Montreal Victoire’s Roque suspended one game by PWHL for illegal check to the head

Montreal Victoire Abby Roque, right, checks Vancouver Goldeneyes Darcie Lappan during second period PWHL action in Quebec City, Sunday, January 11, 2026. Victoire Dara Greig is at left. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

The Professional Women’s Hockey League has suspended Montreal Victoire forward Abby Roque one game for an illegal check to the head.

Roque was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for her hit on Vancouver forward Abby Boreen in the third period of Montreal’s 1-0 win over the Goldeneyes on Sunday in Quebec City.

The PWHL said in a release that its Player Safety Committee found Roque took a poor angle of approach to deliver a hit on an unsuspecting player.

The committee said Roque made Boreen’s head the main point of contact on a play where that could have been avoided.

It’s the first time Roque has been disciplined by the league in her 64-game career.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2026.