Stars Second-Round Pick Katia Clement-Heydra Continues Proud Martlets Tradition

Selected eighth overall in the 2015 CWHL Draft, Katia Clement-Heydra continues the proud tradition of McGill Martlets joining the Montreal Stars. Of note, she was one of three Martlets players, selected this season, including fourth-round pick Leslie Oles (who played with the Stars from 2007-10) and sixth-round pick Michelle Daigneault.

Of note, Clement-Hedyra, a native of St. Bruno de Montarville who attended the College Edouard-Montpetit, was part of a second round that consisted of three Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) stars being drafted. Selected ahead of her by the Toronto Furies was Laura Brooker from the Laurier Golden Hawks, while Hayley Wickenheiser of the Calgary Dinos went ninth overall, staying home with the Inferno.

“I am super excited to have this opportunity to play at the highest level. It will be a chance to play with my friends. This is something I always wanted to do, especially to be part of this organization.

I have to work hard to make my place on the team. It will be exciting to see what the level of play is like and the adjustment. I want to help bring back the Clarkson Cup home during my first season.”

In the aftermath of the 2013-14 CIS season, Clement-Heydra earned the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Canadian university women’s hockey player; the Brodrick Trophy. Of note, her win marked the third straight season that a Martlets player earned the nod. Ann-Sophie Bettez captured the honor in 2012, followed by Melodie Daoust in 2013. Former Clarkson Cup champion Kim St. Pierre was the first Martlet to win it, back in 2003.

During that magical season, Clement-Heydra also helped Canada capture a gold medal in women’s ice hockey at the Winter Universiade in Trentino, Italy. She would not only finish second in CIS national scoring with 40 points (averaging two points per game), she would help the Martlets capture the 2014 national championship in an emotional win against the Montreal Carabins, which saw her record 15 playoff points. As a side note, she was a finalist for the 2014 BLG Award.

Graduating with an astounding 298 career points, Clement-Heydra, also a 2015 RSEQ First Team All-Star nod, is third on the Martlets all-time leading scoring list. As a side note, fellow Stars draft pick Leslie Oles finished with 293 career points. Clement-Heydra’s 121 goals rank fourth in program history while her 177 assists rank second. She would share the Martlets Most Dedicated Player trophy in 2015 with Adrienne Crampton.

Possessing such strong numbers, Clement-Heydra is poised to duplicate such success with the Stars. On a team that already features remarkable star power, Clement-Heydra should be a perfect fit, bringing her strong playmaking abilities and smooth scoring touch to a team that missed the impact of Martlets alum Vinny Davidson during the past season.

Currently, three of the Stars franchise players proudly boast McGill roots. Cathy Chartrand, who served as a team captain at McGill, succeeded Stars founder Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux as captain. In 2014, Ann-Sophie Bettez (who won the BLG Award at McGill) captured the Angela James Bowl, while goaltender Charline Labonte has appeared in two Clarkson Cup championship games.

Having been able to call everyone one of them teammates with the Martlets, she is familiar with their status as hockey superstars. The chance to renew such an opportunity with the Stars and become teammates again is one that Clement-Heydra is excited about,

“Of course. We are Martlets for life. To play with them again is awesome and I am looking forward to it. I am not surprised that they are doing so well. The opportunity to play with them again is exciting. They are such great teammates and I hope to follow in their footsteps and make my mark.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Image obtained from: http://publications.mcgill.ca