The Toronto Six signed PHF rookie Daryl Watts earlier this week. Her $150,000 salary sets a new record in women's hockey.
There is a new record for the highest-paid woman in professional hockey history. That new total goes to Daryl Watts, a rookie in the Premier Hockey Federation, who last week signed with the Toronto Six.
Her record-setting salary kicks in for the 2023-24 season, when Watts will make $150,000 U.S.
“The Toronto Six is an incredible program, and I feel really grateful and lucky to be able to join them mid-season,” said Watts after signing with the club. “I would say that the drawing point that has me here mid-season would be the doubling of the salary cap that occurred in December. That sparked my interest back in hockey because playing hockey has been a passion of mine from when I was a kid, and now financially, it’s a really viable option. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Watts had previously said she would not continue her hockey career after finishing her storied NCAA career with the University of Wisconsin. Watts, who also played for Boston College, finished her career second all-time in NCAA scoring and won the 2017-18 Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA’s top player.
Last season with Wisconsin, Watts scored 57 points and 28 goals in only 38 games. The 23-year-old Toronto product also twice represented Canada at the U-18 World Championship, collecting a pair of silver medals.
“We’re pretty ecstatic that Daryl Watts is joining our organization,” said Toronto Six GM and hockey legend Angela James in a team press release. “I think for those who know Daryl, this is a great opportunity for the Toronto Six to have a player of her caliber join us.
"Players of her stature will only raise the play of others around her, and in turn, her performance as well. With the talent we already have in the dressing room, I think Daryl will thrive in our organization, and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the Toronto Six.”
The PHF’s current salary cap of $750,000 is scheduled to double next season to $1.5 million with a projected salary floor of $1.125 million.
Currently, Buffalo Beauts forward Mikyla-Grant Mentis is the highest-paid player in the PHF and in North American professional women’s hockey history, making $80,000 this season.
In her first two games with the Toronto Six, Watts has one assist. The Six will not play this coming weekend as the PHF prepares to celebrate their all-stars in Toronto.