photo: Matt Zambonin/IIHF
Laure Meriguet is a unique presence in Cape Breton during these U18 Women’s World Championships. Even though she is only 17 years old, she is the only player here who has senior Women’s Worlds experience, and she is also the only player who will be playing in the Olympics next month.
And if all goes as planned and she steps on the ice on 6 February with her Swiss teammates to face Czechia, she will be the 10th youngest player ever to have competed in all three women’s events.
As for Cape Breton, she is also appearing in her record-tying fourth WW18, at which she first competed in 2023 at the tender age of 14.
What makes her exceptional? Why does coach Patrick Fischer want her in Milano?
“I think he likes my physical play,” Meriguet offered. “I play with the boys, so I am used to checking and tough play. I have the experience for this.”
Indeed, Meriguet has played with “the boys” for several years. This might not be a big deal when a girl is 12 or 13, but 16- and 17-year-old boys are a different breed altogether foir a young women of 16 or 17. And Meriguet, who is 5’8”, 143 lbs/1.73m, 65kg, is not small, so when she steps on the ice in Swiss league action, she is in for a physical battle every night.
Meriguet’s invitation to the Olympics was improbably bittersweet. “I was on the train. Colin Muller called me, and I answered. It was the first of January, and I was very upset because of what had happened in Switzerland at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana. I was sad, but that news made me smile a little.”
The clash of emotions was jarring to Meriguet. The Olympics is a dream for every athlete, but the thought of 40 lives lost on New Year’s Eve, in her home country, was difficult to comprehend.
When Meriguet played her first WW18, she was a child, but now she feels like a leader, someone who can show the younger players how to prepare for games, how to succeed at this event.
“Yes, I think I have become a leader,” she admits with a shy smile. “I am the first of our group to play at the World Championship. Off ice, I try to talk a lot, to help the younger girls. On ice, I try to play physically.”
Last year, Meriguet also played at the senior Women’s Worlds. She skated in all five games and recorded one assist, and the team finished an impressive fifth. She understands her role at the two events is different.
“I have to play my game and be physical at the Women's Worlds, but here I have to do more,” she explained. “I have to lead. It's different. At the senior tournament, I tried to think about playing with the boys. The senior players skate very fast, but I think I was able to keep up.”
Milano is less than four weeks away, but Meriguet is experienced and grounded. That time will come, but for now the Swiss have a U18 tournament to play.
“It's amazing news to go to the Olympics, but first I have to stay focused on the Under-18 World Championship. I still have to lead and give my maximum effort and stay focused. After this, I will start to think about the Olympics.”
And if all goes as planned and she steps on the ice on 6 February with her Swiss teammates to face Czechia, she will be the 10th youngest player ever to have competed in all three women’s events.
As for Cape Breton, she is also appearing in her record-tying fourth WW18, at which she first competed in 2023 at the tender age of 14.
What makes her exceptional? Why does coach Patrick Fischer want her in Milano?
“I think he likes my physical play,” Meriguet offered. “I play with the boys, so I am used to checking and tough play. I have the experience for this.”
Indeed, Meriguet has played with “the boys” for several years. This might not be a big deal when a girl is 12 or 13, but 16- and 17-year-old boys are a different breed altogether foir a young women of 16 or 17. And Meriguet, who is 5’8”, 143 lbs/1.73m, 65kg, is not small, so when she steps on the ice in Swiss league action, she is in for a physical battle every night.
Meriguet’s invitation to the Olympics was improbably bittersweet. “I was on the train. Colin Muller called me, and I answered. It was the first of January, and I was very upset because of what had happened in Switzerland at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana. I was sad, but that news made me smile a little.”
The clash of emotions was jarring to Meriguet. The Olympics is a dream for every athlete, but the thought of 40 lives lost on New Year’s Eve, in her home country, was difficult to comprehend.
When Meriguet played her first WW18, she was a child, but now she feels like a leader, someone who can show the younger players how to prepare for games, how to succeed at this event.
“Yes, I think I have become a leader,” she admits with a shy smile. “I am the first of our group to play at the World Championship. Off ice, I try to talk a lot, to help the younger girls. On ice, I try to play physically.”
Last year, Meriguet also played at the senior Women’s Worlds. She skated in all five games and recorded one assist, and the team finished an impressive fifth. She understands her role at the two events is different.
“I have to play my game and be physical at the Women's Worlds, but here I have to do more,” she explained. “I have to lead. It's different. At the senior tournament, I tried to think about playing with the boys. The senior players skate very fast, but I think I was able to keep up.”
Milano is less than four weeks away, but Meriguet is experienced and grounded. That time will come, but for now the Swiss have a U18 tournament to play.
“It's amazing news to go to the Olympics, but first I have to stay focused on the Under-18 World Championship. I still have to lead and give my maximum effort and stay focused. After this, I will start to think about the Olympics.”