The Montreal Victoire have been on a whirlwind tour since winning the Walter Cup, a process continuing this week.
Since winning the Walter Cup, the Montreal Victoire players and staff have hardly had a moment to slow down.
On Saturday, several players — including Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renée Desbiens, and Laura Stacey — were invited to the Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal. While walking through the paddock for an interview, they brought the Walter Cup along with them, spontaneously creating a mini parade that drew applause from the sports fans gathered there.
On Monday, the entire team attended Game 3 of the NHL conference finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Center, where they received a warm ovation from the crowd. Poulin and Desbiens also addressed the fans in attendance.
The Walter Cup celebrations continued Tuesday, as the team were honoured guests at Montreal City Hall, where 17 players and staff members signed the City of Montréal’s Golden Book.
“It’s definitely keeping us busy, but we’re all more than happy to be part of it every time,” told Ann-Renee Desbiens to The Hockey News. “Whenever there’s an event, it’s like, ‘Perfect, let’s go.’ And like we were saying as a group, we just don’t want this to end, so we’re certainly not going to complain about being busy these days!”
Montréal Mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, was proudly wearing her Montreal Victoire jersey when she spoke to the media, emphasizing how important it is for young girls to have strong role models to look up to.
“This championship represents proof that the future is possible, and that hockey is not just a men’s sport,” said Martinez Ferrada. “For decades, it was seen that way, but we are now witnessing real momentum behind women’s sports. More importantly, it gives young girls hope and shows them that every sport belongs to them too.”
Montreal And Laval Working Together
Given that the Montreal Victoire practise in Verdun, which is part of Montreal, play one game per season at the Bell Centre, and play the rest of their home games at Place Bell in Laval, it was a joint event, as Laval mayor, Stephane Boyer, was also there to welcome the champions.
“The Victoire play as much in Montreal as they do in Laval, so Stéphane and I like to joke that we’re in shared custody,” joked mayor Martinez Ferrada.
For Stéphane Boyer, who was also wearing a Victoire jersey, this championship carries special meaning on a personal level.
“For me, it’s a tremendous source of pride,” he said. “And I’m not just saying that as mayor, but as a citizen. Seeing young women excel gives our young girls role models to look up to, and that is incredibly valuable.”
Players And Coach Honoured
Since she never won a Clarkson Cup, and because Team Canada was never invited to Montreal City Hall after winning Olympic gold, it was Ann-Renée Desbiens’ first visit there — a moment she won’t soon forget.
“It’s majestic, it’s historic, it’s truly beautiful. Knowing this is the home of all Montrealers, and being here to celebrate with the people who work so hard to help move the city forward, makes this a very special moment.”
For Laura Stacey, the fact that women’s hockey is being embraced and celebrated by all kinds of communities across the city makes the moment even more special.
“I think it’s been so amazing to see how many different areas of Montréal we’ve touched as a group. To go to F1, to go to the Habs, but then the come to City Hall and meet people with totally different backgrounds, totally different careers, goals, life long dreams. It's really, really cool to see that, at the end of the day, we are all kind of supporting one another, inspiring one another, they’re lifting us up as much as we’re lifting them.”
Head coach Kori Cheverie seemed deeply moved by all the attention the team has been receiving, especially while not yet knowing what her roster will look like next season.
“It’s so many feelings. We’re very proud. It feels like a lot of hard work over the past three years to accomplish this. There’s relief, there’s satisfaction, there’s happiness, joy, I mean there’s even reflection of hoping that this team can be together again, and with expansion we just don’t know. But I’m grateful that it happened, I’m grateful for this team, it’s one of the best teams I’ve ever coached.”
A Celebration On Saturday
Festivities are not over yet, as the team will take part in a downtown Montreal celebration this Saturday — though unlike the traditional championship parades fans are used to seeing.
“We’re currently working with the team on it,” said the mayor. “At the end of the day, they’re the ones who decide what they want to do as well. Right now, we’re looking at walking roughly four or five blocks before ending at the Esplanade.”
For everyone we spoke with, this weekend is all about the fans, as they’re inviting everyone to come out and celebrate with them.
“The league wouldn’t be where it is today without the fans,” Desbiens mentioned. “They’re a huge reason behind our success and a big reason why the league is expanding. Without the support of the fans, we’re probably not here today — especially in Montreal, where they’ve shown us so much support over the past three seasons.”
“So come enjoy it with us, come celebrate with us. I promise we’re going to have a great time, we’ll be there, and it’s going to be a really special moment. We hope to share the Cup with all of you!”