Victoire acquire Abby Roque from Sirens for Kristin O’Neill, draft pick
Two notable players are switching places.
On Tuesday night, during the 2025 PWHL Draft, the Montreal Victoire acquired forward Abby Roque from the New York Sirens. In return, the Sirens receive forward Kristin O’Neill and Montreal’s fourth-round (28th overall) pick.
It’s a notable move for the Sirens, who are clearly offloading some big money on draft night. General Pascal Daoust had already sent former Defender of the Year finalist Ella Shelton to the Toronto Sceptres earlier in the night. Now, with Roque’s reportedly sizeable contract off the books, New York has some money to play with.
Roque was rumored to be on the move prior to last year’s trade deadline, but with so much unknown amongst the general managers regarding expansion, nobody wanted to take the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native. Roque had a slow start to the PWHL, scoring just 13 points in 24 games during the league’s first season. She started to find her legs during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring six goals and 11 assists and 17 points, despite the Sirens finishing last for the second year in a row.
Roque still has one more year on her contract that she signed prior to the inaugural season. She’ll be expected to add some needed secondary scoring that the Victoire have been missing in the playoffs.
Along with her pro career, Roque had previously been a notable player for Team USA, playing for her country at the 2020 and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championships, as well as the 2022 Winter Olympics, taking home the silver medal each time.
O’Neill will bring a sense of energy, dashed with skill. She might not have been a top-line player for Kori Cheverie’s team, but the Oakville, Ontario native had been an impactful player in key moments. She was a solid contributor during Montreal’s first year, notching four goals and five assists for nine points in 23 games. However, her numbers diminished this past season, only mustering up a goal and four assists for five points.
In seven postseason games with the Victoire, O’Neill has potted three goals and four points.
O’Neill is a decorated player on the international stage, winning two gold medals at the Women’s Worlds.