Montreal Victoire

Founding and Inaugural Season

The Montréal Victoire franchise was officially announced as one of the PWHL's six charter teams on August 29, 2023. The team's front office was quickly assembled, with former Canadian national team coach Danièle Sauvageau named general manager on September 1. Kori Cheverie, a pioneering coach who had previously worked with the Canadian women's team and made history coaching a Canadian men's team, was appointed the Victoire's inaugural head coach on September 13. The team's foundational player signings occurred on September 5, 2023, securing Canadian national team stars Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens. At the league's inaugural draft on September 18, the Victoire selected 15 players, beginning with defender Erin Ambrose with the sixth overall pick. The team's colour scheme of burgundy, sand, and storm was revealed on November 14, 2023. Initially, the team planned to host most of its games at the historic Verdun Auditorium, with four contests scheduled for the larger Place Bell. Poulin was named the franchise's first captain on December 29, with Stacey and Ambrose serving as her alternate captains.

The Victoire's on-ice history began on January 2, 2024, with an away game against PWHL Ottawa. A crowd of 8,318 at TD Place Arena set a new attendance record for a professional women's hockey game. Claire Dalton scored the franchise's first goal, and Ann-Sophie Bettez netted the overtime winner for a 3-2 victory. The team's first home game followed on January 13 at a sold-out Verdun Auditorium, where they fell 3-2 in overtime to PWHL Boston. The 2024 season was marked by several landmark attendance events. On February 16, the Victoire participated in "The Battle on Bay Street" against PWHL Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, drawing a record 19,285 fans. Just over two months later, on April 20, the team hosted Toronto at the Bell Centre for "The Duel at the Top," shattering the record again with 21,105 spectators. The Victoire clinched a playoff berth on April 24 with a 5-2 win over PWHL New York. Their postseason run ended in the first round, as they were swept by Boston in three consecutive overtime games, including a marathon triple-overtime contest in Game 2. Defender Erin Ambrose was recognized as the league's top defender for the inaugural season.

Establishing a Dynasty and Winning the Walter Cup

For the 2024-25 season, the team announced a move to Place Bell in Laval as its primary home venue. Under the league-wide identity of PWHL Montreal, the team excelled, finishing first in the regular season standings. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin led the PWHL in goals and was awarded the Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player honour, becoming the first Victoire player to receive the award. The International Ice Hockey Federation also named her the IIHF Female Player of the Year for her performances with both club and country. Despite their regular season dominance, the Victoire's playoff journey ended in the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the Ottawa Charge in four games. The league expanded prior to the 2025-26 season, adding the Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes. The Victoire lost four players in the expansion draft, including defender Cayla Barnes to Seattle.

The 2025-26 campaign saw the Victoire overcome the challenge of Poulin's injury during March and April to post another strong season. The team was particularly formidable at home, compiling an 11-2-1-1 record at Place Bell and the Bell Centre. Their overall record of 17-5-2-6 earned them 62 points, tying the Boston Fleet for the league lead. The Victoire secured their second consecutive regular season title via a tiebreaker, clinched with a shootout victory over Seattle in the final game. In the playoffs, the team achieved its first-ever postseason series victory, defeating the Minnesota Frost in five games to advance to the Walter Cup Finals. Facing the Ottawa Charge in the championship series, the Victoire prevailed in four games to capture the 2026 Walter Cup, etching their name in history as the first Canadian team to win the PWHL championship.

Team Identity and Branding

Like all PWHL charter franchises, the Montreal team operated without unique branding during the 2023-24 season, known simply as PWHL Montreal. The team wore a league-wide jersey template featuring the city's name diagonally across the chest, but in the team's distinctive colours of burgundy, black, and beige. In October 2023, the league had registered a trademark for the name Montreal Echo, but that was not the final selection. When the league unveiled permanent franchise names in September 2024, the Montreal team was christened the Victoire. The name is a French word meaning "victory," chosen as a nod to the city's rich history of success in ice hockey. According to reports, other names considered included the Lumieres and Metro. The team's logo, unveiled simultaneously, features the stylized initials "MV" alongside a fleur-de-lis, the national symbol of Quebec. The team officially described the name as representing a mindset, a legacy, and a relentless pursuit of glory for the team and the city. The Victoire retained the original colour scheme, now officially described as burgundy, sand, and storm.

