The CWHL’s Calgary Inferno have acquired goaltender Geneviève Lacasse from the Boston Blades, finishing off a trade that started with the Inferno moving national team defenseman Tara Watchorn to the Blades in 2014.
Lacasse has spent time with the national team as well, and was often the backbone of the Blades in a very trying season. The Blades reeled from the loss of players to the NWHL’s Boston Pride and were unable to compete with the CWHL’s other four teams.
“After the season ended, [Lacasse] expressed to me that she has a job opportunity in Calgary and that’s where she kind of wanted to land,” said Boston general manager Krista Patronick. “Hockey is one of those things where you have to find a way for it to fit into your life, but you also have to prioritize. A job is important for her, especially where she can build a resume and prepare for life after hockey, which is something you have to consider.”
“While it is always a sad occasion for any team to lose a player of the caliber of Genevieve, the CWHL and its teams are committed to supporting the off-ice careers and aspirations of our talented athletes and ensuring they continue to have the opportunity to play hockey at the highest level,” said CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress, according to SB Nation.
While last season was difficult, Lacasse was also with the club during some good years, helping the Blades win the Clarkson Cup during the 2012-13 and 2014-15 season. She was named CWHL Goaltender of the Year in 2013, and was decorated during her four seasons at Providence College prior to joining the CWHL. For a team that still has work to get back to their prior form, the loss of Lacasse is difficult.
The Blades drafted five goaltenders during the 2016 draft, including Clarkson’s Lauren Dah, Sacred Heart’s Amanda Fontaine and Buffalo State’s Sarah Quigley. Also in the mix for the starting job in Boston are last season’s backup goaltender Amanda Cariddi and Shelley Payne, who played in Europe the last couple seasons.
For the Inferno, they now sport some serious depth in net with Lacasse, Delayne Brian, and 2016 first-round draft pick Emerance Maschmeyer.
