TORONTO – The atmosphere surrounding the National Hockey League All-Star Game in Toronto was conducive to checking whether Marie-Philip Poulin is still serving as a consultant for the Montreal Canadiens in the player development department. The situation deserved clarification.

“I'm still with them, I'm still part of the organization, but my hockey career remains the priority and they understand it,” Poulin explained. When I have time, I try to help, be it by watching videos or talking to staff on the phone.”

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After taking the ice in a 3-on-3 confrontation on Thursday night, Poulin, as well as Ann-Renée Desbiens, Laura Stacey and Erin Ambrose, the four representatives of the Montreal team in Toronto this week, will also soon be at the Scotiabank Arena to return. Home of the Maple Leafs.

As part of the regular activities of the Professional Women's Hockey League (LPHF), a game between Montreal and Toronto is actually scheduled for February 16 in front of a record crowd at the Toronto Amphitheater thanks to a partnership between the women's league and conglomerate Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. We're talking about a capacity of 19,000 spectators!

Help eachother

The Scotiabank Arena will be the third NHL arena to host a regular LPHF game this season, following UBS Arena in New York and the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.

Photo credit: Photo Bruce Bennett / Getty Images via AFP

“We’re seeing a lot more collaboration, whether it’s the Canadiens or the Maple Leafs,” Desbiens noted. In Minnesota, the women's team shares the arena with the Wild. We build good relationships and the goal is to improve the world of hockey in general. If we can help each other in men's hockey and women's hockey, it can only be profitable.

• The Montreal team's next game in the LPHF is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts against the Boston team.