'It was an amazing feeling': Kitchener's Loren Gabel shares her experience at PWHL's training camp

Players with the newly formed Professional Women's Hockey League hit the ice earlier this month as training camps got underway.

It's the first time players on the six teams are on the ice together getting to know one another. The first game in league history is scheduled to be played on Monday, Jan 1.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo spoke with Kitchener's Loren Gabel shortly after she was drafted to Boston and then checked in with her two weeks into training camp.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo: Training camp kicked off two weeks ago. What was that first day like when you hit the ice?

Loren Gabel: It was an amazing feeling, Happy to be a part of the group that I am and they're a great group of girls. And I think we're all eager to get that first game under our belt.

But, putting in the hard work on and off the ice every single day and it's great to see and I'm excited and looking forward to the start of our games in January.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo: You've played at a pretty high level for a long time, but walk us through now what a typical day looks like for you. What happens during training camp?

Loren Gabel: We're usually at the rink from 8:30 a.m. until close to 2:00 p.m. So three days a week we have strength and conditioning and then the rest of the days we're on the ice.

We have the ice until 1 p.m. Sometimes a little bit later you can stay out and do what you want or work with the skills coach. So I don't really get back into my apartment until about around 2:00 p.m. 

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo: How does this compare to some of the other teams and leagues that you've played in?

Loren Gabel: It's pretty comparable to the PHF (Premier Hockey Federation) which I was in last