Press Release
Friday, September 29, 2017
Rookie Aigle Bleue Maëlle Rioux to play for France’s national hockey team
Rioux learned of her invitation to play with the team this week and she says she is very excited to get this opportunity.
“This is an experience I cannot forgo,” Rioux, standing at 5 feet 2 inches said. “This is a fresh start for me. The head coach is offering me a chance and I need to perform.”
There will be about 22 women invited and Rioux wants to have all her cards ready to play. She was a member of France’s national U18 team at the World Championships, in 2013. She also played for the team on two other occasions, in Switzerland and Germany.
“I played well and I did get the call,”she added. “I am excited and I look forward to the experience. I am proud to have the chance to represent my country. I was born and lived in France, but I also lived in Canada. It’s an honour to represent your country of birth.”
Rioux has a good vision of the game and can create plays. She also can pass the puck nicely, is intelligent with the puck and limits the number of errors. Hungry, France, Danemark and South Korea will take part in the 4-Nations Tournament.
Aigles Bleues head coach, Denis Ross, is happy for his player, even if she is going to miss a few games. “This is great for our hockey program,” Ross said. “I am proud for her to get this international hockey experience.”
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