Shiann Darkangelo Looks to Keep Building in Montréal

Last week, the Montréal Victoire faced off against the Ottawa Charge for the first time this season. For Victoire forward Shiann Darkangelo, it was the first contest against the team she left in free agency last summer.

Up to that game, Darkangelo had just one goal in 10 games with Montréal. But up against her former teammates, she came out hot, tallying a goal and an assist in the first period, and securing a 2-1 win for the Victoire. Straightforward in her approach and mentality, she's not one to say it was a revenge game, but she did concede she was happy to put out that performance against her former team.

"I think every game you kind of approach the same," Darkangelo said, speaking in a recent interview. "But obviously it feels a little bit better when it's against a team that you played for before."

Last season, the 32-year-old scored eight goals and added nine assists in 29 games played with the Charge. While she hasn't yet seen the same results in Montréal, Darkangelo's been a reliable second-line centre for coach Kori Cheverie as she plays around with the lineup. It's been a period of transition to start the season, but the American forward is happy to see some results coming through.

"I think it's all been building," Darkangelo said. "Since the beginning of the season, we're moving lines around, trying to find combinations and things like that. So I'm just focusing on having a presence out there and being a power forward, getting shots on net. Focusing on my skill and what I can bring to whoever I'm playing with."

The PWHL may still be in its infancy, but Darkangelo's professional hockey career dates back over a decade, with stints in the NWHL, CWHL, and PHF. Coming into a Montréal team loaded with veterans, Darkangelo has embraced a role in helping that leadership group guide some of the younger players.

“It's nice that they've already kind of set a tone and have a culture. I respect those players, so that definitely makes it easier on me," Darkangelo said. "You know, there were people before me that made it easy coming in as a young player. So just trying to lead by example, maybe pick someone up when they're down, go get coffee with someone, just to help those young kids out of college feel more confident in themselves and not so nervous. Little things that people have done before me, I'm just trying to do that for the next generation."

Natálie Mlýnková and Lina Ljungblom are two young players who have gotten looks on Darkangelo's wing this season. Their age differences might not matter as much on the ice, but Darkangelo still takes a guiding role for the two young players looking to break through in this tough league.

“They're both great people," she said. "They're younger, but when you're on a team or on a line, hockey's kind of the same. You don't really think about age and stuff. So I just try and communicate the best I can, making them play their best and keeping things light so that nobody's overthinking, and we're just playing and having fun.”

Mlýnková and Ljungblom are just two players who could potentially occupy a permanent winger spot next to Darkangelo in the team's top-six. Cheverie hasn't yet landed on the winning combination, but Darkangelo is confident they're on the right track.

“I feel like we’re heading in the right direction,” she said. “In this league, every night you’re playing for points and things can change drastically. So it’s just kind of sticking to our game plan, focusing on what we’re doing ... and good things will continue to happen for this group.”

The Victoire are back in action on Saturday afternoon, once again playing host to the Charge.