Looking At The Biggest Rivalry Series Snubs

The February Rivalry Series stops provide a unique look into how USA Hockey and Hockey Canada are seeing action in the PWHL this season. With NCAA players unavailable, both nations tapped exclusively into the PWHL for their rosters heading into the final three games of the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series.

As time goes on, any players remain sharp, often together in the PWHL, it will be interesting to watch if the Rivalry Series shifts from a way to get competitive games, to a more active evaluation period of bubble players. 

This time around, USA Hockey certainly added names they'll gain valuable insight on including defenders Maggie Flaherty and Madison Bizal, and forwards Taylor Girard and Brittyn Fleming who will all make their senior national team debuts with USA, and the return of Kali Flanagan, Jesse Compher, Maureen Murphy, Emily Brown, and Clair DeGeorge, who have either represented USA at past international competition or in previous Rivalry Series events. It's a considerable influx of players USA Hockey will get to see go head-to-head as a group against Canada. 

Canada brought in one new player, Maggie Connors, who is a rookie this season in the PWHL with Toronto. Canada also brought back netminder Corinne Schroeder who was named to Canada's Rivalry Series roster in November while Ann-Renee Desbiens was hurt, but did not see action.

With the PWHL season a quarter of the way through, some players have started to emerge and catch eyes of fans and opposition, but didn't get the call to Canada or USA...yet. Here's a look at those players.

She participated in Canada's Fall selection camp, but it's Lexie Adzija's start to the 2024 PWHL season that's worth noting. She's a big, powerful player, who if there's a knock, it's her agility. That said, Adzija has always found ways to compensate. Her stride may not be the prettiest, but the power behind that stride gets her where she's going, and when she arrives, Adzija makes noise. Her confidence looks high in Ottawa, and she's emerging as one of the league's most lethal power forwards. Without Julia Gosling, who played a similar role in Canada, it's surprising to see Adzija omitted. Sophie Shirley is another young forward who has played well this season in Boston, and another that had interest from Canada at their Fall selection camp. She brings a lot of speed off the rush and plays a possession game. The final names include Daryl Watts and Loren Gabel. Gabel wasn't as effective as hoped in the last Rivalry Series stops, which probably spelled out her absence this time, but she's shown her scoring skills again early with Boston in the PWHL. For whatever reason, Hockey Canada has never shown interest in Daryl Watts, who was one of the best NCAA players over the last half decade, and although she hasn't hit a hot streak yet, has been oneof the most dangerous players on the ice in Ottawa. Lining her up alongside Canada's elite in a scoring role could ignite Canada's offense, and give them a new look against the American's they've lacked. Perhaps more notable were the blueline decisions. Zoe Boyd, Brooke Hobson, and Kati Tabin have all showed flashes of their true potential this season on the blueline. Boyd in particular has stepped up to play a shutdown role for Ottawa, and proved herself capable of playing that shut down role. Against the fast and physical Americans, her style may have been a match. Hobson plays a bit more of an offensive game joining the rush and using her mobility. Watching her flatten Kendall Coyne Schofield on a one-on-one last week showed she can stand toe to toe with the best in the world. 

USA's biggest snubs when it comes time to name a roster will almost certainly come from the NCAA. That said, there are some talented players in the PWHL that could have got the call for this Rivalry Series. One name that earned a look is Minnesota's Liz Schepers. PWHL Minnesota GM Natalie Darwitz has referred to her as "Kelly Pannek 2.0" and given the versatility Pannek brings to the ice, that's no small claim. Schepers could make a difference on a third or fourth line for USA, and given she's only 24, is a player who still has time. Similarly Sophia Kunin has played a strong two-way game for Minnesota this season showcasing her versatility. She's a player who could get better as the season goes on after a lack of ice time in recent years in the PWHPA accumulated rust on many players' games. Up front, Paeytn Levis could earn a look at some point, but given USA's forward depth, it will be a hard fight. On the blueline, the two most notable omissions were Jincy Roese and Sidney Morin. Roese in particular has played well for Ottawa this season showcasing her mobility and puck control. USA has more recently gone with similar styled college players like Haley Winn, but Roese will only get better through the PWHL. Sidney Morin is another former national team member who is off to an excellent start in the PWHL. After not coming to terms in Minnesota, she grabbed the opportunity in Boston and has run with it.