Montreal suffered significant losses during the PWHL expansion process, primarily taking hits to the defensive depth and secondary scoring as the team lost Jennifer Gardiner, Abby Boreen, Cayla Barnes, and Anna Wilgren via expansion.

It was followed by the losses of Elaine Chuli and Claire Dalton who signed in Toronto, and Mariah Keopple who signed in Seattle. 

Montreal was able to claw back some talent bringing in Shiann Darkangelo from Ottawa, Jessica DiGirolamo from Boston, Hayley Scamurra from Toronto, and re-signing Kati Tabin on the opening day of free agency.

But Montreal will need to re-fill the middle of their lineup and find talent in the draft. Depth has been a consistent issue for the Victoire through their first two seasons, primarily suffering first round playoff losses each year.

The 2025 Draft will be a crucial time for Montreal to fill their depth.

Biggest Needs At The Draft

Montreal did a commendable job rebuilding a serviceable top four of Erin Ambrose, Kati Tabin, Jessica DiGirolamo, and Amanda Boulier. It won't stand up against the expansion teams, Toronto, or New York, but it's also not the worst in the league. Montreal does need to address their scoring woes, which they helped with Shiann Darkangelo, but still need answers for alongside Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, and on their wings down their lineup. Picking fourth, Montreal will be able to meet one of those needs by drafting Nicole Gosling or Casey O'Brien. It's more likely to be Gosling available, although with Toronto selecting third, it could be the dynamic O'Brien who slides to Montreal. It it is, O'Brien will go a long way toward giving Montreal the depth they need up front, even if it means shifting her from her natural center position to the wing since they already have Poulin, Darkangelo, and Kristin O'Neill down the middle. Montreal could also reach for Rory Guilday at fourth if Gosling goes off the board, and few would bat an eye at an impactful selection of that magnitude. 

Round One Target

Given the forward depth across the league, it feels more pertinent to grab another defender at fourth for Montreal. Nicole Gosling is the prime target, but Rory Guilday would be an excellent option as well. Casey O'Brien could slide by Toronto, especially considering Toronto has the same top four returning this year as they fielded last season. If Montreal can get Gosling or Guilday, they should. 

Available Players That Fit Montreal's History

Montreal is known for going off the board a bit when it comes to their selections. They broke rank when they picked Abby Boreen last year, and did it again with the selection of Amanda Kessel. There are no unique scenarios to match those two, but there are players that match Montreal's history. Having already selected Lina Ljungblom and Anna Kjellbin the last two drafts, Swedish forward Sara Hjalmarsson could be a target and would add more much needed depth up front. Should she be available in round two, it would not be surprising to see Montreal grab Michelle Karvinen to round out their top line.

With the success they had last year with Gardiner, the team could also target other Ohio State poducts like Jenna Buglioni or Makenna Webster who could both elevate their game to a top line wing role. Daniele Sauvageau and her staff have proven to be bold, and it would also not be surprising to see them swing for the fences selecting one of the top Russian players available in the draft to attempt them on the wing as well. Fortune favours the bold, and Montreal is known for being bold on draft day.

Where will Montreal pick in the draft?

Montreal opens their first pick at fourth overall despite finishing first in the regular season, They got a boost in the draft being eliminated in the opening round of playoffs. In the six round, 48 player 2025 PWHL Draft, Montreal will select 4, 12, 20, 28, 36, and 44.

Montreal Victoire PWHL Draft History

2024 PWHL Draft

1. Round 1, 5th overall, Cayla Barnes, D, Ohio State University – NCAA
2. Round 2, 11th overall, Jennifer Gardiner, F, Ohio State University – NCAA
3. Round 3, 17th overall, Abby Boreen, F, PWHL Minnesota – PWHL
4. Round 4, 23rd overall, Dara Greig, F, Colgate University – PWHL
5. Round 5, 29th overall, Anna Wilgren, D, University of Wisconsin – NCAA
6. Round 6, 35th overall, Anna Kjellbin, D, Lulea – SDHL
7. Round 7, 41st overall, Amanda Kessel, F, PWHPA

2023 PWHL Draft

1. Round 1, 6th overall, Erin Ambrose, D, PWHPA
2. Round 2, 7th overall, Kristin O’Neill, F, PWHPA
3. Round 3, 18th overall, Maureen Murphy, F, Northeastern University – NCAA
4. Round 4, 19th overall, Dominika Laskova, D, Toronto Six – PHF
5. Round 5, 30th overall, Kati Tabin, D, Toronto Six – PHF
6. Round 6, 31st overall, Kennedy Marchment, F, Connecticut Whale
7. Round 7, 42nd overall, Tereza Vanisova, F, Toronto Six – PHF
8. Round 8, 43rd overall, Madison Bizal, D, Ohio State University – NCAA
9. Round 9, 54th overall, Gabrielle David, F, Clarkson University – NCAA
10. Round 10, 55th overall, Maude Poulin-Labelle, D, Northeastern University – NCAA
11. Round 11, 66th overall, Jillian Dempsey, F, Boston Pride – PHF
12. Round 12, 67th overall, Claire Dalton, F, Yale University – NCAA
13. Round 13, 78th overall, Elaine Chuli, G, Toronto Six – PHF
14. Round 14, 79th overall, Ann-Sophie Bettez, F, Montreal Force – PHF
15. Round 15, 80th overall, Lina Ljungblom, F, MoDo – SDHL