Sceptres acquire Kjellbin from Victoire for Willoughby in only trade at deadline

The PWHL trade deadline looked like it was going to come and go without a single move made until the league’s two top teams stepped up.

In the only move made before Thursday’s 2 p.m. ET deadline, the Toronto Sceptres traded forward Kaitlin Willoughby to the Montreal Victoire in exchange for defender Anna Kjellbin.

Willoughby, from Prince Albert, Sask., has one assist in 43 career games for the Sceptres. She joined Toronto as a free-agent invite ahead of the inaugural PWHL season, then signed a one-year contract extension for the 2024-25 season.

“First of all, we’d like to thank Anna for the trust she had placed in us and for accepting a contract with our team,” said Montréal general manager Danièle Sauvageau in a statement. “Anna is the captain of her national team and has had a significant impact on our players, coaching staff and support staff. Her time with us has been nothing but positive. We wish her all the best with her new team. Kaitlin’s arrival allows us to add even more depth to our squad. Both teams are visibly happy with these additions, which answered both of our needs.”

Kjellbin, 30, was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 PWHL draft by Montral. In 18 career games for Montreal, the Göteborg, Sweden, native has one assist.

“With the trade deadline, we felt strongly about bringing another defender onto our roster,” said Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a statement. “Anna, a right-handed D, brings international experience and is a proven leader as the captain of Team Sweden. We are excited to welcome her to our Sceptres family. At the same time, we thank Kaitlin Willoughby for her contributions to the organization and her impact on the team, fans and community as an inaugural member of Toronto’s team.”

The Victorie are first in the PWHL with 44 points, while the Sceptres sit second with 36 points.

The PWHL playoffs will begin the week of May 5.