The task was pretty simple. With four games left, the Montréal Force needed to win out their remaining schedule to punch their ticket to the playoffs in their inaugural season. However, on Saturday, February 25th, as the final seconds ticked away, the Montréal Force fell 3-1 to a determined and free-playing Buffalo Beauts team. Beauts star Miklya Grant-Mentis scored two goals and lifted the basement dwellers to an improbable road win to the delight of the Beauts fans in attendance. La Force was officially eliminated from the 2023 Premier Hockey League playoffs.
In their inaugural season in the PHF, La Force de Montréal finished with an 8-14-2 record, good enough for sixth place in the league standings. La Force forward Taylor Baker walked back to the locker room, devastated by what had happened. Fast forward a few months, and the Toronto native has decided to re-sign with the team and finish what they started.
“I am really excited for the season,” Baker told me during a phone call last month. “We have a really good team lined up, so I am excited to get back to Montreal and get going.”
The Montréal Force has been one of the top two clubs in free agency, re-signing key players like Samatha Isbell, Ann-Sophie Bettez, and Brooke Stacy, to name a few. They also went out and signed former Boston Pride goaltender Corinne Schroeder to stabilize the backend after her impressive rookie season with the Pride.
In the offseason, La Force President Kevin Raphaël has brought back leadership and some fresh faces. It sends the message the team means business and falling just short of a playoff spot in year one. I questioned Baker about her sense of the busy offseason for the team and the acquisitions made and bringing back the key players necessary for a good season ahead.
“I think that obviously last year was our first year, this year we are going into it a lot more experienced and I am looking forward to getting to play with the new players and I am excited to see the talent.”
Baker admits she handled free agency with an agent, but the thought never crossed her mind that she wouldn’t be playing for the Montréal Force next season.
“It wasn’t really a thought to me that I wasn’t going to be able to go back to Montréal, and I think it was expected a little bit before, and obviously, I excelled there last year, and I am excited to get back there and work with the team and the staff.”
Baker had interest from other teams but had her heart set on returning to Montreal.
“I ultimately chose Montréal not just because of the offer but also being known there with the team and the management, and I wanted to go back and work with the same group, and I have a lot of faith in the team.”
Baker is originally from Toronto but of Hungarian heritage and played for Hungary at the 2023 IIHF Women’s Worlds Hockey Championship in Brampton, Ontario.
“My experience with the Hungarian national team was awesome with a solid group of players with a strong culture and were growing a lot, and we keep developing.”
Hungary has been in Division 1 since 2019, and they actually finished the tournament with a record of 1-3 and finished in ninth place, just ahead of France. Dabasi Reka led the team during the tournament with three goals and one assist.
“Being from Toronto and playing in Brampton was really nice because a lot of my friends and family were able to come out and watch us, and as a country, we have a lot of fans.”
Fanni Garàt-Gasparics, a fellow Hungarian, actually posted on Instagram during the tournament offering tickets to anyone wanting to watch Hungary play in the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship.
“I think playing at the Worlds is just an awesome experience no matter what, and competing with the Hungarian national team is fun, and we want to prove that we can be there and we have the talent”.
“We were pushing to make the upcoming Olympics in Italy, so it’s a big goal for me personally and the team, so it’s exciting to get there, and the energy of the team is such a good vibe.”
I implored Baker about the expectations going into next season, and the fact that they were so close to making it in their inaugural season only proves this team has what it takes to go far.
“I think the expectations every year on every team is to do as best as you can and obviously the goal is to win so I think we are going to do our best and build a culture and a team that can hopefully come home with a cup”.
Baker played the inaugural season for the Montréal Force while she was a full-time University student getting her MBA. She traveled between La Force and Toronto every week for classes.
“I am done with my MBA this summer, so I won’t be back and forth as much, and obviously, my family is from Toronto so I like to see them when I get my chances, and last year I was really grateful for the opportunity to do both.”
I asked her if she has been in touch with head coach Peter Smith and she told me he has been keeping tabs on everyone so far.
“We have talked a few times, and it’s good to keep in touch and he always stays in touch with his players, and it’s nice to see how he is and how everyone is doing, and obviously wants to make sure we are doing well.”
Baker will spend the summer in Toronto training while also working and completing school and says she will make the to Montreal once in a while.
“No crazy plans, just training and getting ready for the upcoming season.”
While Baker was excited to see a Canadian team hoist the Isobel Cup for the first time in league history, Baker hopes Montreal will have their chance in 2023-24.
“I am glad they won, but we are going to win it next year.”