As well as wearing a precious gold medal around her neck, Éloïse Caron witnessed an extremely rare moment: being in the front row as Marie-Philip Poulin’s record was broken.
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Regarded by many as one of the best, if not the best, hockey players in the world, Poulin left his mark everywhere.
But on Sunday, in Östersund, Sweden, the one who scored at least one goal in four Olympic finals saw one of her records at the Women’s U18 Ice Hockey World Championship fall.
Ontario’s Caitlin Kraemer scored four times against the Swedes for a total of ten goals during the competition. Poulin had eight at the 2008 World Cup.
“Caitlin is a really good player and a good person off the ice,” says Caron, not surprised to see her perform like this. I am very happy for her. She really helped us throughout the tournament. »
Kraemer also scored the fastest hat-trick in event history by moving the strings three times in the first leg in 6:44.
“You never know, but I wish her career would be like Marie-Philip’s. It would be amazing for her. To say I had the chance to play with her would be fun,” says Caron.
Photo courtesy of Ann Richer
The Quebecer kisses the championship trophy at the World Women’s Hockey Under-18 World Cup in Östersund, Sweden.
new role
The latter scored one goal, received six penalty minutes and finished the competition with a +3 difference.
“I was able to bring things to the table that I don’t normally bring to my regular team. I think having been used in multiple roles will help me. »
“I’m more of a scorer and goalscorer with the Titans [du Cégep Limoilou, à Québec], but at the Worlds I was used more in powerplay and shorthanded roles. I had fewer points, but I played well all over the ice,” analyzes the author of 11 nets and 19 points in his first 20 encounters with the Titans, which will honor him on Friday night at the Arpidrome in Charlesbourg.
Whether in the third line or in special teams, Caron enjoyed her world championship title to the full at the age of 17.
“To talk about it again gives me goosebumps. It was truly an unforgettable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I’m still on cloud nine,” says the athlete from Saint-Hyacinthe.
With his parents
A clear 10-0 win in the final against the exhausted Swedes after beating the Americans certainly can’t hurt.
And these beautiful moments, Caron had the opportunity to experience them with his parents, Nicolas and Ann, who made the trip.
“They deserve the medal as much as I do with all the sacrifices they made,” admits the teenager, who also works with Quebec players Alexia Aubin, a forward who scored twice in the final, and Arianne Leblanc, a goalkeeper. celebrated.