The Montreal Victoire have made their second trade in franchise history at the PWHL Trade Deadline by acquiring forward Kaitlin Willoughby from the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for defender Anna Kjellbin.
Willoughby, 29, has no points in 20 games this season for Toronto. She had one assist last season for the team in 23 games. She has often been a fourth line or 13th forward in her time with the team. She was a free agent acquisition after going through the 2023 Draft without being picked.
The Prince Albert, SK native has played five years professionally after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in the CWHL with the Calgary Inferno and in the PWHPA. She will add depth and experience to Montreal’s forward group as they look for the right fit in their bottom three lines.
Kjellbin, 30, had one assist in 18 games this season and is her first in the PWHL. She was drafted in the sixth round, 35th overall by the Victoire in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Kjellbin was often used as a seventh defender in her time with Montreal.
This is a reversal from last trade deadline, when they badly needed depth on defence and traded Tereza Vanišová for Amanda Boulier. They had eight healthy defenders on the roster, plus two reserve defenders. Adding Willoughby adds a 13th forward to the roster, plus Alexandra Labelle on Long Term Injured Reserve, and Gabrielle David as a reserve player.
Montreal’s next game is Tuesday, March 18 on the road against the Boston Fleet.
