The Professional Women's Hockey League has handed down a one-game suspension to Montreal Victoire forward Abby Roque for an illegal check to the head. The incident occurred during a game against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
The Incident and League Ruling
At 4:06 of the third period, with Montreal leading 1-0, Vancouver's Abby Boreen was entering the offensive zone. As she received a pass, Roque delivered a hit from over Boreen's left shoulder. The impact caused Boreen's head to make contact with Roque's shoulder. Officials assessed Roque a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the play.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 13, the PWHL Player Safety Committee explained its decision. The committee determined Roque took a poor angle of approach to hit an unsuspecting player, making the head the main point of contact on an avoidable play. The league noted that Roque has no prior history of discipline.
Consequences for Montreal Victoire
As a result of the suspension, Abby Roque will miss the Victoire's next game. She is sidelined for the Tuesday, January 13 matchup against the Ottawa Charge at Place Bell. The forward, who has recorded four goals and six assists in ten games this season, is eligible to return for Sunday's contest against the New York Sirens.
Following the hit, Abby Boreen briefly left the ice to visit the dressing room but was able to return to the game shortly after. The league's video explanation reiterated that the check to the head was deemed avoidable, leading to the disciplinary action.
Player Safety in Focus
This suspension highlights the PWHL's ongoing commitment to player safety, particularly regarding head contact. The league's swift review and decision underscore a zero-tolerance policy for illegal hits, even for players with clean disciplinary records. The ruling serves as a reminder to all players about the responsibility to avoid dangerous plays.
