Former Pride Captain Jillian Dempsey Aims Roster Spot With Fleet
NATICK, Mass. — Jillian Dempsey has been a beloved hockey player in Boston for decades. After spending the inaugural PWHL season with the Montreal Victoire, she has the opportunity to lace up her skates for the Fleet in the 2024-25 campaign.
The 33-year-old forward scored one goal and three assists across 24 games for Montreal last season and was invited to Boston’s training camp to compete for a roster spot in the upcoming season.
She is relishing the opportunity to join her hometown team.
“I think playing for Boston is one of the greatest things, getting to play for your home city,” Dempsey said at the Fleet’s media day. “I’m really eager for camp to start and I’m thrilled to be invited and to have the opportunity to try out.”
Dempsey captained the Boston Pride for six seasons and led the now-defunct franchise to three Isobel Cup titles and a Clarkson Cup title with the Boston Bladed when she was in the CWHL.
The Winthrop, Mass. native said she hasn’t had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel, but she anticipates the message heading into camp will be no different than any other time she’s competed professionally.
“I think heading in right now, trying to stick to what my strengths are and play my game,” Dempsey explained. “Hopefully, that can help out the team. … I think the mentality is just trying to focus on what it is you bring and what you do and try to get confidence from that and just not try to do too much and keep it simple.”
Dempsey added: “It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always had the chip-on-the-shoulder mentality throughout my career. I’m just going to have to fight and earn everything. I’m grateful to be here, thrilled to be back in Boston, so I’m going to make the most of it and end up here.”