Kaitlin Willoughby poses with a young fan and the Walter Cup, the first time it's appeared in Saskatchewan. (Image Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Champ is here

Willoughby brings Walter Cup to Prince Albert

Aug 5, 2026 | 2:58 PM

The line was out the door at the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday with hockey fans excited to meet Kaitlin Willoughby and women’s hockey’s top prize, the Walter Cup.

More than anyone else, the line was filled with young girls and hockey players waiting to meet the Montréal Victoire forward and PWHL Champion.

Three of the young girls waiting in line, all decked out in Victoire gear, were the daughters of Chelsea Anderson. She was a teammate of Willougby’s when they both played minor hockey in Prince Albert, and her whole family followed the Victoire’s journey to becoming Walter Cup champions.

“They’re really excited, especially my oldest daughter. She knows what’s going on the most, and she watched all the games with me and watched them hoist the cup on TV, so she’s really excited to come see ‘Willow’ today.”

For Anderson, having someone she’s close with as a role model for her kids is important.

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“It’s been really awesome watching her and just all her success and stuff, and we’ve been cheering her on. It’s cool, having three little daughters, for them to see somebody close to them do this is pretty cool.”

One of the current Prince Albert Raider Northern Bears, Londyn Hoffman, was also in line waiting to get her picture with Willoughby and the cup. To see Willoughby’s path to the Walter Cup start with the Northern Bears is inspiring for the third year Northern Bears forward.

“It’s really good to bring it back here. It’s something for Prince Albert and all young girls wanting to pursue hockey and see that there is a future if they want to pursue it. She played on the Bears, I’m on the Bears, so it’s like there’s always a chance that that could be me one day.”

Willoughby herself shared her excitement to ahead of the celebrations, and seeing the line out the door is exactly what she pictured.

“It’s the best feeling ever and seeing little kids come and smiling and being happy to see the Walter Cup and to meet me. It’s an awesome feeling and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on my day with the cup. Sharing it with the community, that’s really important to me and I’m glad I was able to do this.”

Willougby and the Montréal Victoire won the franchise’s first Walter Cup with a 3-1 series win over the Ottawa Charge back in May.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

Willoughby brings Walter Cup to Prince Albert

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