Montreal Victoire Explained

Current:2024–25 Montreal Victoire season
Bg Color:background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#862633 5px solid; border-bottom:#041E42 5px solid;
Team:Montreal Victoire
City:Montreal, Quebec
League:Professional Women's Hockey League
Arena:Place Bell
Colours:Burgundy, sand and storm
Owner:Mark Walter Group
Gm:Danièle Sauvageau[1]
Coach:Kori Cheverie[2]
Championships1 Type:Walter Cups
Championships1:0

The Montreal Victoire (fr|Victoire de Montréal) are a professional women's ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). They play home games at Place Bell in Laval.

History

Founding and inaugural season

On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Montreal.[3] On September 1, Danièle Sauvageau, the one-time coach for Canada's national team, was announced as the team's general manager.[4] Kori Cheverie, a former assistant coach with the Canadian national team and the first woman to have coached a Canadian men's hockey team, was named the team's inaugural coach on September 13.[5] [6] Montreal's first three players—Canadian national team members Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renée Desbiens—were signed on September 5, 2023.[7] At the 2023 PWHL Draft on September 18, the team selected 15 players; their first pick, at sixth overall, was Canadian national team member Erin Ambrose.[8]

The team colours were officially announced on November 14, 2023, as burgundy, "sand", and "storm".[9] Later that month, it was revealed that the team would host the majority of its games at the Verdun Auditorium, with four games at Place Bell.[10] [11] On December 29, the team announced that Poulin would serve as team captain, with Stacey and Erin Ambrose serving as assistant captains.[12] Montreal's first ever game took place on January 2, 2024, against PWHL Ottawa; the 8,318 fans in attendance at Ottawa's TD Place Arena set a new attendance record for professional women's hockey.[13] Claire Dalton scored the first goal in franchise history. Although Montreal twice trailed in the game, Ann-Sophie Bettez scored in overtime to secure the team's first win by a score of 3–2. The team hosted its first home game on January 13, with PWHL Boston securing a 3–2 overtime win in front of a sold-out crowd at Verdun Auditorium.[14]

On February 16, 2024, Montreal played a match hosted by PWHL Toronto at Scotiabank Arena in a game dubbed "The Battle on Bay Street".[15] The game set a league and women’s hockey attendance record with a sell-out crowd of 19,285, beating the previous record of 18,013 at the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship.[16] Two months later, on April 20, Montréal hosted Toronto in its first-ever home match at the Bell Centre, selling out the arena and setting another new attendance record at 21,105.[17] This game was known as "The Duel at the Top", with the two teams vying for first place in the standings.[18] Montréal managed to draw large crowds throughout the season.[19]

Montreal clinched a berth in the inaugural PWHL playoffs on March on April 24 with a 5–2 win over PWHL New York.[20] They faced Boston in the first round of the playoffs, and lost three straight games in overtime—including a triple-overtime affair in the second game of the series—to get eliminated from contention.[21] [22] After the season, Erin Ambrose was named the league's top defender for its inaugural year.[23]

In September 2024, the team announced that Place Bell would serve as its primary home venue for the 2024–25 season.[24]

Team identity

Montreal operated with league branding during the PWHL's inaugural season, along with the other charter franchises. The team was known as PWHL Montreal and wore a league-wide jersey template that featured the city's name diagonally on the front.[25] The team did have its own colour scheme, featuring burgundy, black, and beige. In October 2023, the league registered a trademark for the name Montreal Echo.[26] Ultimately, when the league unveiled franchise names in September 2024, the team was given the name Victoire in a nod to the city's history of success in ice hockey.[27] According to a report from The Hockey News, other names in contention for the team included the Lumieres and Metro.[28] In addition to the Victoire name, the team's logo was unveiled, featuring "MV" initials and a fleur-de-lis, Quebec's national symbol. The team retained its colour scheme.

Players and personnel

Current roster

[29] [30]

Team captains

Head coaches

First-round draft picks

See main article: List of Montreal Victoire draft picks.

