Maude Poulin-Labelle Explained

Maude Poulin-Labelle
Birth Date:23 November 1999
Birth Place:Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:130
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
League:SDHL
Team:Brynäs IF
Former Teams:Toronto Sceptres
Career Start:2024

Maude Poulin-Labelle (born November 23, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL). She previously played in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) for the Toronto Sceptres.

Early life

Poulin-Labelle was born November 23, 1999, in Sherbrooke, Quebec,[1] to Patrick Labelle and Micheline Poulin.[2] She began playing ice hockey at the age of three, following her older siblings Jeffrey and Marie-Pier into the sport.[3] She played both forward and defence at Stanstead College in Quebec.[4]

Playing career

College

Poulin-Labelle joined the Vermont Catamounts for the 2018–19 Hockey East season.[5] She recorded her first collegiate point with an assist on Ève-Audrey Picard's goal against the Quinnipiac Bobcats on October 12, 2018.[6] Her first goal followed on November 17, as part of Vermont's 3–3 draw against the Boston University Terriers.[7] Poulin-Labelle was named Hockey East's Rookie of the Week on February 4 after scoring the game-winning goal over the Holy Cross Crusaders.[8] She finished her freshman season with five goals and 11 points in 36 games, and was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.[9]

Early into her sophomore season, Poulin-Labelle recorded the first hat-trick by a Vermont defenceman in program history, scoring three goals against the Dartmouth Big Green on October 29, 2019.[10] She was named the Hockey East Player of the Week on January 6 after recording five points in two games.[11] Poulin-Labelle finished the 2019–20 season with 29 points in 36 games, tied for the most on the Catamounts and the most by any defenceman in program history. For her performance, she was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team.[12] The next season, Poulin-Labelle was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team, making her only the third Catamount to receive All-Star honours twice.[13]

As a senior during the 2021–22 season, Poulin-Labelle set a Catamounts record for most points by a defenceman. Her two assists in a 5–2 loss to the New Hampshire Wildcats on December 3 gave her 63 career points, passing Taylor Willard's 62.[14] She was named the Hockey East Player of the Month for December, finishing the month with 66 career points.[15] On January 18, 2022, Poulin-Labelle set a Catamounts record with six points in Vermont's 9–0 rout of Holy Cross, including a natural hat-trick.[16] Poulin-Labelle finished the season with 13 goals and 35 points in 34 games, third among all college defencemen.[17] In addition to receiving CCM/AHCA All-American Second Team honours,[18] Poulin-Labelle was named Hockey East Co-Best Defenseman, sharing the award with Skylar Fontaine of the Northeastern Huskies.[19] In four years with the Catamounts, Poulin-Labelle recorded 30 goals and 80 points.

With one remaining season of college ice hockey eligibility, Poulin-Labelle transferred to Northeastern for the 2022–23 season.[20] She finished the year second among Hockey East defenders with 20 points, including four goals, and was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team once again.[21] Poulin-Labelle finished her college hockey career with 35 goals and 106 points in 155 games.[22]

Professional

The Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) selected Poulin-Labelle in the tenth round, 55th overall, of the 2023 PWHL draft.[23] Before playing a game with Montreal, she was placed on the team's reserve list, where she was claimed by the Toronto Sceptres.[24] As a member of the Sceptres' active roster, Poulin-Labelle played 11 games during the 2023–24 season.[25]

After attending training camp with the Boston Fleet, on December 2, 2024, Poulin-Labelle signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF of the SDHL.[26]

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2018–19Vermont CatamountsHE36 5 6 11 16
2019–20Vermont CatamountsHE36 12 17 29 16
2020–21Vermont CatamountsHE11 1 8 9 2
2021–22Vermont CatamountsHE34 13 22 35 14
2022–23Northeastern HuskiesHE38 4 18 22 8
2023–24Toronto SceptresPWHL11 0 0 0 0
PWHL totals11 0 0 0 0

Awards and honours

AwardYear(s)Ref.
College
All-Hockey East Third Team2020, 2023
All-Hockey East Second Team2021
CCM/AHCA Second-Team All-American2022
Hockey East Best Defenceman2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maude Poulin-Labelle – Stats, Contract, Salary & More . Elite Prospects . December 3, 2024.
  2. Web site: Maude Poulin-Labelle – Women's Ice Hockey . Northeastern Huskies . December 3, 2024.
  3. News: Cornetta . Kat . Vermont transfer Maude Poulin-Labelle has jumped right into the play for Northeastern women's hockey . Boston Globe . January 18, 2023 . December 3, 2024 . subscription.
  4. News: Fundaro . Gabriella . Poulin-Labelle brings offensive instincts, 'Maude things' to Vermont's blue line . At Even Strength . November 22, 2019 . December 3, 2024.
  5. News: Women's Hockey Hosts Mcgill to Open 2018–19 Season . Vermont Catamounts . September 28, 2018 . December 3, 2024.
  6. News: Women's Hockey and Quinnipiac Skate to 1–1 Draw . Vermont Catamounts . October 12, 2018 . December 3, 2024.
  7. News: Picard's Late Goal Leads to a 3–3 Tie at Boston University . Vermont Catamounts . November 17, 2018 . December 3, 2024.
  8. News: Poulin-Labelle Named Hockey East's Rookie of the Week . Vermont Catamounts . February 4, 2019 . December 3, 2024.
  9. News: 31 Student Athletes Named to Hockey East All-Academic Team . Vermont Catamounts . July 11, 2019 . December 3, 2024.
  10. News: Poulin-Labelle's Hat Trick Fuels Women's Hockey in 4–2 Victory Over Dartmouth . Vermont Catamounts . October 29, 2019 . December 3, 2024.
  11. News: Five-Point Week Earns Weekly Honor for Poulin-Labelle . Vermont Catamounts . January 6, 2020 . December 3, 2024.
  12. News: Poulin-Labelle Named a Hockey East All-Star by League's Coaches . Vermont Catamounts . March 5, 2020 . December 3, 2024.
  13. News: Poulin-Labelle Named Hockey East All-Star for Second Straight Year . Vermont Catamounts . February 27, 2021 . December 3, 2024.
  14. News: Poulin-Labelle Sets Program Record in 5–2 Loss at UNH . Vermont Catamounts . December 3, 2021 . December 3, 2024.
  15. News: Blais-Savoie and Poulin-Labelle Receive Hockey East Monthly Awards . Vermont Catamounts . January 4, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  16. News: Poulin-Labelle Leads Historic Offensive Output in Rout of Holy Cross . Vermont Catamounts . January 18, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  17. News: Schafzahl Named Division I Women's MVP by New England Hockey Writers Association . Vermont Catamounts . April 25, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  18. News: Schafzahl and Poulin-Labelle Named CCM/AHCA All-Americans . Vermont Catamounts . March 17, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  19. News: Hockey East Names Women's Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team . Hockey East . February 24, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  20. News: Huskies Add Vermont Transfer Poulin-Labelle . Northeastern Huskies . May 16, 2022 . December 3, 2024.
  21. News: Eight Huskies Earn Hockey East All-Star Accolades, Philips Named Goaltender of the Year . Northeastern Huskies . February 24, 2023 . December 3, 2024.
  22. News: Poulin-Labelle Signs with Connecticut Whale . Northeastern Huskies . May 31, 2023 . December 3, 2024.
  23. News: Hayden . Zoe . PWHL Draft Recap: Montreal . The Victory Press . September 22, 2023 . December 3, 2024.
  24. News: Ganter . Mike . Toronto 'great fit' for Poulin-Labelle after move from PWHL Montreal . Toronto Sun . December 13, 2023 . December 3, 2024.
  25. News: Benwell . Cee . Boston Adds Several Intriguing Players to Training Camp Roster . The Hockey News . Sports Illustrated . October 13, 2024 . December 3, 2024.
  26. News: Kennedy . Ian . Bujold and Poulin-Labelle Both Ink Contracts In Sweden . The Hockey News . Sports Illustrated . December 2, 2024 . December 3, 2024.