Les Canadiennes de Montréal have finalized their roster for the 2016-17 season, General Manager Meg Hewings announced today.

Last year’s powerful offence will be even deeper this season with the addition of 2016 first-round pick Sarah Lefort, whose successful career at Boston University saw her break Marie-Philip Poulin’s records with the Terriers. She joins a group that clinched the top four spots in CWHL scoring, led by Poulin and followed by Ann-Sophie Bettez, Kim Deschênes, and Caroline Ouellette.

Les Canadiennes will also be able to count on even more defensive depth this season as 2016 CWHL draftees Cassandra Poudrier (second round), Brittney Fouracres (fourth round) and Melanie Desrochers (seventh round) join the likes of Cathy Chartrand, Lauriane Rougeau and Julie Chu, all of whom finished in the top 10 in scoring among CWHL defencemen. After guarding the blue line and finishing among the top rearguards in scoring in her CWHL debut with Les Canadiennes last season, natural forward Karell Emard (St. Lawrence University) will join the team's forward ranks this year.

Forward Sara Lachance was released. Forwards Ariane Barker and Audrey Morand, neither of whom attended training camp, chose not to play this season.

The team will kick off its 2016-17 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16 when it visits the Brampton Thunder. Les Canadiennes’ home schedule opens the following week, on Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23 against the Toronto Furies, in a rematch of last season’s Clarkson Cup semi-final playoff matchup. As is tradition, fans attending Sunday’s game will be invited to lace up and hit the ice to “Skate with Les Canadiennes” immediately following the game.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting lescanadiennes.com/tickets.