Key Personnel and Leadership

The Victoire's hockey operations have been led by a consistent and accomplished group since the franchise's inception. General manager Danièle Sauvageau, a former coach of Canada's national women's team, has overseen team construction from the beginning. Head coach Kori Cheverie, appointed in September 2023, has been behind the bench for the team's entire history, earning PWHL Coach of the Year honours in 2025. On the ice, leadership has been provided by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who has held the role since December 2023. Poulin's on-ice excellence and leadership have been central to the team's identity and success. Alternate captain Laura Stacey has served alongside her since the team's founding, while defender Erin Ambrose served as an alternate captain from 2023 until 2026. This stable core of management and player leadership has been instrumental in building a championship culture in a short timeframe. The Victoire have built a strong roster through strategic drafting and signings, with their first-round draft selections adding crucial top talent to the lineup.

• 2023: Erin Ambrose (Defence, 6th overall)
• 2024: Cayla Barnes (Defence, 5th overall)
• 2025: Nicole Gosling (Defence, 4th overall)
• 2026: Petra Nieminen (Forward, 12th overall)

The foundational signings of Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renée Desbiens on September 5, 2023, established a core for the new franchise. At the 2023 PWHL Draft, the team selected 15 players, beginning with Erin Ambrose as the sixth overall pick. This combination of veteran leadership and drafted talent built a deep and competitive roster. The team's success was evident when it clinched a playoff berth in its inaugural season and later won consecutive regular season titles. The Victoire ultimately achieved sustained success by winning the Walter Cup championship in 2026.

Awards and Team Honours

The Montréal Victoire and its players have accumulated significant individual recognition, reflecting the team's high calibre of play. In the inaugural 2023-24 season, defender Erin Ambrose was named the PWHL Defender of the Year and a First Team All-Star, while forward Maureen Murphy received the Hockey for All Award. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin also earned a spot on the First Team All-Star. The 2024-25 season was a landmark year for individual accolades. Poulin led the league in goals, was named Forward of the Year, a First Team All-Star, and the Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player. Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens was named Goaltender of the Year and a First Team All-Star, and Laura Stacey won the Hockey for All Award. Head coach Kori Cheverie was honoured as the PWHL Coach of the Year in 2025. Following the 2026 championship season, Poulin added the Ilana Kloss Playoff Most Valuable Player award to her collection. Teammates Ann-Renée Desbiens, Nicole Gosling, and Laura Stacey were all named to the PWHL Second Team All-Star, and Gosling was also selected for the PWHL All-Rookie Team. The team's collective honours are a direct result of its performance and rapid ascent in the PWHL.

Home Venue and Fan Engagement

The Victoire have played their home games at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, since making it their primary venue for the 2024-25 season. The team also continues to schedule select marquee games at the larger Bell Centre in downtown Montreal, a tradition that began in their inaugural season. For the 2026-27 season, the Victoire schedule includes 15 home games, with 12 to be played at Place Bell. The team's home opener for the 2026-27 season is set for December 5, 2026, against the new Hamilton franchise. That game will also be historic, as it is scheduled to be the first PWHL game broadcast on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada as part of the program's 90th season. The Victoire have been a major draw since their inception, consistently setting and breaking attendance records for professional women's hockey. The sold-out crowd of 21,105 at the Bell Centre on April 20, 2024, remains a high watermark, demonstrating the deep connection between the team and the Montreal sports community.

