Just over a week into the PWHL season, Ste. Anne's Jocelyne Larocque says she's still smiling ear to ear.  

Toronto selected Larocque second overall in the Professional Women's Hockey League draft back in September. Unfortunately, they lost the first game of the season to New York on Monday, January 1st, but they then regrouped and to beat New York this past Friday. 

Larocque says the first week of play has been a blast. 

“Honestly, it's been spectacular, the fans at all the games, Sportsnet and TSN and everyone picking up the games, the excitement, Toronto's just been buzzing. It's been pretty surreal.” 

She adds “This is the kind of thing that you dream about as a little girl. The fact that we're in it, it's so exciting, and it's been a ton of fun, and the team is gelling, and I've just been smiling ear to ear.” 

The love isn’t only being felt in Toronto. Larocque says with national networks airing games regularly, support has been rolling in from all over the country, including from back home in the Southeast. 

“The response has been great. I've had so many messages from old coaches, old teammates, friends, family, just saying that they're watching and that it's been great and that they've really enjoyed it. It's definitely well received.” 
 

hockey_2023The PWHL season began on January 1st and Toronto has played two games since then. Photo credit: PWHL.

The PWHL season began on January 1st and Toronto has played two games since then. Photo credit: PWHL.

Speaking of support, late last week we told a story featuring Eastman Selects player Cassidy Lesage who is also from Ste. Anne.

Lesage sung her praises for Jocelyne Larocque, saying “It's so inspiring just seeing her on TV, and I've always looked up to her. Growing up in the same town that she did, I heard so many great things about her, and I knew I wanted to be like her. I've always worn the jersey #3, and she's the reason for that.” 

When asked to respond to this admiration, Larocque didn’t quite know what to say. 

“It makes me feel very privileged that I can be an inspiration to others. I remember being that age and looking up to my sister, looking up to all the girls on the national team, so to be that for someone else, I feel very fortunate and it's hard to put into words. It means a lot that I can be an inspiration for someone.” 

In addition, Larocque says “The fact that she could see someone that grew up in her hometown, someone that she wants to be like, it's pretty powerful. There were many girls that I looked up to, I don't say unfortunately, but I also looked up to a lot of boys and it's nice that she had somebody like her that she could look up to. It does mean a lot and thank you for playing that, that made my day.” 

Larocque says her team plays out of the Ford Performance Centre which has beautiful facilities. She notes the whole group is falling into the rhythm of professional hockey.  

“I'm going to video session right away, workouts, on-ice training, everything. It's been good. It's been really busy though, like just with the travel, we just got back from New York and then we leave for Minneapolis. So yeah, It's a lot of fun.” 

Toronto will play Minnesota on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CST. 

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