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Marie-Philip Poulin declines ECHL offer, pledges to grow women’s hockey

After her heroics in the gold medal game at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Canadian women’s hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin’s phone was likely blowing up with congratulatory text messages, calls and social media mentions.

But one thing she could not have been expecting was an unlikely job offer to play in a professional men’s league.

In an interview with french-language newspaper Le Nouvelliste, Trois-Rivières Lions general manager Marc-André Bergeron confirmed that he had extended an offer to Poulin to play for the ECHL club following her impressive Olympic tournament.

“I played with her, I know what she is capable of,” he told Le Nouvelliste. “I saw like everyone else what she still offered in her performance at the Olympics. I think she could hold her own with us.”

Bergeron and Poulin took to the ice together in a charity event several years ago.

Marie-Philip Poulin of Team Canada celebrates with a gold medal after defeating the United States in the women's hockey final at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Marie-Philip Poulin of Team Canada celebrates with a gold medal after defeating the United States in the women's hockey final at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Poulin reportedly declined the offer, pledging her allegiance to the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association. Her agent, Olivier Fortier, confirmed that she would not be joining the Lions in a statement to Le Nouvelliste.

“Marie-Philip has dedicated her career to the development and advancement of women’s hockey. She intends to continue her work of persuading [others] so that there will be a professional women’s hockey league,” he said. “Marie-Philip has no intention of joining Trois-Rivières Lions, but invites them to join her and the hundreds of players who wish to promote female talent in Canada.”

Poulin’s two goals, including the eventual game-winner, lifted Canada to a 3-2 win over the United States in Thursday’s epic gold medal game, bringing her tally to seven goals scored in her four Olympic final appearances. The 30-year-old is the only player, male or female, to score in four gold medal games, having also notched the winners in 2010 and 2014.

“I’m just going to enjoy this moment with my teammates and then go from there,” Poulin said following her latest Olympic triumph.

The Beauceville, Quebec native last played with boys in her youth, eventually earning training camp invitations from the Victoriaville Tigres and Terrebonne Cobras of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. She rejected the offers, having already committed to Boston University.

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