PWHL Montreal's Mélodie Daoust retires, trading skates for coach’s whistle

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She was an MVP at the Olympics, an all-star gold-medal “collector” at the world championships and Olympics, an original member of Montreal’s Professional Women’s Hockey League roster, and a dream chaser.

So it was with a heavy heart that 32-year-old Mélodie Daoust announced on Tuesday that her competitive playing days are over, as she trades skates for a coach’s whistle at Collège Bourget in Rigaud, a private high school.

“I am filled with pride for the milestones achieved and the dreams I was able to make my reality,” Daoust shared on the X platform. “From the thrill of stepping onto the ice in the inaugural PWHL season to the honour of representing Canada at worlds and three Olympic Games, each moment has left an unforgettable mark on my life.”

During her time on the Canadian women’s roster, the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield native had four goals and nine points in 13 games across three Winter Olympic appearances along with six goals and 16 points in 14 games at the women’s world championship.

This season with PWHL Montreal, she had three goals and two assists in six games. She also had 11 goals and 12 assists with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s Montreal Stars and Canadiennes and played six seasons with McGill University, its last one as its captain.

“Hockey has been my compass for 32 years, guiding me through life’s many twists and turns, reinforcing a work ethic in me that I witnessed every day as a kid from my parents working on our family farm back home in Valleyfield.”

Daoust said the women’s game is “shining brighter than ever” and she now wants to inspire the next generation of players as a coach and motivator.

“I am emotional to put this book down because boy, was it one of my favourites, but I can’t wait to pick up the next one and start writing a new story,” Daoust wrote.

“I am looking forward to being behind the bench at Collège Bourget this upcoming season.”