Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Canada goalie Desbiens' status for worlds unclear

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Monday, 31 March 2025 16:36

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Victoire are confident Ann-Renee Desbiens will return to action in the near future.

Whether that's soon enough to suit up between the pipes for Canada at the women's world hockey championships still needs to be determined.

"It's the type of injury that needs day-to-day and week-to-week monitoring," Victoire general manager Daniele Sauvageau said Monday at Verdun Auditorium. "A lot of things can improve."

Desbiens -- Canada's No. 1 goalie -- was named to the national team's world championship roster despite sustaining what appeared to be a serious lower-body injury March 18 in the Victoire's 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Fleet.

The league-leading Victoire retroactively placed Desbiens on long-term injured reserve, keeping her out for a minimum of 21 days from March 18.

The 30-year-old from Quebec, however, skated in full gear for about half an hour before the Victoire practiced Monday. It was her third time on the ice since the injury.

"To see her leave the ice with help from two teammates, you never want to see that," said Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the Victoire and Canada. "She looked like she was in a lot of pain. Really happy to see the recovery is going quicker than we thought it would."

Sauvageau said there's still time to determine Desbiens' availability before Canada opens defense of its world title April 10 versus Finland in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.

All signs point to Desbiens joining Montreal teammates Poulin, Laura Stacey, Jennifer Gardiner, Kristin O'Neill and Erin Ambrose on a flight to Czechia on Wednesday or Thursday for Canada's pre-camp.

"It's progressing well, so there's nothing that says she won't be able to keep progressing while participating in Canada's camp," Sauvageau said. "We'll see once we're at that date (April 10) whether she's ready to be a full participant in the world championships."

Sauvageau also said medical teams from the Victoire, PWHL and Hockey Canada would work together with Desbiens to reach a decision.

"Everybody wants the player to be healthy," she said. "No one wants to take risks in any of those federations. If she does go, obviously I trust that she's going to be well-treated."

Canada is already down regular goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer, who was placed on long-term injury reserve by the Ottawa Charge after she sustained a lower-body injury in a March 11 game.

Toronto Sceptres goalie Kristen Campbell and 21-year-old Eve Gascon, who plays for the University of Minnesota Duluth, were the other netminders named to Canada's roster.

Desbiens backstopped Canada to gold at the 2022 Olympics and three world championships, including last year's triumph over the Americans in Utica, N.Y.

This season, she leads the PWHL in wins (13), save percentage (.932) and goals-against average (1.85).

"She's been in great spirits, honestly, since (the injury)," Ambrose said. "It's nice to have that as a little bit of a relief. She's the best goalie in the world, so obviously here in Montreal, world championships, we want her there."

The Victoire signed goaltender Tricia Deguire to a standard player agreement while Desbiens remains out.

Montreal (11-6-3-6) clinched a playoff spot with last week's 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost and has four games remaining in the regular season.

Read 15 times

Soccer

Barça wrong to register Olmo, Víctor - LaLiga

Barça wrong to register Olmo, Víctor - LaLiga

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaLiga say Barcelona have never had the salary space to register Da...

Spurs' Postecoglou: I hope Pochettino returns

Spurs' Postecoglou: I hope Pochettino returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has said he does not feel "disrespe...

Saka's return provides a glimmer of hope in Arsenal's injury-riddled season

Saka's return provides a glimmer of hope in Arsenal's injury-riddled season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- The expectation on Bukayo Saka to revive Arsenal's season...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Budenholzer back in Milwaukee, calls run 'great'

Budenholzer back in Milwaukee, calls run 'great'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't have much time to wax no...

Bucks catch fire, shoot highest FG% this century

Bucks catch fire, shoot highest FG% this century

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo told his Milwaukee Bucks teammat...

Baseball

Sources: Padres' Merrill lands $135M extension

Sources: Padres' Merrill lands $135M extension

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe San Diego Padres and All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill have a...

Dodgers' 7-0 start ties 1933 Yanks as May returns

Dodgers' 7-0 start ties 1933 Yanks as May returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The first seven games of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 20...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated