Carolyne Prevost finds scoring rhythm as she adds exciting new dimension to Toronto Furies offense

A November 23 tilt with the Brampton Thunder was more than just another chapter in The Battle of Toronto. It would mark the first pair of goals that free agent pickup Carolyne Prevost would log with the Toronto Furies. Having found her scoring touch in the 4-2 win over the Thunder, it should foreshadow many more sterling scoring performances this season.

After Tara French scored on the power play in the first period, the Furies faced a 1-0 deficit after one period of play. Less than 38 seconds into the second period, Prevost would change the momentum of the game with her first goal as a Furies competitor. A power play marker tied the score, with assists going to Furies captain Kori Cheverie and second-overall 2013 CWHL Draft pick Katie Wilson. Of note, it was Wilson’s first career CWHL point. 

The 8:11 mark of the second would find Prevost providing the blue and white with their first lead of the game. Michelle Bonello (who is making her CWHL comeback) earned the assist on Prevost’s goal as the period expired with the momentum clearly in Toronto’s favor.

Third period goals by Lisa Mullan and Kelly Zamora were scored within 36 seconds of each other, putting the game out of reach for Brampton. Despite a late marker by Natasha Fryer, it would prove to be futile as the Furies skated to a 4-2 victory.

On the strength of Prevost’s two second period goals, it was the type of leadership that Toronto will be expecting this season from the accomplished skater. With the absence of luminaries such as Rebecca Johnston, Natalie Spooner and Jenn Wakefield chasing their golden dreams in Sochi, the Furies faced a depleted offense for 2013-14. The arrival of Prevost would serve as a blessing in disguise for the blue and white.

As a two-time NCAA Frozen Four champion with the Wisconsin Badgers, where she played along the likes of Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight and Jessie Vetter, Prevost brings maturity and a strong understanding of what is required to win. Having also played alongside her hockey hero Caroline Ouellette as a rookie with the Montreal Stars in 2012-13, it helped to elevate her already sparkling game. 

Ironically, the pursuit of furthering her education landed her with the Furies. Conducting her teacher’s college education in sciences (in the French language), her studies brought her to the Toronto campus of the University of Ottawa. While she maintains her goal of becoming an educator, the blue and white offer her the chance to continue her hockey dreams.

In Prevost’s illustrious career, she has managed to make women’s hockey history on the bookends of 2013. Early in the year, she would be part of the Canadian National Team’s training camp at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Of note, she would play with the National Team in a series of exhibition games against boys’ teams.

By suiting up for the team in January 2013, she would become part of a rare group of women born in the province of Ontario (including Natalie Spooner, Jenn Wakefield and Brianne Jenner) to have competed with the Canadian National Under-18, Under-22/Development and Senior Teams. Considering that Prevost is also a provincial champion in taekwondo and an avid competitor in CrossFit, this rare triple crown in hockey may be her greatest legacy.

By autumn 2013, Prevost would manage to accomplish a feat that no other women in the history of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League had done. By signing with the Toronto Furies as a free agent, she would become the second woman in CWHL history (following Jesse Scanzano) to play with both Montreal and Toronto. On such strong momentum, she may have the opportunity for one more historic event, leading the Furies to their first-ever Clarkson Cup.