Franchise milestones

MilestonePlayerDateOpponent
First penaltyMarie-Philip Poulin for HoldingJanuary 2, 2024PWHL Ottawa
First goalClaire DaltonAssisted by Jillian Dempsey and Kennedy MarchmentJanuary 2, 2024PWHL Ottawa
First winAnn-Renée DesbiensJanuary 2, 2024PWHL Ottawa
First hat-trickMarie-Philip PoulinJanuary 10, 2024PWHL New York

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction . Sportsnet . Rogers Media . September 5, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905132246/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/pwhl-names-six-general-managers-as-teams-begin-roster-construction/ . live .
  2. Web site: Kennedy . Ian . Kori Cheverie To Coach PWHL Montreal . The Hockey News . September 13, 2023 . September 13, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921010939/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/kori-cheverie-to-coach-pwhl-montreal . live .
  3. News: Wyshynski . Greg . August 29, 2023 . Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901224830/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38282089/new-professional-women-hockey-league-reveals-six-franchises . September 1, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . . en.
  4. Web site: September 1, 2023 . PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905132246/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/pwhl-names-six-general-managers-as-teams-begin-roster-construction/ . September 5, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . . Rogers Media.
  5. News: Kennedy . Ian . September 13, 2023 . Kori Cheverie To Coach PWHL Montreal . . September 13, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921010939/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/kori-cheverie-to-coach-pwhl-montreal . live .
  6. Web site: April 14, 2022 . Kori Cheverie to become 1st woman to coach a Canadian men's hockey team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221228140227/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/kori-cheverie-assistant-coach-u18-1.6420947 . December 28, 2022 . September 17, 2023 . . The Canadian Press.
  7. Web site: 'Women's hockey is growing': Poulin, Desbiens and Stacey sign with PWHL's Montreal team . Laframboise . Kalina . globalnews.ca . September 7, 2023.
  8. News: Donkin . Karissa . September 19, 2023 . New beginnings and dreams coming true: 3 stories from the inaugural PWHL draft . CBC Sports . live . September 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919150949/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/3-stories-inaugural-pwhl-draft-donkin-sept18-1.6970865 . September 19, 2023.
  9. News: Kennedy . Ian . November 23, 2023 . PWHL Releases Jersey Designs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114154251/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/pwhl-releases-jersey-designs . November 14, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . The Hockey News.
  10. News: November 28, 2023 . Montreal PWHL team begins season Jan. 2, home opener Jan. 13 in Verdun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129031758/https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/montreal-pwhl-team-begins-season-jan-2-home-opener-jan-13-in-verdun . November 29, 2023 . January 5, 2024 . Montreal Gazette.
  11. News: Donkin . Karissa . November 30, 2023 . PWHL releases full 72-game schedule ahead of inaugural season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106104930/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-2024-schedule-details-1.7045387 . January 6, 2024 . January 14, 2024 . CBC Sports.
  12. News: Donkin . Karissa . December 29, 2023 . Marie-Philip Poulin, Brianne Jenner named captains of PWHL Montreal, Ottawa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231231052420/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-montreal-ottawa-captains-1.7071370 . December 31, 2023 . January 5, 2024 . CBC Sports.
  13. News: Brennan . Don . January 2, 2024 . A Night to Remember: Montreal scores OT win in Ottawa's historic PWHL opener . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104225658/https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/a-night-to-remember-montreal-scores-ot-win-in-ottawas-historic-pwhl-opener . January 4, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . Ottawa Sun.
  14. News: Rainbird . Daniel . January 13, 2024 . Boston's Pelkey spoils Montreal's PWHL home opener in OT after Poulin's disallowed goal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114015711/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-boston-montreal-recap-jan-13-1.7082885 . January 14, 2024 . January 14, 2024 . CBC Sports . The Canadian Press.
