Since the PWHL announced Montréal as one of its inaugural teams almost three years ago, Jade Downie-Landry knew she wanted to one day wear her hometown sweater.
After two years with the New York Sirens, Downie-Landry’s dream finally came to fruition last summer, when she signed with the Montréal Victoire in free agency. Now, Downie-Landry will make her professional playoff debut as the Victoire kick off their Walter Cup chase this weekend. For the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu native, it’s a moment that’s been years in the making.
Homegrown Talent
Downie-Landry’s time with the Victoire did not start as planned. Owing to an upper-body injury suffered ahead of the season, the 30-year-old began the year on long-term injured reserve.
“Obviously it sucked, not the beginning I wanted,” she said, speaking in a recent interview. “But not much I could control there except getting better and doing the rehab that I had to do. When I came back, everyone was great, super welcoming. I was obviously itching to get back, because Montréal is my home. I wanted to play in front of friends, family, our fans, and for the organization. So I was super fired up to play my first game.”
Downie-Landry finally suited up for the Victoire on January 2 against her former New York Sirens team. Her first home game came days later, a 3-2 overtime win against the Minnesota Frost.
“It was surreal,” she said, of her debut at Place Bell. “Even just the first game of the season in Montréal. I didn’t play, but I was presented, and it was, like, it’s hard to put words to it. I played in New York the previous two years, and I always knew that the Montréal fans were the best, I could tell that the crowd was electric. So being able to feel that on the flip side, and in my hometown is just, it’s something that I really can’t put into words.”
As a kid growing up 40 minutes south of Montréal, it was always a dream to one day sport her city’s colours. And it’s a dream that really came on the radar for Downie-Landry when the PWHL announced her hometown as one of the inaugural teams.
“When it became a reality for us, that there was a Montréal team in the PWHL, it’s a jersey I wanted to put on. I knew that from the get go,” she said.
A Force of Nature
Of course, suiting up with the Victoire is not Downie-Landry’s first time donning a Montréal hockey jersey. Downie-Landry played for three years at Montréal’s Dawson College, then five years at McGill University. In 2022, she made her professional debut with the Premier Hockey Federation’s Montreal Force in its one year of operation.
Three years later, Downie-Landry has been reunited in Montréal with two of her teammates from that Force team, Alexandra Labelle and Catherine Dubois. The trio often form Montréal’s fourth line, dubbed the “Quebec line” by fans online.
“It’s great, we go way back,” Downie-Landry said. “I played hockey with (Dubois) when I was, I don’t know, nine years old? We actually recently found a picture, and it’s hilarious. Same with Labelle, I played minor hockey with her, and then we went off to CEGEP and University, where we played against each other. There’s a lot of history there. It’s great to be with them, we’ve been friends for a long time.”
The trio have been building chemistry for many years. Now, it’s paying off for the Victoire.
“I think it translates really well on the ice, we know each other well,” Downie-Landry said. “I know where they’re going to be and we know what we expect of each other. We’re predictable for each other, and I think that helps a lot on the ice.”
Playoff Debut
Through three years with the Force and the Sirens, Downie-Landry has yet to make her professional playoff debut. That all changes this weekend, as the Victoire gear up to host the Minnesota Frost at Place Bell.
“I’m super excited,” Downie-Landry said. “I’m really happy to be a part of it. When I’ve watched (the playoffs), it’s very physical, it’s fast, and I think that plays into my game really well. So I’m definitely excited to lace up and play my first playoff game.”
Montrealers go crazy for hockey, and that kicks into another gear come springtime. But no one goes crazier than family. And for her playoff debut, Downie-Landry is expecting a number of local family and friends in attendance.
“I have people there every game, a lot of people,” she said. “Everyone is a Victoire fan now, so they’re definitely going to be there.”
Listen closely for Downie-Landry’s dedicated cheering section on Saturday afternoon, with puck drop between Montréal and Minnesota scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.