The Montreal Victoire won the 2026 [1] PWHL Walter Cup by defeating the Ottawa Charge 4-0 [2] in Game 4 of the finals.
The victory marks a historic milestone for the league as the Victoire are the first Canadian PWHL franchise to capture the Walter Cup [2]. This win establishes the team as a dominant force in professional women's hockey and brings a major championship trophy to Quebec for the first time.
Following the decisive victory in Ottawa, the team returned to Verdun, a borough of Montreal, for a celebratory homecoming. Fans gathered to welcome the players and the trophy back to their home community — a moment that underscored the growing popularity of the league in Canada.
The final game was a shutout performance, with Montreal securing a 4-0 [2] lead to seal the series. The victory was a culmination of the 2026 [1] season, ending with a dominant display against their regional rivals.
Player Ann-Renée Desbiens spoke about the emotional weight of the achievement and the bond between teammates. "I would be so lucky as a teammate to have this opportunity to share this moment with her," Desbiens said.
The celebration in Verdun served as a public victory lap for the franchise. The team's arrival in the borough was met with crowds of supporters celebrating the historic nature of the win, which cements the Victoire's place in the league's early history.
“Montreal Victoire became the first Canadian PWHL franchise to capture the Walter Cup.”
The Montreal Victoire's victory shifts the balance of power in the PWHL by bringing the first Canadian championship to a local franchise. By defeating a regional rival like the Ottawa Charge in a shutout, Montreal has not only secured the trophy but also intensified the rivalry within the Canadian market, likely increasing viewership and commercial interest in the league across Quebec and Ontario.
