PWHL Montreal bolstered their lineup at the PWHL Trade Deadline and with signings before the PWHL Roster Freeze. They arrive as Montreal is facing challenges.
With the inaugural PWHL trade deadline in the books, Montreal acted to strengthen its roster depth, addressing the absence of players on LTIR. They did so by striking a deal with Ottawa to bolster their defensive core, while also refraining from making other trades.
Here’s some key storylines emerging from Montreal post-deadline:
New Woman in Town
In the final moments of Monday’s deadline, Montreal acquired Amanda Boulier in exchange for Tereza Vanišová. The 30-year-old defender from Watertown, Conn. ranked among the top scorers in PHF history and has continued to perform in Ottawa, tallying six points in 17 games. Boulier could help ease the offensive load off Erin Ambrose, who currently holds the only goal on Montreal’s blueline. With her right-handed shot, Boulier could also facilitate the transition of the struggling power play, which is operating at 8.3 per cent. With Dominika Lásková still absent, there are plenty of spots for the newest defender to slot in and make an impact. Montreal also signed Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Brooke Stacey, and Liliane Perreault as reserves prior to the roster freeze.
Dempsey Stays in Montreal
Following Wednesday’s practice at Verdun Auditorium, Jillian Dempsey seemed deflated while addressing the media about staying in Montreal. Earlier this month, her name was swirling in rumours about a potential trade with Boston for Shiann Darkangelo. That ship has since sailed, as Darkangelo was dealt to Ottawa only minutes before the trade deadline, leaving Dempsey in Montreal. Born in Winthrop, Mass., Dempsey calls Boston home. She played her collegiate hockey at Harvard University before captaining the Boston Pride for six seasons. Her PWHL debut has been challenging, recording four points in 18 games. Hopefully, she can move past this and return to being the calibre player she was in the PHF.
Three-Game Slump
Sunday’s 2-1 loss against Toronto was Montreal’s third straight defeat, marking the team’s first consecutive losses of the season. Marie-Philip Poulin’s absence has been significant, with the team managing to score only three goals in three games. Poulin skated this week but is still listed as day-to-day. Without their captain, along with Ann-Sophie Bettez and Kennedy Marchment, Montreal will need to rely on its secondary scorers like Laura Stacey and Claire Dalton. Or perhaps turn to players including Mikyla Grant-Mentis, who recently signed a 10-day contract, or reserve forwards Brooke Stacey and Liliane Perreault. Regardless of the source, the team needs a boost to break out of this slump.
It will take all of Montreal’s new recruit Boulier, alongside Dempsey and other surprises, to overcome this hurdle and continue their playoff push.
When they return next, Montreal faces Minnesota on Sunday, March 24 at 4 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center, aiming to tie them for second place before the break for the IIHF Women’s World Championship. The team currently sits third in the standings with 30 points, trailing Toronto by six points and Minnesota by three points.