Kaitlin Willoughby Bio
Kaitlin Willoughby (born March 26, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A right-shooting forward from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, she has built her career across Canadian university, professional, and international women’s hockey. She stands 167 cm tall and is recognized for her leadership, scoring touch, and longevity in the sport.
Willoughby first rose to prominence as a point-producing forward with the Saskatchewan Huskies before transitioning to the professional ranks with the Calgary Inferno. After a stint with the PWHPA following the collapse of the CWHL, she joined PWHL Toronto in 2023 and was later traded to the Montreal Victoire in 2025. With Montreal, she became the first player born in Saskatchewan to win the Walter Cup, cementing her place in Canadian hockey history.
Early Life and Background
Kaitlin Willoughby was born on March 26, 1995, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. She grew up in a hockey-focused environment and developed her game locally, eventually joining the Prince Albert Bears, her hometown high school team. Her sister, Morgan Willoughby, also went on to play hockey at the University of Saskatchewan, reflecting a strong family connection to the sport.
Willoughby served as captain of the Prince Albert Bears during her high school years, demonstrating early leadership qualities. Her development in Prince Albert laid the foundation for her transition to higher-level competition, and she continued to balance her athletic pursuits with academic ambitions.
Path to Professional Hockey
After graduating from high school, Willoughby moved to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan, where she joined the Saskatchewan Huskies of USports. In her rookie university season, she scored 25 points in 28 games and was named USports Rookie of the Year, also earning a spot on the 2013-14 Canada West All-Rookie Team. That season, she scored the game-winning goal as the Huskies captured the Canada West conference championship for the first time in program history.
Across 132 USports games with the Saskatchewan Huskies, Willoughby recorded 111 points, leading the team in scoring for three of her final four seasons. She was twice named to the Canada West All-Star Team and graduated with a degree in nursing. Her combination of offensive production and leadership caught the attention of professional scouts, setting the stage for her entry into the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.
Kaitlin Willoughby Career
Early Career (2013-2018)
Willoughby’s competitive career began in 2013 with the Saskatchewan Huskies, where she quickly established herself as one of the top rookies in USports. Her rookie-of-the-year honors and conference championship-winning goal marked her as a rising star in Canadian women’s hockey.
Throughout her university career, she consistently produced offensively, leading the Huskies in scoring for three seasons and earning multiple all-star selections. She graduated with a nursing degree, balancing her academic and athletic commitments before turning professional in 2018.
CWHL Breakthrough (2018-2019)
Willoughby was drafted 37th overall by the Calgary Inferno in the 2018 CWHL Draft. In her rookie professional season, she scored 6 points in 27 games, contributing to a deep Inferno roster that competed for a championship.
That season, the Calgary Inferno won the Clarkson Cup, the championship trophy of the CWHL, giving Willoughby a professional title in her first year. Her performance as a depth forward helped the team secure Canadian women’s hockey’s top prize.
PWHPA Years (2019-2023)
Following the collapse of the CWHL in May 2019, Willoughby joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA). In September 2019, she was awarded Goal of the Game at the Unifor Women’s Hockey Showcase while playing for Team Johnston.
She continued with the PWHPA through the 2020-21 season, representing the Calgary section. During her time with the organization, she also represented Canada at the 2017 and 2019 Winter Universiade, winning silver medals on both occasions and serving as team captain in 2019. She was also invited to Hockey Canada’s 2016 Women’s Development Camp.
PWHL Toronto Era (2023-2025)
Willoughby declared for the 2023 PWHL Draft but went unselected. She was invited to PWHL Toronto’s training camp and signed with the team for the 2023-24 season, recording one assist in 23 games. She re-signed with Toronto for the 2024-25 season.
During the early part of the 2024-25 campaign, she was scoreless in 20 games with the Sceptres. On March 13, 2025, she was traded to the Montreal Victoire in exchange for Anna Kjellbin, opening a new chapter in her professional career.
Montreal Victoire Era (2025-Present)
After being traded to the Montreal Victoire, Willoughby finished the 2024-25 season with one assist in seven games with her new team. On July 8, 2025, she signed a one-year contract extension with the Victoire, signaling the organization’s confidence in her continued contribution.
Willoughby was part of the Montreal Victoire team that defeated the Ottawa Charge three games to one to win the 2026 Walter Cup, becoming the first player born in Saskatchewan to win the championship. The victory marked the pinnacle of her professional career to date.
Driving Style and Strengths
Willoughby is recognized for her consistent two-way play, leadership qualities, and ability to contribute in both regular-season and high-pressure playoff environments. Her experience as a captain at multiple levels has translated into a steady presence in the locker room, while her scoring instincts developed at the University of Saskatchewan remain a key part of her game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Willoughby’s career are her 2018 Clarkson Cup win with the Calgary Inferno, her two silver medals at the Winter Universiade representing Canada, and her historic 2026 Walter Cup victory with the Montreal Victoire, which made her the first Saskatchewan-born player to win the PWHL championship.
Kaitlin Willoughby Career Wins
Kaitlin Willoughby has accumulated championship experience across multiple levels of women’s hockey. From her Canada West conference title with the Saskatchewan Huskies to her Clarkson Cup with the Calgary Inferno and her Walter Cup with the Montreal Victoire, she has been a consistent presence on winning rosters throughout her career.
PWHL Highlights
In the PWHL, Willoughby joined Montreal mid-season in 2024-25 and contributed to the team’s run to the 2026 Walter Cup. The series victory over the Ottawa Charge marked her first professional championship north of the border since the 2019 Clarkson Cup, and her role on the roster made her the first Saskatchewan-born player to win the league title.
Other Wins and Performances
Willoughby captured the 2013-14 Canada West conference championship with the Saskatchewan Huskies, scoring the game-winning goal in the historic final. She also won two silver medals with Team Canada at the Winter Universiade in 2017 and 2019, serving as captain in her final appearance. Her Clarkson Cup win with the Calgary Inferno in 2019 rounds out her list of verified team championships.
Kaitlin Willoughby Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Willoughby hails from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where her family nurtured her early love for hockey. Her sister, Morgan Willoughby, also played hockey at the University of Saskatchewan, continuing a family tradition in the sport.
Personal Life
Beyond her athletic career, Kaitlin Willoughby holds a degree in nursing from the University of Saskatchewan. She has continued to build her professional hockey career in Canada, currently residing as a member of the Montreal Victoire organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 PWHL season was a turning point in Willoughby’s career. After beginning the year with the Toronto Sceptres, where she was scoreless in 20 games, she was traded to the Montreal Victoire on March 13, 2025, in exchange for Anna Kjellbin. The midseason move gave her a fresh opportunity to contribute on a contending roster.
With the Victoire, Willoughby recorded one assist in seven regular-season games before helping the team advance through the playoffs. Her presence on the roster proved valuable as Montreal defeated the Ottawa Charge to capture the 2026 Walter Cup, with Willoughby becoming the first Saskatchewan-born player to win the championship.
On July 8, 2025, Willoughby signed a one-year contract extension with the Montreal Victoire, securing her place with the organization for the 2025-26 season. Her continued role on a championship-winning team reflects her value as a depth forward and a respected leader in the locker room.