Friends Maschmeyer, Clark celebrate firsts in PWHL Ottawa's inaugural season

OTTAWA — Like so many of her teammates, the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League has held many firsts for Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.

She was one of the first three players to be signed to Ottawa’s roster. She was in goal for Ottawa’s first win. She was the first to have a gender reveal during practice.

Maschmeyer and her wife, former Team Canada goaltender Geneviève Lacasse, are expecting their first child at the end of August.

At the end of practice Wednesday, Emily Clark — donning a pink jersey — and captain Brianne Jenner — wearing blue — participated in an obstacle course. Teammates, divided between team blue and team pink, cheered on Clark and Jenner as they raced around cones, did 360s, and pushed and shoved one another before Jenner ultimately crossed the finish line.

Maschmeyer and Lacasse were thrilled to realize a baby boy is on the way.

Maschmeyer, a native of Bruderheim, Alta., said the idea for the reveal came during a conversation with her longtime friend Clark on a road trip.

“Clarkie and I were just brainstorming silly ideas on the bus,” said Maschmeyer. “My partner and I wanted it to be something around the rink and we thought this would be fun. We didn’t want to know the gender until that moment, and it was just so much fun.”

Clark admitted she's a terrible liar and has a terrible poker face, so she didn’t want to know in advance whether the couple is having a boy or a girl. Jenner found out via email on Monday and she didn't share the news with Clark until right before practice started.

“I didn’t want to give it away,” Clark said. “I was just so honoured to be a part of it.”

Clark and Maschmeyer first crossed paths in 2012 when the two won U18 gold together. In many