Why the Montréal Victoire Have the Most to Prove in 2026-27
Marie-Philip Poulin with the Montreal Victoire during the PWHL Takeover Tour game vs the New York Sirens at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, January 18, 2026. Photo by Rh723
Written by Lindsay Burke
As the PWHL prepares for its fourth season, much of the attention has shifted toward expansion. New franchises in Detroit, Vancouver, Seattle, and Québec City have generated excitement as they build their inaugural rosters.
Despite the spotlight on the league's newcomers, no team enters the 2026-27 season under more pressure than the defending Walter Cup champion Montréal Victoire.
After capturing their first Walter Cup during the 2025-26 season, Montréal cemented its place in PWHL history as the league's second championship franchise. Now, the challenge has shifted from proving they can win a title to proving they can sustain that success.
The pressure begins with the reality that every team will be chasing the defending champions. Every matchup against Montréal will carry added significance as opponents measure themselves against the league's best. The Victoire have little room for error, as beating the reigning champions represents a statement victory for both expansion clubs looking to establish credibility and established contenders with championship aspirations.
Unlike many title-winning teams that lose key contributors during free agency, Montréal has retained its core while adding significant talent. The signings of Emma Maltais and Jessie Eldridge bolster an already dangerous forward group and provide even more offensive depth.
For Montréal, anything short of another deep playoff run will likely be viewed as a disappointment. Expansion teams can point to the challenges of building chemistry and establishing an identity, but the Victoire have no such luxury. The standard has already been set, and success this season will ultimately be measured by whether Montréal can defend its Walter Cup.
Beyond the external expectations lies the mental challenge of being the defending champion. Winning a title requires talent, but repeating demands consistency. Montréal must prove it can handle the physical grind of a long season while embracing the pressure that comes with every opponent bringing its best effort. Every game against the Victoire will be circled on the calendar from opening night.
At the same time, the rest of the league has improved. Expansion has redistributed talent across the PWHL, while contenders have remained aggressive in free agency to close the gap. Established powers such as Boston and Toronto remain legitimate Walter Cup threats, and expansion teams like Detroit have assembled rosters capable of competing sooner than expected.
Montréal has made the offseason moves necessary to position itself for another championship run, much like the Minnesota Frost did by winning back-to-back Walter Cups during the league's first two seasons. While the Victoire spent the PWHL's first three years establishing themselves as contenders, they now enter unfamiliar territory as the team everyone is chasing. After reaching the top of the league, meeting expectations means staying there.
