Thursday, May 21, 2026

Walter Cup Victory for Montreal Victoire

NCAA Alums Make Their Mark in PWHL Playoffs

Walter Cup Victory for Montreal Victoire
The Victoire capture their first Walter Cup championship (photo: The PWHL).

The PWHL’s first Walter Cup championship for the Montreal Victoire was another impressive showcase of the impact NCAA women’s hockey continues to have on the professional game.

Montreal captured the title on Wednesday with a 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4, fueled by a pair of Wisconsin alums, goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens (’20) and forward Abby Roque (’20). Desbiens was dominant all post-season between the pipes for the Victoire and the netminder posted her second shutout of the playoffs, a 23-save performance.

After entering the final frame tied 0-0, the Victoire erupted for four goals in the final 10 minutes with Roque netting the first two. Roque’s second goal, a short-handed tally, capped one of the biggest performances of her professional career. She is now the second player in PWHL history with two multi-goal postseason games, joining Minnesota Frost forward Taylor Heise (Minnesota ’22).

Minnesota Duluth standout – and now three-time Walter Cup champion – Maggie Flaherty (’23) put the game out of reach with a goal from the blue line to give the Victoire a 3-0 lead. Montreal recorded 20 goals during the 2026 PWHL Playoffs, with all but two scored by NCAA alumni.

Captain Marie-Philip Poulin (Boston University ’15) earned Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP honors after finishing the postseason with eight points, tied for the most in a single playoff year in league history. Northeastern alum Hayley Scamurra (’17) became the first PWHL player to win an Olympic gold medal and a Walter Cup in the same season.

While the Victoire hoisted the Walter Cup, the series further reinforced the NCAA’s role in developing the future of the PWHL. Nineteen NCAA alumni were part of Montreal’s Walter Cup-winning roster, representing 14 different schools, while 39 former NCAA players competed between the two finalists. As the PWHL continues to grow, college hockey remains its foundation, with 93% of league players having developed through the NCAA system.