Victoire protect Ambrose after losing Barnes, Gardiner

The Montreal Victoire added defender Erin Ambrose to their protection list as part of the PWHL's expansion process, the team announced Thursday.

The Victoire's fourth and final protection slot was activated after the team lost Cayla Barnes to Seattle and Jenn Gardiner to Vancouver.

Ambrose tallied 13 assists in 28 games this season and added one assist in four playoff contests. She ranked second on the Victoire by averaging 21:30 of ice time per contest, and her plus-10 rating was fourth among all PWHL defenders.

The 31-year-old was named a first-team All-Star in 2024 and was the PWHL's inaugural Defender of the Year.

Ambrose joins forwards Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey, plus goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, on Montreal's protection list. The Victoire will lose two more players in the expansion process and won't be able to protect any additional players.

The remaining unprotected Victoire players are forwards Abby Boreen, Dara Greig, Amanda Kessel, Lina Ljungblom, Maureen Murphy, and Kristin O'Neill, as well as defenders Amanda Boulier and Anna Wilgren.

Ambrose was selected in the first round, sixth overall, by the Victoire in the PWHL's first draft in 2023. She has one season remaining on her contract.