The Montreal Victoire hockey team has placed on permanent suspension due to the head coach’s drug-related issues…
Montreal, QC – April 11, 2025 — The Canadian hockey world is reeling today after a stunning announcement from the Montreal Victoire organization: the professional women’s team is being placed on permanent suspension following the revelation of a drug-related scandal involving their head coach, Serge Laramée. The shocking decision ends years of competitive play and community impact for one of Montreal’s rising sports institutions.
The announcement was made early Friday morning by Victoire’s executive board and representatives from the Quebec Sports Federation (QSF), who confirmed that the decision was made in light of “irreparable violations of ethical conduct, safety standards, and league regulations.”
A Scandal Unfolds
The turmoil began earlier this week when multiple sources reported that Victoire’s head coach, Serge Laramée, had failed a series of internal drug tests and was allegedly found in possession of controlled substances. According to preliminary reports from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), Laramée is facing serious legal consequences, including charges of possession, intent to distribute, and professional misconduct.
An investigation led by the QSF revealed that Laramée had been under quiet observation for months due to “erratic behavior and growing concerns” raised by staff and players. Following the confirmation of substance abuse and an internal inquiry into his conduct, the league and the team’s management deemed the situation too damaging for the organization to recover from.
Statement from Montreal Victoire
In a tearful press conference, team president Geneviève Marchand issued a formal statement:
“Today is one of the darkest in our club’s history. After careful consultation with legal advisors, health experts, and league officials, we have made the devastating decision to permanently suspend all operations of the Montreal Victoire hockey team. The actions of one individual have shattered the trust we’ve built and jeopardized the welfare of our players. We will not risk their safety or our community’s integrity.”
The Victoire, once seen as a model of professionalism and inclusivity in women’s sports, were in their fourth season in the Premier Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and had built a strong fan base across Quebec.
Impact on Players and Staff
The team’s 23 players, many of whom moved to Montreal specifically to join the Victoire program, are now left without a team—and, in many cases, without contracts. The PWHL has activated emergency clauses that will allow players to enter a “compassionate transfer window,” during which they can join other league teams without restriction.
Team captain Élodie Turcotte, speaking outside the arena with tears in her eyes, said:
“We’re heartbroken. We gave our lives to this team. We had dreams—together. And now we’re being punished for something we had no part in. We just hope the league does right by us and helps us find a way forward.”
Several assistant coaches and team trainers, who were reportedly unaware of Laramée’s behavior, have been offered short-term contracts by other Canadian franchises.
Coach Laramée’s Troubled Descent
Serge Laramée, 48, was once regarded as one of Quebec’s most promising coaching talents. After coaching several junior national teams and earning a bronze medal with Canada’s U22 squad, he was hired in 2021 to lead the newly founded Montreal Victoire.
Sources say the pressures of maintaining a competitive franchise, combined with personal issues, may have contributed to his descent into substance abuse. However, his fall from grace was swift and damaging.
According to an anonymous team staff member, “He changed in the past year—more isolated, more aggressive during practices. Players were walking on eggshells.”
League and Legal Response
The PWHL released an official statement Friday afternoon:
“The Premier Women’s Hockey League is devastated by the situation in Montreal. While we grieve the loss of a team and the pain inflicted upon its players and fans, we stand by the Montreal Victoire’s leadership for making an ethically responsible, if painful, decision. The league will continue to investigate and provide full support to affected athletes.”
Legal proceedings are underway in Quebec Superior Court, with Laramée currently released on bail pending trial. He has not made a public statement.
Sports law experts believe the league’s swift and permanent suspension of the team sets a precedent that prioritizes organizational integrity over damage control.
“It’s bold and rare,” said Lucie Gagnon, a sports law analyst in Montreal. “But it sends a strong message—drug abuse by leadership won’t be swept under the rug, especially when it puts players at risk.”
Community in Shock
Montrealers reacted with disbelief and grief. The Victoire were more than a team—they represented hope for young girls dreaming of going pro, for a city building pride in its women’s sports programs, and for a province with a deep hockey heritage.
Local fan Sophie Lavigne, whose daughter plays in the Victoire youth academy, said:
“We’ve lost more than a team. We lost role models. My daughter cried all morning. She wanted to be just like Élodie and the other girls. This is more than a scandal—it’s a tragedy.”
The youth programs associated with the Victoire have also been suspended, with league officials now working to relocate girls aged 10–18 into neighboring programs.
Mental Health and Ethics in Sport
The case has triggered broader conversations around mental health in coaching, substance abuse in high-pressure environments, and the lack of oversight in smaller professional sports organizations.
Dr. Martine Riel, a psychologist who works with athletes across Quebec, said:
“When we invest so much into winning, we often overlook warning signs. Coaches are expected to be indestructible, but they’re humans too. We need better checks, more support, and stronger protections for athletes.”
A new task force is already being formed by the PWHL and the Quebec Ministry of Sport to review drug policies, implement wellness checks, and provide mental health resources for coaching staff.
What Comes Next?
Though the Montreal Victoire may be gone in name, the fight for accountability and reform is only just beginning. The league is working with sponsors and nonprofit partners to launch a Player Recovery Fund, aimed at covering relocation, housing, and training costs for displaced players.
In the meantime, fans are planning a memorial rally outside Centre Bell this Sunday to celebrate the legacy of the team and to call for the return of professional women’s hockey to Montreal in the future.
As for Laramée, he faces a long legal road and even longer questions about how it all went so wrong.
“We can rebuild,” said Turcotte. “But we’ll never forget this pain—or the promise this team held.”
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