Looking at what a second women's Team of The Year would be in NHL 24
Yesterday The Hockey News took a look at the 2024 Women’s Team of The Year, but as with all awards in hockey some extremely talented and deserving players were left on the outside looking in.
The six winners were chosen by EA out of a pool of 23 nominees. Given all of the outstanding talent we wanted to take a look at which of the nominees would make up a second Women’s Team of The Year in NHL 24.
Marie-Philip Poulin - CAN - Forward - PWHL Montreal
Poulin is one of the best women’s players of all-time and is arguably the most popular active player. She captained Canada at the 2023 Women’s World Championship and posted eight points in seven games.
The 32-year-old was one of the first players to sign in the PWHL and currently leads Montreal with four goals and five points in five games. Poulin had a women’s TOTY card in NHL 23.
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Petra Nieminen - FIN - Forward - Lulea HF
Nieminen led Finland and finished second in tournament scoring at the 2023 Women’s Worlds with 13 points in seven games.
Meanwhile in the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) Nieminen led her club team Lulea to a league championship in 2022-23, taking home playoff MVP in the process. She has picked up right where she left off this season as she is currently second in league scoring with 39 points in 25 games.
Lara Stalder - SWI - Forward - EVZ Women’s Team
Stalder improved on a strong showing at the 2022 Olympics by putting up 11 points in seven games for Switzerland at the 2023 Women’s World Championship. She also led the SDHL in points in 2022-23 with 61.
This season the 29-year-old has put up a ludicrous 93 points in 13 games while captaining EVZ in the Swiss Women’s Hockey League B.
Nelli Laitinen - FIN - Defense - University of Minnesota
Laitinen took on a big role for Finland at the Women’s World Championship, posting 10 points in seven games. She was also named to the NCAA All-Rookie team.
She has 15 points in 22 games this year in her second season with the Golden Gophers.
Cayla Barnes - USA - Defense - Ohio State University
A rising star for the USA, Barnes played a central role on the blueline for the gold medal winners, notching eight points in seven games at the Women’s Worlds.
After four successful years at Boston College Barnes has 17 points in 20 games for The Buckeyes this season.
Ann-Renee Desbiens - CAN - Goaltender - PWHL Montreal
Canada’s dependable starter put up a 4-1 record at the 2023 Women’s Worlds and backstopped Canada to the gold medal game.
She was one of the first players signed in the PWHL and currently has a .912 save percentage and 2-1-1 record for Montreal. Desbiens had a TOTY card in NHL 23.