The Montreal Victoire returned to Quebec on Thursday for a hero's welcome after winning the Professional Women's Hockey League Walter Cup [1].
This victory marks a historic milestone for the sport as the Victoire became the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup [5]. The win establishes Montreal as a primary hub for professional women's hockey and underscores the growing popularity of the league across North America.
The team secured the championship during a game in Ottawa, Ontario, on Wednesday night, May 20, 2026 [2]. Following the victory, the squad traveled back to the borough of Verdun in Montreal to celebrate with a crowd of supporters [1].
Fans gathered in Verdun on May 21, 2026, to greet the players and witness the arrival of the trophy [1]. The homecoming event served as the official celebration for the inaugural PWHL championship, bringing the title to the home city for the first time [3].
The victory in Ottawa was the culmination of the league's first championship series [5]. By bringing the trophy back to Montreal, the Victoire have solidified their place in the record books as the first Canadian franchise to achieve this feat [5].
Local supporters filled the streets of Verdun to cheer the team as they arrived with the hardware [4]. The atmosphere remained celebratory throughout the day as the organization recognized the players' efforts in securing the title [6].
“The Montreal Victoire became the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup.”
The Montreal Victoire's victory is more than a local sports win; it represents the first time a Canadian-based team has won the PWHL's top prize. This achievement is likely to increase investment and viewership for women's professional hockey in Canada, providing a blueprint for the growth of the league in other Canadian markets.
