The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) women’s hockey league includes five university teams: Carleton, the Université de Montréal, the University of Ottawa, Concordia University and McGill University. But in reality, it’s only a four-team league.
The McGill Martlets were on a 107-game winning streak until they lost in late October. Last year, they won the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship. The Martlets have proven they’re above the competition.
Although their accomplishments are impressive to say the least, it’s not hard being a big fish in a small pond. By playing and consistently winning against the same teams, the Martlets aren’t reaching their full potential.
And neither are the Carleton Ravens. The Ravens, who currently sit in second place behind the Martlets early in the season, may fare well against their four-team competition. But at the national level, they’ll likely fall to the bottom of the barrel when they go up against Ontario University Athletics (OUA) teams they’ve never faced before. Just look at their 5-2 loss to the Queen’s Gaels in the pre-season.
In a two-tier league — McGill versus the rest — the RSEQ system isn’t benefiting either tier. But if the RSEQ were to merge with the OUA for women’s hockey, things would change: McGill would be on a fair playing ground, and the other RSEQ teams would benefit from increased competition.
Although travel costs and time commitment would also increase, that’s how the majority of varsity hockey teams operate. The Ravens men’s hockey team receives more funding to accomodate their travel costs, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the women to receive the same. Clearly, the RSEQ needs an overhaul. And sometimes, renovation means demolition.