Catherine Daoust Bio
Catherine Daoust is a Canadian professional ice hockey defender for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Known for her steady defensive play and collegiate academic honors, she has been active in competitive hockey since 2014. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, Daoust has also represented Canada at the international level.
Early Life and Background
Catherine Daoust was born on February 21, 1995, in L’Île-Bizard, Quebec, Canada. She grew up in the Montreal area and developed her interest in hockey through youth programs in the region. Standing 165 cm tall, she plays from the back end and shoots right-handed, attributes that have shaped her development as a defender.
Before moving on to the collegiate game, Daoust attended Cégep de Saint-Laurent, where she balanced her studies with competitive hockey. Her time at the cégep helped her earn recognition beyond the rink, including a $1,500 scholarship from the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens in 2013. That same year, she earned her first cap for Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, scoring three points in five games as the country captured gold.
Path to Hockey
Daoust’s pathway to professional hockey began in the Canadian university system and progressed through the U.S. college ranks. Her selection for Canada’s U18 team in 2013 signaled her as one of the country’s top young defenders. The scholarship from the Montreal Canadiens further underscored her standing as a promising student-athlete.
Those experiences set the stage for her commitment to the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she would spend the next four years balancing academics and high-level competition. The move south gave her a platform to refine her two-way game in one of the strongest women’s collegiate conferences in North America.
Catherine Daoust Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
From 2014 to 2018, Catherine Daoust played for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women’s ice hockey program while pursuing her studies. Over 140 NCAA games, she recorded 37 points, contributing as a reliable defender and on the power play. She was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team in both 2016 and 2017 and served as an assistant captain in her senior year, reflecting her leadership on and off the ice.
Her work in the classroom matched her accomplishments on the rink. Daoust graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a credential that distinguishes her among her peers in the sport. By the time she finished her collegiate career, she had established herself as a steady, defense-first player ready for the professional ranks.
CWHL Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Daoust was selected 28th overall by Les Canadiennes de Montréal in the 2018 CWHL Draft. After completing her degree, she signed her first professional contract with the club. In her rookie season, she tallied five points in 27 games, scoring her first professional goal in her second appearance, a 9–0 victory over the Worcester Blades.
Her time with Les Canadiennes was brief but productive. The Canadian Women’s Hockey League folded in May 2019, ending her first professional chapter after a single season.
PWHPA and PHF Years (2019–2023)
Following the collapse of the CWHL, Daoust joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). She played for Team Knox at the Unifor Showcase in September 2019, using the barnstorming tour to stay game-ready and to advocate for a sustainable professional league.
In 2022, she signed with the Montreal Force of the Premier Hockey Federation, where she spent one season. The Force offered her a home-market opportunity in familiar surroundings before the PHF itself was bought out to help form the PWHL.
Montreal Victoire Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Daoust attended the PWHL Montreal training camp and earned a spot on the main roster after a successful try-out. She has since become a steady presence on the Montreal Victoire blue line, anchoring penalty kills and contributing to the team’s defensive structure. Her consistency has helped establish the Victoire as one of the league’s competitive clubs.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defender, Daoust is recognized for her positioning, stick detail, and willingness to block shots. Her right-handed shot allows coaches to deploy her on her strong side, and her four years of NCAA experience have given her a calm, puck-moving approach. She is valued for her reliability rather than flash, providing a stable foundation for her goaltenders and forwards alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments, Daoust’s first professional goal against the Worcester Blades stands out, as does her gold medal with Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. Earning a roster spot with the Montreal Victoire through an open try-out also marked a meaningful milestone in her career.
Catherine Daoust Career Wins
Catherine Daoust’s career has been built on defensive reliability, academic distinction, and steady progression through every level of the women’s game. While she is not primarily a goal-scoring defenseman, her contributions have been measured in minutes played, special teams duty, and team success.
Major Series Highlights
During her tenure with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, Daoust helped anchor a program that consistently contended in the WCHA, with her 37 points in 140 NCAA games reflecting regular-season durability. In the CWHL, she contributed to a Les Canadiennes squad that remained a championship contender prior to the league’s dissolution. With the Montreal Force, she was part of a one-season run that ended with the franchise’s transition into the PWHL.
International Highlights
Daoust represented Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, posting three points in five games as the team won gold. That early international success foreshadowed her continued involvement in the Canadian women’s hockey pipeline.
Catherine Daoust Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Catherine Daoust’s immediate family is limited. She grew up in L’Île-Bizard, Quebec, and her early development in hockey occurred through local programs in the greater Montreal area.
Personal Life
Daoust attended Cégep de Saint-Laurent before enrolling at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Outside of hockey, her boyfriend has launched the Until She’s Paid platform, which profiles women’s hockey players and petitions the NHL to fund women’s hockey.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 PWHL season, Catherine Daoust remains a fixture on the Montreal Victoire blue line. Her experience and defensive awareness are expected to play a central role as the team looks to build on its inaugural-season foundation and push deeper into the playoff picture.
With the Victoire now in their second campaign, Daoust’s familiarity with the league’s pace and her steady special-teams work offer continuity for a young roster. Coaches have continued to lean on her penalty-killing reliability and her ability to log heavy minutes against top opposition.
Looking ahead, Daoust’s blend of professional poise, NCAA pedigree, and international experience positions her as a veteran presence for Montreal. If the Victoire can convert their defensive consistency into postseason success, Daoust’s steady contributions will likely be a key part of that story.