We are just over a week away from the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League season getting underway. With just six teams, each lineup is stacked with talent.
Today, we look at three teams from the United States, breaking down their star players and how they matchup with the rest of the PWHL.
Boston
Up front, Boston has both experience and youth that can put the puck in the back of the net.
Arguably the most popular face is Hilary Knight. The star U.S. National Team player signed with Boston to bring both a veteran presence, along with her all-world talents. The 34-year-old might not have had the greatest 2022-23 campaign with Team Sonnet in the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour (DGT), but Knight has shown flashes of her vintage self, currently leading the Rivalry Series with six points in four games.
Brampton, Ontario – Team USA forward Hilary Knight (#21) during a game at CAA Arena on April 5, 2023. (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
Hannah Brandt brings in a championship pedigree, having won the Premier Hockey Federation’s (formerly National Women’s Hockey League) Isobel Cup with the Minnesota Whitecaps in 2019, along with her years of experience in the red, white and blue. She’ll be leaned on heavily to be a quality producer.
Arguably the most significant rookie is Alina Müller. One of the biggest reasons for Switzerland’s recent rise in women’s hockey, Müller is coming off a stellar career at Northeastern that saw her nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Award (given to the best NCAA player) in each of her five seasons. The former Boston Pride (PHF) signee is the all-time Hockey East points leader, scoring 175 points as a Husky.
PWHL Boston forward Hannah Brandt (Credit: PWHL)
Megan Keller has been a big part of the American D-core over her career, and was third among defender scoring in the DGT last season, scoring 12 points in 20 games. Sydney Morin is in her second pro season in North America after an illustrious run overseas, as the former Minnesota-Duluth star was a two-time SDHL (Sweden) Defender of the Year.
Boston’s goaltending duo replicates the Boston Bruins’ tandem – in that it might be one of the best in the league (also featuring an American and Swedish native). Aerin Frankel backstopped the U.S. to its first world championship in four years, and was one of the best goaltenders in the DGT. And then there’s Emma Söderberg, who has been a big part of Sweden ever since bursting on the Under-18 scene in 2015. The two-time WCHA Goaltender of the Year is an early rookie of the year candidate.
With plenty of national team experience, and depth on the back end, Boston has the tools to get out ahead of the pack in Year 1. They’ll begin their journey by hosting Minnesota at Tsongas Center in Lowell on Jan. 3
Minnesota caught everyone’s attention at the Development Camp in Utica earlier this month by winning each of their three scrimmages. They have some high-powered offensive weapons some talented pieces to keep the puck out of the net.
Kendall Coyne (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
The big fish here will be Kendall Coyne Schofield, but how good will she be? She gave birth to her first son, Drew, on July 1, and has been given time to prepare on her own post-partum. General manager Natalie Darwitz has stated that she’ll be ready for the beginning of the season, and was recently seen practicing with USA’s U-18 men’s hockey team.
That said, Taylor Heise is more than capable of leading the charge. The first overall pick in the PWHL Draft, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher is coming off an incredible college career, where she won the 2022 Patty Kazmaier and was a big part of the U.S. side that knocked off Canada at the women’s Worlds in Brampton.
Taylor Heise (PWHL)
Minnesota has some European flavor that is going to bolster the offense. Susanna Tapani is playing on this side of the pond for the first time in a decade. The 30-year-old developed into one of the go-to players for Finland, though she took last season off from hockey, captaining her country’s ringette team to World Championship gold, earning tournament MVP honors.
Denisa Křížová had a great 2022-23 campaign, helping Czechia to its second-straight bronze medal at the Women’s Worlds, while also being named a PHF All-Star with the Whitecaps. She was a dominant scorer in the SDHL, scoring 148 points in 129 games with Brynas before coming to North America.
Minnesota’s pair between the pipes is very familiar to one another. Nicole Hensley and Maddie Rooney were teammates on the 2022 Olympic and World Championship teams. Hensley has been a U.S. National Team mainstay for the last few seasons, though she has never had the No. 1 job. Rooney is a very capable goaltender, and one was one of three goaltenders that helped Team Adidas finish second in the DGT last season.
Minnesota did have some injury scares during the Development Camp, losing Sydney Brodt for an extended period of time. However, they can certainly make waves with an experienced top six and solid goaltending.
After opening up their season against Boston on Jan. 3, Minnesota will take to the ice at the Xcel Energy Center against Montreal on Jan. 6.
Last, but not least, is the team that is set to have homes in different states. New York was originally announced to be playing at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They’re also going to spend some time at UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders.
Jesse Eldridge, Emma Woods, Abby Roque (PWHL)
Nevertheless, the troubadour hockey team is going to rely on its offense. Abby Roque has burst onto the scene as one of hockey’s top scorers. The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native was the top American scorer in the DGT last season, scoring nine points in seven games at the women’s Worlds in Brampton.
She will be joined by fell U.S. national member Alex Carpenter, who is currently leading the Rivalry Series with three goals.
Elizabeth Giguère, the 2020 Patty Kazmaier winner, had a great rookie season with the Boston Pride, and is on the bubble to be a future Canadian national team member. Currently on Team Canada, Jesse Eldridge finished third in the DGT last year in scoring (22), winning the PWHPA Championship with Team Harvey’s.
There is plenty of national team experience on the blue line. Taylor Baker (Hungary), Johanna Fällman (Sweden), Ella Shelton and Jaime Bourbonnais (Canada) are going to be key pieces for New York.
PWHL New York defender Jaime Bourbonnais (Credit: PWHL)
Goaltending will be the biggest question mark for New York. Corrine Schroeder is coming off an incredible seasons with the Pride, losing just once during the regular season. She will be joined by rookie Abbey Levy, who was third string on the American team that won gold at the Women’s Worlds last spring and had a fruitful career at Boston College.
They will be joined by former Calgary Inferno (CWHL) netminder Lindsey Post, who is returning to North America after spending the last four seasons with SDE HF (SDHL), earning Goaltender of the Year honors in 2020.
This trio doesn’t have an extensive international pedigree nor feature other tandems’ championship experience.
New York has the honor of participating in the first game in PWHL history. They will visit Toronto at the Mattamy Athletic Center (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) on New Year’s Day. Their home opener at Total Mortgage Arena will be on Jan. 5, against Toronto.
Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.
Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.
The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.
He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.
“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.
The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.
Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.
“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”
The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
