All photos courtesy of Getty Images
Mason and Kennedy Marchment share much more than just family ties.
On a recent road trip to Montreal, Mason, who has patrolled left wing with the Dallas Stars for the past two seasons, had the opportunity to catch up with his cousin Kennedy – a forward with PWHL Montreal of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
“It was awesome to see him because I hadn’t seen him in a while,” said Kennedy, who inked a two-year deal with PWHL Montreal last November. “He has been playing great and he had a big game with two assists that night.”
Bell Centre was the ideal setting for the unofficial family get-together.
“We got to see him after the game,” recalled Kennedy. “Any time you get to be around family is great. I had a teammate with me, along with my sister and cousin, Mason’s sister, so it was a family reunion at the hockey rink. Where else would it be?”
After making his NHL debut Jan. 2, 2020, Mason, who played alongside Connor McDavid, Alex DeBrincat, Travis Dermott and Dylan Strome with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters in 2014-15, is well on his way to establishing several career-high marks this year.
The undrafted winger, who signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Florida Panthers in February 2020, recently matched a personal best with his 18th goal of this season – scored along a nine-game point streak that included 13 points.
“He has an eye for the net and his offensive flair definitely stands out to me,” said Kennedy, who was named league MVP in 2021-22 with the Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation, which was dissolved upon the establishment of the PWHL.
“He had a great game in Montreal when we were there, and you could see just how impressive his offensive abilities are. He always finds a way to contribute.”
Mason, who signed as a free agent with Dallas in July 2022, has near-identical words of praise for his cousin.
“I have seen her play a handful of times and she has unbelievable vision,” said Mason. “She has great hands, she knows how to score goals and she finds a way to contribute, especially when the game is on the line.”
It was something Kennedy did consistently during her two years in Connecticut. She set the PHF single-season record with an 18-game point-streak while also becoming the first player in league history to produce back-to-back 30-point campaigns, seasons during which she also led team scoring.
“She definitely has the skill and the will,” lauded Mason, who is 18 months Kennedy’s senior. “It’s great to see what she has accomplished in the past and what she is doing now.”
That skill was on full display when Kennedy scored the first goal of her PWHL career in a 5-2 win over New York on Jan. 10.
The tally turned out to be twice as nice for the 27-year-old.
“It was a good game plan,” she said of her game-winning goal. “It was just nice to get that first one out of the way. That game was cool, being back in the New York area where I used to play.”
Being part of the PWHL’s inaugural season has been, what Kennedy refers to as, “a dream come true.”
So too has been the opportunity to play with some of the game’s top stars like Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose and Ann-Renée Desbiens in Montreal.
“The support [for our league] is unmatched this year. The biggest thing is the support we have in all the cities we have teams in – playing in front of so many people has been amazing.
“I am really happy. I love Montreal as a city, and I know that a lot of people who come to play here or play here enjoy it so much. Whether you play in the NHL or PWHL, it’s a great place to play hockey.”
And to catch up with familiar faces.
“It’s always nice when you have a chance to see your family, even if it is for a short time,” said Mason.
“You could see how happy Kennedy is. I think it’s awesome the players have a pro league now. I’m a big fan.”
