Had the PWHL started as a single league five years ago, these five stars of the game would likely still be lining up in the league.
When the CWHL ceased operations, and the PWHPA was formed in 2019, it marked a stark change in the women's hockey landscape. What followed was an exodus from the sport for many with little opportunity to continue. It wasn't simply a North American issue, but without a single well paying league, players from Europe have left the game as well.
If you look at Switzerland's roster from those 2018-2019 World Championships, their captain and both assistant captains, who are all still in their 20s are now retired.
More than just the players who have retired, but there are players at the ends of their careers in Europe, or locked into contracts who would certainly have joined the PWHL like Jenni Hiirikoski, Emma Nodin, Michelle Karvinen, Lara Stalder, and others.
But there are many who have retired, including these five players, who if in the PWHL today, could still be stars.
Megan Bozek, 33 - A former Olympic All-Star, NWHL Defender of the Year, First Team All-American, the list could go on. Bozek was rock solid on Team USA's blueline winning four World Championship gold medals, and two silvers, and two Olympic silver medals. It's a certainty that had a league existed, Bozek would still be playing, and would certainly be one of the best in the league.
Brianna Decker, 33 - When Brianne Decker suffered a tournament and season ending injury at the 2022 Olympics, there was nothing to come back to for the American star. The three-time World Championship All-Star, six time Worlds gold medalist, and three time Olympian including gold in 2018 has a shot at being inducted to the Hall of Fame. She was twice the NWHL MVP, the CWHL Rookie of the Year, a Patty Kazmaier winner, and more. If there was a high paying league to return to, Decker would have been one of the initial three-year signed players in this league. Instead, she moved on and is now coaching at Shattuck St. Mary's.
Noora Raty, 34 - Raty wanted to play in the PWHL this season, and there were teams (Ottawa, Toronto, New York) who could have used Raty this season, but it wasn't to be, as Raty had left the PWHPA board of directors for the PHF, a decision that caused some in the league to ostracize the future Hall of Famer. She could still be in the league today, but had their been a league five years ago, none of the off-ice issues from recent seasons between the PWHPA and PHF would have continued to fester, and we'd have been gifted with more years from Raty.
Annie Pankowski, 29 - Few could score as naturally as Pankowski. A three-time All-American with Wisconsin and three-time Patty Kazmaier finalist, Pankowski scored more than 200 points in her four NCAA seasons. Whether it was with Team USA, the NCAA, or PWHPA, Pankowski was also near or atop the scoring charts.
Dani Cameranesi, 28 - Truly, at 28 and with only a brief period away from the game, Cameranesi could still make a comeback, but that wouldn't be necessary if a single league had come sooner. She left the game following the 2022 Olympics with USA. By that point she'd won Olympic and World Championship gold, multiple NCAA titles, and independent honors stretching back to being Ms. Hockey Minnesota. Cameranesi was an exciting player to watch and it's sad she's not still in the game.
Other Players: Erika Grahm, Brigette Lacquette, Michelle Picard, Alex Cavallini