Montreal Victoire

2024-25 PWHL Season Preview

2024 Draft Picks

Cayla Barnes (5th Overall), Ohio State University

Jennifer Gardiner (11th Overall), Ohio State University

Abigail Boreen (17th Overall), PWHL Minnesota, University of Minnesota

Dara Greig (23rd Overall), Colgate University

Anna Wilgren (29th Overall), University of Wisconsin

Anna Kjellbin (35th Overall), Luleå HF Sweden

Amanda Kessel (41st Overall)

2024 Stats

Record (Regular Season): 13-4-0-7

Record (Playoffs): 0-3 Lost to Boston in the semifinals

Leading Scorer: Marie-Philip Poulin 10 G-13 A-23 PTS

Top Goalie: Elaine Chuli 6-1, 1.61 GAA, .949 SV%

Free Agent Signings

The Victoire hasn’t been active in the open free agent market so far, but has extended the contracts of several key players and signed two of their 2024 draft picks.  Their top priority was signing their first two picks in the 2024 draft, Ohio State teammates Cayla Barnes and Jennifer Gardiner.  Catherine Dubois, Claire Dalton and Mikyla Grant-Mentis all inked one-year extensions.

Players To Watch

  • Marie-Philip Poulin

    Montreal’s leading scorer and top forward will have to have another strong season if the teams want to progress further in the playoffs.  The good news is that the Victoire has more depth at forward this season, which should balance out their scoring. 

  • Jennifer Gardiner

    Gardiner is coming to the Victoire after a stellar collegiate career at Ohio State.  She will be looked upon to make an immediate impact on the team’s offence.  Having put up well over a point per game at OSU and an incredible +40 in her senior season, Gardiner is no stranger to the scoresheet.  She will add depth to the Victoire’s offence.

  • Erin Ambrose

    The reigning PWHL Defender of the Year will lead the Victoire’s defensive corps again this season.  Although the team’s defence has more depth than last year, Ambrose will still be the leader and will also be counted on to provide some offence from the back end.  Ambrose was tied for second in team scoring making the defender a threat at both ends of the ice.

Keys to Success

Montreal started the inaugural PWHL season as one of the favourites but several injuries to key players exposed their lack of depth and ultimately led to an early exit in the playoffs. 

The Victoire has added to their depth through the draft, especially up front.  Last season, coach Kori Cheverie leaned heavily on a handful of players who logged a lot of ice.  Moving into the 2024-25 season, the new players will take the pressure off their core five which should lead to a more balanced attack. 

Between the pipes, Montreal has a formidable tandem in Elaine Chuli and Ann-Renee Desbiens.  Desbiens was the No.1 last year starting 16 regular-season games and all three playoff games.  Although Chuli only started eight games, she put up an impressive 6-1-1 record making her a solid option.

For Montreal to have a strong season and make a long playoff run, Desbiens and Chuli will have to come up big.