The Hockey News' Erin Brown and Ian Kennedy discuss what players they'd love to see in the PHF, from NCAA star Sophie Jaques, to Captain Clutch herself.
The Hockey News' Erin Brown and Ian Kennedy discuss what players they'd love to see in the PHF, from NCAA star Sophie Jaques, to Captain Clutch herself.
PHF free agency has had a number of exciting signings already, whether it be Kacey Bellamy in Connecticut or Alina Muller in Boston, but there are more on the horizon. The Hockey News writers Erin Brown and Ian Kennedy faceoff on who they'd like to see join the seven team league.
Erin Brown: Veteran defender Kacey Bellamy created quite the news by coming out of retirement to sign with the PHF’s Connecticut Whale in April. That’s a pretty significant endorsement of the state of the league from one of the U.S.’s most respected players. With (some) women now able make hockey a full-time career, even earn six figures, it makes you wonder who else is considering signing with the PHF. Ian, who would you love to see join the Federation?
Ian Kennedy: I could name 100 players right now, and it’s all contingent on what the PWHPA does, but I’ll save that for later in this conversation. I’d love to see the youth movement continue here. Sophie Jaques, last year’s Patty Kazmaier winner would look great playing for her hometown Toronto Six, and it would be incredible to see her Ohio State teammate and Burlington product Emma Maltais follow. These youth have an opportunity that seems too good to pass up. First however, I want to jump to Europe. Skylar Fontaine, who was a Patty Kazmaier nominee with Northeastern last year had a spectacular campaign in Switzerland. Unfortunately for the PHF, she just re-signed in Zurich. Nara Elia and Brooke Hobson, former Boston University and Northeastern captains respectively, had great rookie seasons in Sweden and would be fun to watch in North America. Lindsey Post is another Canadian who would make a difference in net and has been playing in Sweden. If I’m a PHF general manager, I’m targeting these players. Back to the NCAA though. I know you’ve been looking at this NCAA graduating class. Who should we be talking about coming out of the NCAA?
Erin Brown: You covered a few. Minnesota is a goldmine of graduating talent right now, which one imagine bodes well for the Whitecaps given their ability to draw homegrown players. Let’s start with graduating Gophers: forwards Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Catie Skaja, Abigail Boreen, Emily Oden and defenders Gracie Ostertag and Crystalyn Hengler. If I’m a GM, I’m knocking on the door of the teammates’ infamous Hockey House with contracts in hand to sign them all. I’d then head up to Duluth to get Gabbie Hughes and Emma Soderberg under contract, then cut back across the state to St. Cloud to sign Jenniina Nylund. That’s a nice core which joins having already played together for about five years rounded out with a national team members. Without a doubt, though, the national team players will be taking a look at the PWHPA, too.
Ian Kennedy: That certainly is a talented graduating class from Minnesota and I know at least a few of those names have been looking long and hard at contract offers in the league. There have been cracks in the PWHPA’s solidarity this spring, whether or not that results in players moving, the general feeling is players are seeing the PHF’s growth, and feel the league is where they wanted it to be. The issue of division no longer seems philosophical or logistical. I’d love to see the entire issue resolved with a single signing. I’m putting this out there, but Marie-Philip Poulin to the Montreal Force wouldn’t be a win for the league, it would be a win for women’s hockey. With the TV deals the Force have in Quebec, she’d be the instant face of the franchise and hockey in Quebec. The many players who have already been waffling in recent months, could now feel free to go where they want, taking their cue from Captain Clutch. The result would be more PHF franchises next year, and a permanent professional home. That said, I don't want to discount the work the PWHPA has been doing. I know here in media, we all want the same thing, more league games to cover in professional women's hockey, and wherever that comes from, we'll support it. That’s my sky is the limit player I’d love to see. Do you have one?
Erin Brown: Every time I think of potential moves, nothing tops Poulin to Montreal. I’m not even Québécois and was touched by her homecoming during the Rivalry Series. Wins for the province, PHF and women’s hockey are nice, but it is a move which would have the greatest impact for the person. Poulin is still in the prime of her career and the best in the world at 32. I’d bet on her playing solid hockey into her 40s, but we also know there’s no guarantee. She had a very scary collision along the bench during one of the Rivalry Series games which reminds us one terrible injury can end it all. Poulin is loyal and selfless on and off the ice, so it is hard to imagine her breaking ranks from the PWHPA. If she ever did, there should be no animosity. Her last stint playing full-time for Les Canadiennes ended abruptly when the CWHL folded. That shouldn’t be the end of her time in Quebec. Captain Clutch deserves a happy ending, soaking up at least a full season of love in Montreal.
Ian Kennedy: I couldn’t agree more. If she wants it, which many believe she does, Poulin should be able to make the best decision for her, for her family, and for the sport. I understand the pressure everyone is feeling to see it through with the PWHPA, they've put in years, and sacrificed. In hockey everyone is taught to put your team first, and these are her teammates, but we can all agree that family first is a more powerful logic. There could be so many of these homecoming stories from PWHPA players to the PHF, particularly in Minnesota, Toronto, and Montreal. I do think we’ll see player movement soon between the PWHPA and PHF, and it might not be to one of the clubs I just mentioned. With the depth of the PHF, we might even see PHF players who need to move in the opposite direction to the PWHPA this season to continue playing as roster spots are eaten up by NCAA grads and European players. We all love women’s hockey, and so do the players. I hope as more players continue to join the PHF, no matter where they’re coming from, we can just celebrate it as a win for women’s hockey that the players now have this choice and chance to be well paid professional players.