  15. News: January 25, 2024 . Scotiabank Arena to host PWHL's 'Battle on Bay Street' between Toronto, Montreal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126050438/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-toronto-montreal-scotiabank-arena-1.7094871 . January 26, 2024 . January 26, 2024 . CBC Sports . . en.
  16. News: Ibrahim . Abdulhamid . February 16, 2024 . PWHL Toronto tops Montreal 3-0 in front of record-setting crowd at Scotiabank Arena . The Globe and Mail . Toronto . en . February 17, 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217174124/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-pwhl-toronto-tops-montreal-3-0-in-front-of-record-setting-crowd-at/ . February 17, 2024.
  17. Web site: PWHL-leading Toronto clinches playoff berth, wins in OT before record crowd in Montreal. Rainbird . Daniel . April 20, 2024 . April 20, 2024 . CBC Sports.
  18. Web site: Nurse OT winner breaks Montreal hearts as Toronto wins PWHL 'Duel at the Top'. Rowe . Daniel J. . April 20, 2024 . April 20, 2024 . CTV News.
  19. Web site: May 20, 2024 . PWHL Montreal draws high attendance in inaugural season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521154632/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/05/20/pwhl-montreal-2024-attendance . May 21, 2024 . May 21, 2024 . . Leaders Group . en.
  20. News: April 24, 2024 . O'Neill scores, assists as PWHL Montreal clinches playoff berth in win over New York . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240426212942/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-new-york-montreal-recap-april-24-1.7184357 . April 26, 2024 . June 9, 2024 . . The Canadian Press.
  21. Web site: May 15, 2024 . Boston knocks Montreal out of playoffs in PWHL semifinal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240515173559/https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/boston-knocks-montreal-out-of-playoffs-in-pwhl-semifinal . May 15, 2024 . May 15, 2024 . Montreal Gazette.
  22. Web site: Laprade . Pat . May 18, 2024 . Back To Work This Offseason For PWHL Montreal Players, In Many Ways . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521154539/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/back-to-work-this-offseason-for-pwhl-montreal-players-in-many-ways . May 21, 2024 . May 21, 2024 . . Roustan Media . en . Brantford, Ontario.
  23. News: June 11, 2024 . PWHL Awards: Erin Ambrose named top defender for 2024 season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612035358/https://montreal.citynews.ca/2024/06/11/pwhl-awards-erin-ambrose-named-top-defender-for-2024-season/ . June 12, 2024 . June 12, 2024 . CityNews Montreal.
  24. News: September 4, 2024 . PWHL Montreal is making Laval's Place Bell its home for team's 2nd season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240904234715/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pwhl-montreal-new-venue-1.7313239 . September 4, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . CBC News.
  25. Web site: Ibrahim . Abdulhamid . January 2, 2024 . PWHL sorting out missing pieces like team names and logos as it goes along . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118121106/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-pwhl-sorting-out-missing-pieces-like-team-names-and-logos-as-it-goes/ . January 18, 2024 . January 18, 2024 . . However there are some missing pieces, such as names and logos for the six teams. "I don't, I don't," PWHL advisory board member Stan Kasten said Monday on whether he has a timeline for those key elements to be included..
  26. News: Salvian . Hailey . October 26, 2023 . Potential names for PWHL's original 6 franchises revealed . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031041041/https://theathletic.com/5002068/2023/10/26/pwhl-team-names-six-franchises/ . October 31, 2023 . October 26, 2023 . . en.
  27. News: Wawrow . John . September 9, 2024 . PWHL reveals names, logos for all 6 franchises ahead of second season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240910150437/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-names-logos-reveal-1.7317373 . September 10, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . . The Associated Press.
  28. News: Kennedy . Ian . September 9, 2024 . These Were The Final Four Names In Contention For Each Of The PWHL's Six Teams . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909151513/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/these-were-the-final-four-names-in-contention-for-each-of-the-pwhls-six-teams . September 9, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . The Hockey News.
  29. Web site: PWHL teams unveil opening day rosters ahead of regular season opener . Sportsnet Staff . November 29, 2024 . SportsNet.ca . . November 29, 2024.
  30. Web site: Montréal Victoire Roster . November 29, 2024 . ThePWHL.com . . November 29, 2024.

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