Danièle Sauvageau, a prominent figure in hockey, has experienced numerous memorable moments throughout her illustrious career, notably the historic Olympic gold win for the Canadian women’s hockey team in 2002, a significant event that reshaped the landscape of women’s hockey in the country.
Despite her rich history in the sport, Sauvageau envisions an even greater scenario for the Montreal Victoire team.
In her vision, she sees the Victoire’s captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, proudly lifting the Walter Cup, the championship trophy of the PWHL, in front of the passionate Montreal fans.
The team will have multiple opportunities to realize this dream as Poulin, along with forward Laura Stacey and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, have all agreed to contract extensions with the Victoire until the end of the 2027-28 season.
These three players were the cornerstone signings for the Montreal team back in 2023 when the league was established, and their commitment to the team has now been extended beyond the upcoming season.
Poulin, Desbiens, and Stacey remain vital pillars of the Victoire, described by Sauvageau as the team’s “heart and soul.”
In an interview with CBC Sports, Sauvageau expressed her desire for the trio to finish their careers wearing the Montreal Victoire jersey.
Despite finishing as the top team in the league last season, led by an outstanding performance from Poulin and stellar goaltending from Desbiens, Montreal faced an unexpected early exit in the playoffs, losing to the Ottawa Charge.
Looking ahead, with the core trio secured and a strong offseason recruitment by Sauvageau and her team, the Victoire are poised to compete fiercely in the upcoming seasons.
At the core of the team is Poulin, hailed as the world’s best player and the driving force behind the Victoire. With Poulin leading the charge, Montreal’s possibilities are endless, making her an indispensable asset to the team.
In addition to her league MVP title, Poulin also clinched the top forward spot in the PWHL last season, finishing with 19 goals in 30 games. However, for Poulin, individual accolades pale in comparison to the ultimate goal of hoisting the Walter Cup.
“I am so thrilled to continue with the Victoire in the long term,” Poulin stated. “It’s a privilege to wear this jersey and represent our city alongside