2025-26 PWHL Season Preview: Montréal Victoire

After a summer of losses and additions, the Montréal Victoire have a new look entering the year, albeit with the same core structure. Ahead of their season opener on Sunday against the Boston Fleet, here's everything you need to know about the team this year.

Last Season

The Montréal Victoire's second season looked very similar to its first. They put together a strong regular season campaign, finishing atop the league standings for the first time with a five-point margin. Unsurprisingly, they were carried by a dominant year from Marie-Philip Poulin, who was named MVP with a league-leading 19 goals in 30 games, and Laura Stacey, who finished top-ten in goals (11) and points (22). Along with rookie Jenn Gardiner, the three formed one of the scariest top lines in the league, but the team saw persistent secondary scoring issues throughout the year. On the back end, Ann-Renée Desbiens was named Goaltender of the Year after posting an impressive 15-2-1 record with a .932 SV% and a 1.86 GAA.

But just like their first season, things fell apart for the team in the playoffs. Facing off against the Ottawa Charge in the first round, they fell 3-1, as their scoring went quiet against a hot goaltender in Ottawa's Gwyneth Philips.

Operational Changes

The Victoire will continue to play home games at Laval's Place Bell, under the direction of 2025 Coach of the Year Kori Chevrie. Chevrie has her work cut out this season in finding a winning combination with this new-look roster, and proving they can perform in the postseason. Hall of Famer Caroline Ouellette joins Montréal as a full-time assistant head coach this season. She spent the last two years as part of the team's coaching staff while also serving as an associate head coach for Concordia University's women's hockey team. Meanwhile, fellow HOFer Kim St-Pierre joined the Victoire's front office this summer as Director of Business Operations.

Current roster

Here's how the team's roster looks entering the year:

Forwards: Shiann Darkangelo, Jade Downie-Landry, Catherine Dubois, Dara Greig, Skylar Irving, Alexandra Labelle, Lina Ljungblom (LTIR), Natálie Mlýnková, Maureen Murphy, Marie-Philip Poulin, Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, Laura Stacey, Kaitlin Willoughby

Defenders: Erin Ambrose, Amanda Boulier, Jessica DiGirolamo, Maggie Flaherty, Nicole Gosling, Kelly-Ann Nadeau*, Kati Tabin

Goaltenders: Sandra Abstreiter, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Megan Warrener

Reserves: Tamara Giaquinto, Maya Labad, Claire Vekich

*Nadeau was signed on a Reserve Player contract, but immediately activated in the place of Ljungblom, who will begin the year on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

Key New Arrivals

The most notable add of the summer for Montréal may have been Abby Roque, acquired from the New York Sirens via trade. The 28-year-old American forward is known for playing a hard, gritty game, with some puck-handling skills to boast, but has yet to find the best of her goal scoring abilities in the league. She'll play a top-six role for the Victoire, and may potentially start the season alongside Poulin and Stacey, getting some looks on that first line in the preseason.

In free agency, the team added three interesting names in Shiann Darkangelo from the Charge, Jade Downie-Landry from the Sirens, and Hayley Scamurra from the Toronto Sceptres. With those additions, the team enters the year with a bit more depth and an ability to spread the talent through all four lines. Defensively, they added Maggie Flaherty from the Minnesota Frost and Jessica DiGirolamo from the Boston Fleet to bolster their blue line.

Meanwhile, leading their rookie class this year is 2025 first-round pick Nicole Gosling. The 23-year-old Clarkson alum will look to make a splash on this roster quick, as a 200-foot defender with potential for offensive upside.

Key Departures

In June's expansion process, the Montréal Victoire lost forwards Jenn Gardiner and Abby Boreen, and defenders Cayla Barnes, and Anna Wilgren. Gardiner and Boreen held the team's third and fourth highest point totals last season, marking a major loss for the team's offence.

Along with Barnes and Wilgren, Montréal also lost Mariah Keopple to Seattle in free agency, losing a prominent chunk of their blue line. Miraculously, they managed to hold on to veteran Erin Ambrose through expansion, as she will be a key part of leading this rebuilding defensive unit this year.

In between the pipes, backup goaltender Elaine Chuli signed with the Toronto Sceptres. In her place, German goaltender Sandra Abstreiter will step up this season to fill in behind Desbiens.

Season Predictions

Prediction: Montréal finish top of the league standings once again
Despite a summer of change for the Victoire, it's hard to bet against a core that consists of Poulin, Stacey, Ambrose, and Desbiens, especially in an Olympic season where they'll all be hungry to put out their best hockey. Mix in those interesting depth-adds offensively and an exciting prospect to watch in Gosling, and it's not hard to imagine Montréal end up in first place once again when the dust settles. That being said, with new challengers emerging in the West, it will be a much closer battle this season.

Prediction: Nicole Gosling finishes as a finalist for Rookie of the Year
Amidst a slightly lighter rookie class compared to last year or perhaps next season, Gosling has a solid shot at challenging for the Rookie of the Year award. On Montréal's rebuilding blue line, she has an opportunity to come in and earn top minutes quick, show off her offensive upside, and potentially earn consistent power play time as well. She's not always the flashiest player, which can hurt award consideration, but her broad skillset will serve her well in her rookie year.

Prediction: Roque puts up career-best numbers, hitting double digits in both goals and assists
Benefiting from a new environment this season, Roque will see major improvement in her game, especially with an opportunity to play alongside Poulin and Stacey. The three of them balance skill and grittiness, and could very well become one of the league's scariest top lines. With that in mind, don't be surprised to see Roque start impressing on the scoresheet this season.