Manitoba’s own hitting the hometown ice in PWHL Takeover Tour

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This article was published 11/11/2025 (272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO – Caroline Ouellette has a pretty good idea of what the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge can expect when the PWHL Takeover Tour arrives in Winnipeg in March.

The longtime Canadian national team player and Hockey Hall of Famer will be behind the bench at Canada Life Centre on Mar. 22 as an assistant coach with the Victoire, but she’s got first-hand knowledge of how great the fan support can be when the top female players hit the ice in Manitoba.

“That was one of my favourite world championships in Winnipeg in 2007,” Ouellette said earlier this week before attending the Hockey Hall of Fame induction that included her longtime linemate Jennifer Botterill. “I’ll never forget the crowd and playing in pink, winning the gold medal there. Just the atmosphere, it was incredible and I’m really excited to go back there.”

The enthusiasm for women’s hockey that was shown by those Manitoba crowds was one of the reasons Winnipeg was chosen to be among the 11 cities that will showcase the PWHL over 16 neutral-site games.

“We’re thrilled to get to Winnipeg. It’s been something we’ve talked about for a long time,” said Jayna Hefford, a Hockey Hall of Famer who is now an executive vice-president with the PWHL. “We think it’s going to be really successful. We know the legacy there, of Sami Jo Small and Jen Botterill and Delaney Collins and a number of players that came from that area. So we just can’t wait to bring the game and expose the PWHL to new fans and new markets.”

The PWHL, which is set to begin its third season, expanded to eight teams this summer — adding franchises in Vancouver and Seattle.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to think Winnipeg might one day be included in the top professional league for women’s players.

“We just can’t wait to bring the game and expose the PWHL to new fans and new markets.”

But that’s a discussion for down the road.

For now, it’s about the continued support of growing the women’s game in a market that loves hockey.

“This event reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for young women to see themselves represented on the professional stage, and we are proud to play a small role in creating this moment for our community,” Annie Chipman Stockl, vice-president of marketing with True North Sports + Entertainment said in a press release.

There will be some distinct Manitoba flavour on the rosters of both teams, as the Victoire have defender Kati Tabin of Winnipeg on the roster and the Charge have defender Jocelyne Larocque of Ste. Anne and goalie Logan Angers of Winnipeg on their roster.

“We have Kati Tabin, so it will be awesome to be able to play in Winnipeg,” said Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin. “Anytime you get the chance to travel a little bit and bring the PWHL across the country, it’s always very exciting.”

Tabin suited up for Team Canada at the Rivalry Games against the United States last week and is hoping to make the national team for the first time at the 2026 Olympics in Italy.

Speaking with the Free Press at the Olympic orientation camp this past August, Tabin shared her story of retiring twice from playing before taking one more shot at her dreams.

“(Kati Tabin)’s become a really good PWHL player and she’s done that through hard work and dedication, through adjusting her game to being physical and tough to play against. She’s great to coach.

“It shows that it’s never too late to get an opportunity,” said Ouellette. “She’s become a really good PWHL player and she’s done that through hard work and dedication, through adjusting her game to being physical and tough to play against. She’s great to coach. She wants to learn and she wants to get better. It’s awesome. It sends a message of hope to all of the pro players. Whoever is playing the best is going to have the best shot at playing for Team Canada. The game is shifting that way and I’m really proud of her to have earned that opportunity.”

Tickets will be available starting with a presale — that includes Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose season seat members — this Thursday at 10 a.m., while the general sale begins on Friday at 10 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased at thepwhl.com/tickets and Ticketmaster.ca.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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Ken Wiebe
Reporter

Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.

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