Recent Seasons and League Context

The Victoire enter the 2026-27 season as the defending Walter Cup champions and a central figure in an expanding PWHL landscape. The league has grown to 12 teams for the 2026-27 campaign, split into Eastern and Western Conferences. Montreal will compete in the Eastern Conference alongside the Boston Fleet, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, Toronto Sceptres, and the new Hamilton team. The playoff format has also been expanded to include eight teams, with the first-place team in each conference selecting its first-round opponent from the third- and fourth-place finishers. The Victoire's schedule reflects this new structure, with games running from December 5, 2026, to April 9, 2027. The team's success has cemented its status as a championship organization and a key driver of the league's growth and popularity in Canada. The championship ring commemorating the 2026 Walter Cup win, designed in collaboration with Paris Jewellers, symbolizes the culmination of the franchise's first three seasons and the beginning of a new era of expectation and ambition.

Season-by-Season Record

The following table outlines the competitive record of the Montréal Victoire since joining the PWHL. The team has shown consistent improvement, culminating in its Walter Cup championship in the 2025-26 season. The team's point total and winning percentage have increased each season, demonstrating a trajectory of growth and refinement. The 2025-26 season was particularly notable for the team's ability to secure points in close games, as reflected in the six shootout losses. This consistency paved the way for their first regular season title tiebreaker and, ultimately, their championship run. The Victoire's performance over these three seasons illustrates their development from a playoff participant to a regular season powerhouse and finally to league champions.

Questions about Montreal Victoire

How can I watch Montréal Victoire games?

Montréal Victoire games are broadcast through the PWHL's media partners. The team's home opener for the 2026-27 season on December 5, 2026, is scheduled to be broadcast on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. This marks a historic first PWHL broadcast for the long-running program. Tickets for home games are available through the team's official website.

When were the Montréal Victoire founded?

The Montréal Victoire franchise was announced on August 29, 2023, as one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League. The team played its inaugural season in 2024 under the temporary league branding as PWHL Montreal. The team's permanent name, Victoire, was officially unveiled by the league in September 2024. Key personnel were appointed that first autumn, with Danièle Sauvageau named general manager on September 1 and Kori Cheverie named head coach on September 13. The team's first three players, Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renée Desbiens, were signed on September 5, 2023.

Where do the Montréal Victoire play their home games?

The Montréal Victoire play their home games at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec. The team announced in September 2024 that Place Bell would serve as its primary home venue for the 2024-25 season. For the 2026-27 season, the team is scheduled to play 12 of its 15 home games at Place Bell. The Victoire also host select marquee games at the Bell Centre in Montreal, where they set a professional women's hockey attendance record of 21,105 fans in April 2024 during a game dubbed 'The Duel at the Top'.

Who is the captain of the Montréal Victoire?

Marie-Philip Poulin has served as the captain of the Montréal Victoire since December 29, 2023. Poulin led the PWHL in goals during the 2024-25 season and subsequently won the league's Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player award that year. She also captained the team to the 2026 Walter Cup championship. Poulin was named the Ilana Kloss Playoff Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 postseason. She has been a PWHL First Team All-Star and was also named the IIHF Female Player of the Year for her feats in 2024-25.

Did the Montréal Victoire win the Walter Cup?

Yes, the Montréal Victoire won the Walter Cup in 2026. They defeated the Ottawa Charge in a four-game series in the finals to claim the championship. This victory made the Victoire the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup. The team reached the finals by first achieving their first postseason series victory, defeating the Frost in five games. The 2026 championship followed consecutive regular season titles in 2024-25 and 2025-26, the latter secured on a tiebreaker after finishing with 62 points.

What does the name 'Victoire' mean?

The name 'Victoire' is the French word for 'victory.' It was chosen as the permanent team name in September 2024 as a nod to Montreal's history of success in ice hockey. According to the team, 'Victoire' represents a mindset, a legacy, and a way of life the city relentlessly pursues. The logo features 'MV' initials and a fleur-de-lis, Quebec's national symbol. Other names reportedly in contention during the branding process included the Lumieres and Metro, before Victoire was ultimately selected.

Sources and further reading

• Montreal Victoire (Wikipedia)
• Montréal Victoire | Home (thepwhl.com)
• Montreal Victoire 2026-27 schedule released: 12 teams ... (montrealgazette.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.