Season two of the PWHL is approaching. Here's a look at a group of players returning from a season off, or a significant injury, who will look to get a fresh start this year.
Season two of the PWHL is approaching. Here's a look at a group of players returning from a season off, or a significant injury, who will look to get a fresh start this year.
A fresh PWHL season is rapidly approaching, and it means a fresh start for everyone, however some more than others.
Whether it was injury or absence, there are a group of players hoping to make a comeback this season and have a positive on-ice impact. Many fans had hoped they'd see Amanda Kessel back in action this season, however that does not look like it will be the case.
There are however, others returning to the game after a year away, and others still who missed almost the entirety of year one due to injury. Here's a look at five players who will look for a fresh start in year two.
Dominika Laskova, Montreal Victoire
Montreal's playoff fate may have been different with Dominika Laskova present. She missed the bulk of last season with a lower body injury, and has remained out of competition through the summer, including internationally. Laskova is a versatile player who can play defense or forward, and Montreal still has depth concerns. A healthy Laskova will go a long way toward solving some of Montreal's issues, and she'll look to assert herself as a key contributor in the league this season. Laskova will also look to rejoin Team Czechia.
Kennedy Marchment, Montreal Victoire
Kennedy Marchment was one of the players from the PHF fans were most excited to see mix and match alongside former PWHPA players last season. She didn't get far into the season before an upper body injury, that resulted in surgery, ended her campaign. There have been concerns with if she'd be able to return. If Marchment can re-join Montreal, it would be another massive addition and boost to their battered depth that sunk Montreal's hopes last season.
Claire Thompson, Minnesota Frost
Thompson took the year off hockey, although she still skated with NYU's men's team, to focus on her medical degree. She was snapped up with the third overall pick in the PWHL draft by Minnesota, and will now set her path to becoming a top pairing blueliner in the league, and on reclaiming her spot with Team Canada. Thompson is the most significant on-ice addition for the Minnesota Frost this offseason, and alongside Lee Stecklein will be expected to carry some load on the blueline.
Gabby Rosenthal, New York Sirens
Remaining unsigned, Rosenthal first has to earn a contract with the New York Sirens in training camp. The former Ohio State standout had recently made her first national team appearance with USA at the Rivalry Series, but last year chose to forgo the PWHL Draft. This year, she's back and ready to take a crack at the top league in the world. New York obviously thought highly of the 25-year-old, grabbing her 19th overall, well higher than most predicted. Rosenthal was a well rounded player at Ohio State, and could be a good addition to New York's depth if she can beat out a returning veteran, or two, for a job.
Sydney Brodt, Minnesota Frost
Brodt didn't even get started last season suffering a serious injury during a preseason game in Utica, New York. She already made her comeback at the end of the season playing the final seven games of the year before suiting up for all 10 of Minnesota's postseason games, but with a full offseason to train again, Brodt will look to earn a spot in training camp, and prove her ceiling is higher than what she was able to show last year.