Many of the PWHL's top players patrol the middle of the ice. Marie-Philip Poulin remains the best at the position, but who else could be considered a top 10 center in the league?
Many of the PWHL's top players patrol the middle of the ice. Marie-Philip Poulin remains the best at the position, but who else could be considered a top 10 center in the league?
The PWHL had a loaded center ice this season with depth at the position unlike any forward spot. Three of the league's top four scorers were centers, including Marie-Philip Poulin and Alex Carpenter, and the playoff MVP, Taylor Heise is also a pivot. Here's a look at the top 10 centers in the PWHL.
1. Marie-Philip Poulin, Montreal
When you're the best player in the world, you remain the best player at your position. If it wasn't for a heroic effort from Natalie Spooner this season in Toronto, Poulin would be the league's MVP. She finished second in the PWHL in points with 23, and aside from Spooner was the only player in the league to average more than a point per game. When it comes to earning pucks, and impacting the game in all three zones, there are few who can compete with Poulin.
2. Alex Carpenter, New York
Finished the season with 23 points and was New York's most consistent forward. She was the top player for PWHL New York showcasing her speeding and playmaking skills. It was a challenging season all around for New York, but Carpenter was a bright spot.
3. Taylor Heise, Minnesota
The PWHL playoff MVP, Heise had a hot start followed by a slow stretch which included an injury. She's one of the most dynamic players in the league who can bring fans out of their seats. She's underrated in her own zone as her flashy offensive skills
4. Susanna Tapani, Boston
If the PWHL had an award for top defensive forward Susanna Tapani would be a finalist. She also showed herself as a powerful player who rises to big moments, including scoring a pair of overtime goals in round one of the playoffs. Without the trade that brought Tapani to Boston, it's hard to imagine Boston would have found their way to the PWHL finals. Alongside Alina Muller, Tapani was Boston's most consistent foward.
5. Sarah Nurse, Toronto
After somewhat of a slow start, Sarah Nurse got red hot in the second half of the season tying Poulin and Carpenter with 23 points. Nurse became more assertive with the puck down the stretch, and it looked like the World Championships jumpstarted her play further. If she can put together a consistent 30 game season next year, Nurse will be a force to content with.
6. Katerina Mrazova, Ottawa
One of the most creative puckhandlers in the league, Mrazova can find time and space and make plays happen that otherwise looked broken. She's a skilled forward who found incredible chemistry centering a line with Daryl Watts and Breanne Jenner.
7. Blayre Turnbull, Toronto
It took Blayre Turnbull a while to open the season to hit the scoresheet, but from the opening puck drop she was one of the most physically impactful players on the ice. Once Turnbull embraced the fact she didn't need to be a goal scorer, scoring came and her hitting and board battles became even more effective. She's one of the best two-way players in the sport.
8. Kelly Pannek, Minnesota
While other players will take the accolades, PWHL Minnesota would not be PWHL champions without Kelly Pannek. She plays such a versatile role in Minnesota. Although she doesn't lead the way in goal scoring, she leads the way in positive habits, competing for pucks, and showing others how an attention to the minute details makes a difference between being a champion, and being eliminated.
9. Kristin O'Neill, Montreal
Talk about a forgettable first half of the season, Kristin O'Neill will not want to revisit the opening months to the PWHL year. When she left to play for Canada at the World Championships however, something clicked for O'Neill and she brought back that confidence to Montreal becoming one of their top threats, and a minute eating player down the stretch andim the playoffs.
10. Gabbie Hughes, Ottawa
She didn't have big numbers this season, but Hughes was a constant contributor, a steadying presence, and a positive ambassador for the game in year one. She scored nine goals this season, and may be more effective next year still a little farther down Ottawa's lineup to avoid top match ups each night.