and defensive skills, coupled with unfailing durability.
No one, however, was expecting Murphy. First, because no nominations had been announced for the Hockey for All award. And because she had never publicized the many volunteer commitments she has taken on since settling in Montreal before Christmas.
“We don’t do it for recognition, but to have an impact,” the 24-year-old American humbly emphasized by videoconference.
With a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in public health from Northeastern University, Murphy wanted to put her knowledge to use in her adopted city.
She also joined McGill University’s “Best Buddies” program, which puts students in contact with adults with intellectual disabilities.
“My grandmother is in a long-term care facility,” Murphy said Tuesday, explaining her commitment to seniors. “I go visit her when I can, and I hope someone visits her when I’m not there.”
The attacker also humbly admitted that she had sought an environment that did not require her to speak French, and that, due to professional training, she had wanted to familiarize herself with the Canadian health system.
Above all, she sought to “meet people.” To learn about his new environment, but also to counterbalance the “ups and downs” of a daily life dictated by hockey.
Minor detail: in addition to her hockey career and its implications, she also pursued distance studies in law during the winter. Only that.
On training days, “we didn’t finish badly at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.,” she explained. And classes only took place “two evenings a week.”
“It’s a program for professionals who work full time,” she continued. I imagine it’s a lot harder for people who work 9-5 and have to take care of their families afterward. It wasn’t as bad as you might think…”
Erin Ambrose didn’t know Maureen Murphy before they became teammates in Montreal, but the two quickly became close friends. She was thrilled to see her young teammate recognized by the league “for the human being that she is and the impact that she has on people’s lives.”
“Maureen says it’s her dog that makes the difference, but she really makes people’s lives brighter every day,” said the veteran.
We can indeed believe that it deserved a little tip of the hat…
Having just received an individual honor herself, Ambrose seemed to find it oddly convenient to answer questions about Murphy. Because his personal accomplishments are obviously not his favorite subject.
Crowned defender par excellence on the circuit, the quarterback of the Montreal team beat Megan Keller (Boston) and Ella Shelton (New York).
During the season, she also amassed 18 points, which placed her second in the league among defenders. His differential of 5, in eighth place on the circuit, is also intended to reflect his stability in defense.
Highlighting the “honor” done to him, Ambrose recalled that individual trophies sometimes left a “bittersweet” taste for those who win them.
“I would have preferred to win the Walter Cup,” she noted, still shaken by her team’s lightning defeat in the first round.
Consequently, “it will be easy to be motivated this summer! “, she exclaimed.
On a personal level, she remembers from this inaugural season that she learned to be “a good professional” and that she found her “consistency” after a start to the campaign that fell short of her expectations.
In her eyes, the game at the Bell Centre remains the highlight of the last few months. “A monumental moment for women’s hockey.”
“Twenty-one thousand people who come to support us, it’s difficult to sum up in words,” she concluded. I will remember it all my life. »