Marie-Philip Poulin Could Play in the NHL Someday
30-year-old women’s hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin has never failed to impress. In 2022, Poulin showed off her abilities again in the Olympics. Captain of Team Canada, Poulin led her country to gold. In just seven games, Poulin scored six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, including two goals in Canda’s 3-2 victory of the United States in the Gold Medal Game. Following Poulin’s incredible performance, she had an encounter that could change the hockey world forever. Marc-Andre Bergeron wanted Poulin to try to take on a new challenge: men’s hockey.
Bergeron is the General Manager of the Trois-Rivieres Lions, an ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. Bergeron seemed confident that Poulin could hold her ground in North America’s third-highest professional hockey league. If she did, she would have the opportunity to try to work her away up to the AHL, and maybe even the NHL.
The fact that Poulin was even mentioned for this opportunity is incredible. Manon Rheaume is the only other woman to challenge the gender barrier. Rheaume played goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 1992 preseason game. Poulin was just one-year-old when Rheamue appeared in that game. Now, Poulin is the only woman since to be in discussion to receive such an opportunity.
However, Poulin declined the offer. Poulin believed that she should stick with women’s hockey, at least for the time being. So, she remains loyal to the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and will continue to dominate women’s hockey. However, Poulin did not eliminate all possibility of playing men’s hockey. Like any hockey player, Poulin’s abilities will likely regress in her 30s. So it feels like the time is now to challenge the gender barrier. But, if Poulin ever decides to make that decision, she has at least one NHL franchise’s interest.
Maybe someday Poulin will make the jump. But even if she doesn’t, she has been a true inspiration to the entire hockey community. Hopefully, whether it’s Poulin or not, a woman will appear in a regular-season NHL contest soon.
Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others
