After a tough playoff exit, the Montreal Victoire are refreshed, strengthened by new talent, and excited to start the season ahead.
After a tough playoff exit, the Montreal Victoire are refreshed, strengthened by new talent, and excited to start the season ahead.
Training camp is officially underway at the Verdun Auditorium for the Montreal Victoire, who returned to the ice on Thursday morning for the first time since their playoff exit six months ago.
The team’s season ended in heartbreak with a third consecutive overtime loss to Boston, who completed a series sweep to eliminate the Victoire. It was a bitter end to an otherwise strong campaign.
But as the new season looms, the Victoire are determined to bounce back.
“Coming back after a playoff loss that obviously we didn’t want to happen, we’re refreshed, we’re rejuvenated,” forward Laura Stacey said. “We have a new group here, it’s a new era, and I think we’re all really excited about it.”
Stacey was one of several players who carried a heavy workload during the postseason, a result of the team’s depth being depleted by injuries.
The Victoire has since bolstered its roster, adding talent up front like Swedish league MVP Lina Ljungblom and Abigail Boreen, who won the inaugural Walter Cup with Minnesota.
“Those are two players who can play in our top six, which then moves some players around the lineup [...] and allows us to just breathe a little bit from [the first line to the fourth line],” head coach Kori Cheverie said.
This added depth in the lineup comes at an important time, especially with the absence of first-round draft pick Cayla Barnes.
Selected fifth overall this year, Barnes suffered a lower-body injury after colliding with Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin during game one of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series on Nov. 6.
“I felt pretty bad, honestly,” Poulin said. “You never want to see that happening. [...] Right away, I sent her a message, and she was pretty awesome about it.”
“I think she’s in great hands here in Montreal to be taken care of and to come [back] as fast as possible,” Poulin added.
With no timeline for Barnes’ return, the Victoire must now move forward without her as they prepare for their preseason opener against the Boston Fleet on Nov. 20 at Verdun Auditorium. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m.
“Every time I start a new season, it reminds me why I do this,” Poulin said in French. “I love it, I’m still passionate, and we have players from all over the world—five languages in the locker room. It’s incredible. It’s fun to experience, and I know the second season will be even better.”