Victoire acquire forward Kaitlin Willoughby from the Sceptres for defender Anna Kjellbin
The Montréal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres have finalized a trade ahead of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) trade deadline. Montréal has acquired forward Kaitlin Willoughby from Toronto in exchange for defender Anna Kjellbin. This was the first and only deal completed before the trade deadline, which closed at 2 p.m. ET.
Statements from Team Management
Montréal Victoire General Manager Danièle Sauvageau: “First and foremost, we want to express our gratitude to Anna for her trust in joining our team. Her impact on our players, coaching staff, and support staff has been exceptional, as has her leadership as captain of her national team. Her time with us has been nothing but positive, and we wish her all the best with her new team. With Kaitlin joining us, we’ve added valuable depth to our squad as we prepare for the challenges ahead. This trade addressed the needs of both teams, and we’re pleased with the outcome.”
Toronto Sceptres General Manager Gina Kingsbury: “As the trade deadline approached, we felt strongly about reinforcing our defensive core. Anna brings extensive international experience and proven leadership, serving as captain of Team Sweden. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Sceptres family. At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks to Kaitlin Willoughby for her contributions to the organization, her impact on the team, and her role in the community as an inaugural member of Toronto’s roster.”
Player Profiles
Kaitlin Willoughby (Forward, Montréal Victoire): Willoughby spent two seasons with the Sceptres, initially joining the team as a free agent invite during the inaugural campaign, later signing a one-year contract extension before the 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old from Prince Albert, SK, has appeared in 43 regular-season games, recording one assist. Willoughby’s experience includes four seasons with the PWHPA (2019-23) and one season with the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno (2018-19). A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, she excelled during her five U SPORTS seasons with the Huskies.
Anna Kjellbin (Defender, Toronto Sceptres): Drafted by Montréal in the sixth round of the 2024 PWHL Draft, Kjellbin signed a one-year contract ahead of this season. The 30-year-old from Göteborg, Sweden, played in 18 games for the Victoire, tallying one assist during a 4-3 overtime win against Toronto on December 21 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Prior to the PWHL, Kjellbin enjoyed a 15-year career in the SDHL, winning three consecutive championships with Luleå HF. She represented Sweden in the 2022 Olympics and has competed in five Women’s World Championships, serving as Team Sweden’s captain in the 2024 tournament in Utica.
Next Matchups
Montréal travels to Boston for a key showdown against the Fleet on Tuesday night, while Toronto will host the New York Sirens on Wednesday evening. Both teams are eager to see how their new additions impact their respective lineups in these crucial games.
