The PWHL & US Team Previews
There have been some attempts at professional women’s hockey leagues recently and in past, you can wikipedia that kind of stuff; but the PWHL started its first season in 2023-24. The first two seasons had six teams in the league: Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa & Toronto.
In the first season four of the six teams made the playoffs (TOR, MON, BOS, MIN) and in the first round of the playoffs the first overall Toronto Sceptres were able to pick their opponents. They picked the 4th ranked Minnesota Frost. Minnesota beats them in a best of 5 and faces Boston Fleet for the Walter Cup.
Last season, season two, the Montreal Victoire finished atop the regular season standings. They chose to play the Ottawa Charge; losing to them 3-1 in the best of five. The Charge faced the Minnesota Frost (who beat the Toronto Sceptres) in the finals and won 3 games to 1 to win their second Walter Cup.
Enter Season 2025-26. Two new expansion teams, an expansion draft and player signings later, somehow the expansion teams are favourites to win it all! The season comprises of 30 regular season matches for each team with pre-season games starting November 13th and the season starting a week or so later on November 21st.
In setting up the box pool I got to learn a little bit about each team and their team construction. As training camps will start soon; the excitement and buzz is going to build!
Minnesota Frost
The Frost are two time champions; the only champions so far in the league. They will continue to be led by Kendall Coyne Schofield and their PWHL 2023 draft pick Taylor Heise. Unfortunately they lost several key players to the Vancouver franchise in the expansion draft. The bookmakers have them as the #4 team behind VAN/SEA/MON – Can they build up new chemistry during the season with new players and continue their winning ways in the playoffs?
Leaders / Who to watch for: Coyne Schofield, Heise, Stecklein (D), Rooney (G)
Boston Fleet
Anchored by women’s hockey superstar Hilary Knight, the Boston franchise has enjoyed some success in its young franchise history. They made the finals in the inaugural season of the league and just barely missed playoffs following year. That said, they have lost Knight to PWHL Seattle expansion franchise, but veterans like Keller and Lee Rattray can still steer things ahead. The Fleet drafted Haley Winn from Clarkson University as the 2nd pick in the PWHL 2025 draft. Winn has represented USA in the World Championships with 2 Golds and 1 Silver as recent results. With that level of experience and competition there is no doubt she can be a key contributor to the Fleet’s future.
New York Sirens
Part of the intrigue in this season is how teams will adjust to their new rosters post expansion draft and then also how the influx of draft talent will help each team too. With two of the first 3 draft picks of the PWHL 2025 draft, the Sirens have bolstered their roster after losing 3 of their prior season top scorers. That’s a big change. Their previous first round draft pick led the entire league in points last season, Sarah Fillier. She’s favoured to win league MVP and Top Forward of the season. They’ve been the bottom team both PWHL seasons. I think their goalie prospect may be someone to watch out for – Callie Shanahan.
Leaders / Who to watch for: Fillier, Zandee-Hart (D), Kaltounkova, O’Brien
Seattle Torrent
The Seattle Torrent! As I finish up this preview document today the two expansion team names have been announced. I think it’s the Vegas Golden Knights expansion effect where the new team management really digs into taking full advantage of the expansion draft, signing of free agents and the draft to make an immediate contender. The odds makers seem to think this is the case with both expansion franchises being odds favourites to take the Cup!
Seattle is anchored by the USA legend and superstar Hilary Knight. With other Team USA vets like Alex Carpenter and Cayla Barnes, they have formed a paper tiger. They secured solid goaltending in Corinne Schroeder and drafted a great prospect in Hannah Murphy too. I’m sure the Seattle sports fans are just as excited as we are here in Vancouver.
Leaders / Who to watch for: Knight, Carpenter, Bilka, Schroeder (G)
