Each team had needs leaving free agency and the draft. How have they done so far in addressing those via camp invites?
Each team had needs leaving free agency and the draft. How have they done so far in addressing those via camp invites?
Following the PWHL Draft and free agency, every PWHL team still had work to do in terms of securing their final roster. It didn't take some teams long to answer those needs for some teams. Here's a look at how each team has addressed their organizational needs through camp invites.
New York
Scoring depth was the most evident need for New York following the PWHL Draft. Madison Packer is the key addition in free agency, and is the obvious pick to secure as a free agent. Packer can play up and down the lineup and produce in any role given. Kendall Cornine, Savannah Norcross, and Hayley Lunny are intriguing depth options. Haley Skarupa's future in the league is currently unknown, but is perhaps the top uncommitted free agent at the moment for New York to target, who could bring veteran scoring depth to the lineup.
New York had five defenders rostered following the draft, and they have no shortage of options to fill their sixth and seventh positions. PHF veterans Taylor Baker and Christine Deaudelin will likely battle for the final roster spot, but All-Canadian defender Carley Olivier is a wildcard to watch as her upside could win a spot.
Ottawa
Michael Hirshfeld entering free agency was like Augustus Gloop stepping into Wonka's factory. Sharing wasn't his strong suit, and he wanted everything for himself. That's a full on compliment as Hirshfeld indisputably secured the strongest free agent crop of camp invites. Looking for two full time roster spots up front, and others to fill depth roles, Ottawa brought in Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Natalie Snodgrass, two of the PHF most consistent offensive threats from last season, along with Hungarian and Japanese national team standouts Fanni Gasparics and Akane Shiga, and Team USA national team member Becca Gilmore. Ottawa also targeted Rosalie Demers and Malia Schneider, two of the top remaining PWHPA based forwards, and NCAA standout Liliane Perreault among others. There's enough depth in that group to make up a few quality lines, and it will create an incredibly competitive environment at camp.
On the back end, Ottawa enters training camp with six defenders. Tori Howran, Saroya Tinker, and Kyra Willoughby will look to disrupt that hierarchy, and the veteran experience of both Howran and Tinker would be welcomed additions to the roster.
Montreal
If Swedish officials hold true to claims, and no transfer agreement is struck related to Lina Ljungblom, Montreal may be the only team in the league entering with three players needed to fill out an opening night roster. Luckily for Montreal, they have three obvious choices up front coming to camp who can make up for Ljungblom. Sarah Bujold was one of the most hotly sought after free agents following the draft fielding interest from multiple markets, but ultimately chose Montreal where among a highly skilled forward corps her skills will certainly thrive. The same could be said for Leah Lum, a PHF all-star and assistant captain for Team China at the recent D1A World Championships. Similarly, Montreal Force alumni Sarah Lefort is in the fold. It's a trio of forwards that belong in this league, and will make Montreal stronger.
On the back end, Montreal also needs a defender. It would not be surprising to see them try to scoop Howran or Tinker from Ottawa if one or either does not land a spot, but bringing Catherine Daoust to camp gives them a blueliner highly capable of playing third pairing minutes, and Brigitte Laganière is another viable depth option with pro experience. Mariah Keopple, a standout with Princeton last season should not be counted out either.
Boston
Boston is bringing the minimum ten players required by the league to fill out their 28 player training camp roster. It signals Boston is very comfortable with the players they have rostered, and the players coming to camp. The highlight of the group is defender Kaleigh Fratkin, who can play top four minutes in this league and will provide sandpaper to go with Boston's skill. It's believe Fratkin has already been offered and accepted a contract with Boston.
Leaving the draft, Boston still had two opening night roster spots available up front and the quality of players they're bringing to camp to compete for those spots is impressive. McKenna Brand and Amanda Pelkey are two of the likely leading contenders for those spots, followed by pros Sammy Davis, Nicole Kosta, and Taylor Wenczkowski.
One of the most intriguing free agent invites across the league is 36-year-old Gigi Marvin. Marvin is one of the most decorated American national team players with three Olympic medals and seven World Championship medals including gold in each event. Marvin did not play this past season. Given Boston's defensive needs, Marvin definitely appears to be in the mix, and could serve as a veteran mentor and coach in many circumstances as much as a player.
Minnesota
The biggest need for Minnesota heading into free agency was on the blueline, as veteran stability looked like an issue. Minnesota immediately dealt with that bringing in Dominique Kremer, followed by the invites of Emma Greco and Abby Cook who will fight for depth roles.
Up front, Minnesota has a wealth of young talent coming to camp in Catie Skaja, Abigail Boreen, and Claire Butorac, and Brittyn Fleming. Minnesota will need one forward to fill out their opening night roster, but the potential in this group to emerge as contributors throughout the season will certainly tempt Minnesota to hold multiple players, even if it's in a reserve capacity.
The final intrigue from camp will be in net. While the team selected Nicole Hensley and Amanda Leveille, they are bringing in Maddie Rooney and Lauren Bench as free agents to camp. Don't be certain the netminders selected in the PWHL Draft will be Minnesota's 1-2 on opening night.
Toronto
The biggest need for Toronto heading into free agency is a second goaltender to challenge Kristen Campbell in net. While neither are confirmed invites, the leading candidates heading into this period were Shea Tiley and Marlène Boissonnault. Neither have been confirmed to a PWHL camp roster...yet, but one of both could be in Toronto fighting for a spot in net. Toronto does have CJ Jackson and Amanda Makela coming to camp, both with a proven track record at the professional level. It's the position to watch in Toronto.
Toronto drafted six defenders, but by bringing in Emma Keenan who played in the PHF last season and Jessica Kondas who skated in the SDHL, it's clear Toronto may be open to alternatives on the back end. Mellissa Channell is presumably the most at risk on the back end to face a camp battle for a roster spot as she currently pencils in at sixth on Toronto's depth chart.
Up front, only Kaitlin Willoughby is a confirmed camp invite up front. As a fourth line player, Willoughby could handle her own. It would not be surprising to see Hannah Miller's former teammate Kaitlyn Tougas land a tryout in Toronto, and steal the roster spot, while long time Toronto Furies forward Carolyne Prevost could be another depth contender.