In the 1996–97 season, Derochie reached her first senior national podium, winning the silver medal behind Susan Humphreys at the 1997 Canadian Championships.
The following season, she debuted on the Champions Series (Grand Prix), placing 9th at the 1997 Skate America and 12th at the 1997 NHK Trophy.
She won the gold medal ahead of Keyla Ohs and Jennifer Robinson at the 1998 Canadian Championships in Hamilton, Ontario.
She was selected to compete at the 1998 World Championships in Minneapolis and reached the final segment; she ranked 11th in her qualifying group, 19th in the short program, 20th in the free skate and 20th overall.
[1] She was awarded the bronze medal at the 1999 Canadian Championships, behind Robinson and Annie Bellemare, and assigned to the 1999 Four Continents, where she placed tenth.