MONTREAL – Jade Downie-Landry and Ann-Sophie Bettez, two graduates from the McGill University women's hockey program, are among the latest slate of former collegiate stars to sign contracts to play in the pro ranks.
 
Both have inked pacts to skate with the new Montreal franchise in the Premier Hockey Federation, previously known as the National Women's Hockey League.
 
They join Kim Deschenes and Alexandra Labelle, both products of the Montreal Carabins, Sarah Lefort (Boston U.), Kristina Shanahan (U. of Vermont) and Brigitte Laganiere (Concordia), each of whom have signed with Montreal, which has not yet announced its team nickname.
 
Downie-Landry, a Dawson College product who hails from St. Jean sur Richelieu, Que., was named last April as the McGill female athlete of the year. The 5-foot-9 centre graduated in 2020 with a bachelor of arts degree and returned to study physical education, concluding a brilliant university career with 93 goals and 204 points in 165 contests overall. The three-time All-Canadian won the Brodrick Trophy last season as the U SPORTS player of the year.
 
Bettez, a native of Sept-Iles, Que., was recruited out of Dawson College and graduated from McGill in 2011 with a commerce degree, majoring in marketing, entrepreneurship and organizational behaviour. She followed that with a certificate in public relations in 2012. Bettez had a prolific five seasons at McGill, where she merited All-Canadian status each year, en route to tallying 148 goals and 323 points in 196 games overall. She won the Brodrick Trophy in 2012 and was named as the McGill female athlete of the year after concluding her stellar university career as McGill's all-time leader in goals, assists and points. She will be inducted to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 20, 2022.
 
Established at the NWHL in 2015, the League rebranded in 2021 to become the PHF. The Federation is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. The PHF recently established a salary cap of $750,000 per team. Public disclosure of player salaries are optional but of those released to date, contracts have ranged from about $14,000 to $65,000, annually, not including signing bonuses.
 
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Info Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
(514) 398-7012