Ann-Frédérique Guay Exceeds Expectations Again and Again

A year ago, Ann-Frédérique Guay would not have been on the radar for many PWHL teams or professional teams in Europe. She'd scored more than a point per game in all four seasons of her college hockey career, but it wasn't at the NCAA DI level, it was at the NCAA DIII level.

When the NCAA DIII First Team All-American entered the transfer portal however, hoping to achieve her dream of playing NCAA DI hockey, she found the opportunity she was waiting for. Guay got the call from the University of Maine, and showed that she was capable of bigger things.

"Ever since I was young my dream was to play Division 1 hockey," Ann-Frédérique Guay told The Hockey News.

"I found the opportunity with Maine, they gave me a shot, took a chance on me."

Captaining Norwich University, Guay scored 19 goals and 46 points in 29 games during her senior season. When she made the jump, many may have anticipated a steep decline in production, but Guay proved she belonged scoring an identical 19 goals, while collecting 28 points in 34 games with the University of Maine in Hockey East.

"Obviously my goal was to succeed, but I never imagined I would have that good of a season...I guess I proved to myself that I could do it. It was a good feeling for sure," she said.

The 23-year-old St-Lambert-de-Lauzon, Quebec product was also named to the Hockey East All-Academic All-Star Team.

Not only was Guay's season enough to prove it to herself that she could play at the NCAA DI level, but it was also enough to prove to others she still had more potential, including the potential to play professionally.

Following her breakout season with Maine, Ann-Frédérique Guay signed with Linkoping in the SDHL, the second best professional league in the world for the 2024-2025 season. It's another opportunity to again exceed all expectations.

"I love hockey, I want to keep playing as long as I can," said Guay of signing her contract in Sweden. "Having the chance to do so in the second best league in the world is obviously amazing. I'm looking forward to playing against some of the best players. Every day I want to get to the rink and compete as much as I can because I want to become the best player I can be. That for sure is giving me the opportunity to do so, and I'm happy."

If all goes as planned in Europe, it won't be Guay's final step in her hockey journey.

"It's for sure my goal," Guay said. "I'm ready for next season to show what I can do. The PW would be my dream and my next goal."

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