Victoire re-sign Kaitlin Willoughby to one-year contract

On Tuesday, the Montreal Victoire ensured a little more depth up front, re-signing forward Kaitlin Willoughby to a one-year contract for the 2024-25 season.

Willoughby came to the Victoire this past season, as she was traded to Montreal from the Toronto Sceptres for defender Anna Kjellbin, the only notable transaction from trade deadline day in March.

“I’m really excited to be back with the Victoire next season,” Willoughby said in a release. “I’m eager to continue playing in front of the warmest and most welcoming fans. This organization means a lot to me, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Willoughby appeared in seven games for the Victoire in the final stretch of the regular season, registering an assist in the team’s final game against the New York Sirens. The 30-year-old also picked up a helper in the playoffs, posting an assist in Game 2 against the Ottawa Charge. However, Montreal was ultimately eliminated by the Charge in four games.

Willoughby played the first 20 games of the 2024-25 campaign with the Sceptres, failing to register a point. Across 27 games, she had a plus/minus of -4, averaging close to 10 minutes per game with the Victoire.

Montreal general manager Daniele Sauvageau believes Willoughby offers the team more than what meets the eye.

“Upon her arrival last season,” Sauvaeau explained. “Kaitlin quickly developed chemistry with our existing players, both on and off the ice. She played valuable minutes with us at the end of the season and in the playoffs, and we are confident that she will be able to give us even more over the course of a full season in a Victoire uniform.”

The Port Albert, Saskatchewan native hasn’t really found her offensive touch in the first two seasons of the PWHL. In 50 regular-season games and nine postseason contests, Willoughby has yet to score a goal. In her time in the league, she has two assists in the regular season, with a -7 rating.

The University of Saskatchewan native returns to a Victoire team that has plenty of experience, headlined by mainstays Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and Ann-Renée Desbiens. The team also has a couple of new faces, including free agent signings Hayley Scamurra and Shiann Darkangelo, along with Abby Roque, who Montreal acquired at the 2025 PWHL Draft.