Here's a look at the rosters and final decisions looming for the PWHL's American teams - New York, Boston, and Minnesota.
Here's a look at the rosters and final decisions looming for the PWHL's American teams - New York, Boston, and Minnesota.
With the PWHL Preseason Camp done, general managers and coaches will be finalizing their rosters over the next day, reducing rosters to the required 23 players.
Any eligible player will be waiver eligible for a period between December 8 and December 10 before final rosters are due to the league December 11. Here's a look at America's three PWHL teams and their final roster decisions.
Boston
Goaltenders: Aerin Frankel and Emma Soderberg play in Boston. Enough said. If that wasn't enough, Boston kept one of the top young netminders in Cami Kronish as their third goaltender. Kronish may have benefitted her development by playing games overseas, but the opportunity to grab a spot in this league may only come around once.
Defenders: Through the preseason camp, Megan Keller and Kaleigh Fratkin were Boston's clear one-two. Jessica DiGirolamo, Sophie Jaques, and Emily Brown looked like the next three in for Boston, with Jess Healey and Emma Buckles fighting it out for the sixth and seventh slots. Healey likely has the edge. While the numbers are against her, Lauren MacInnis was steady in her opportunities.
Forwards: The lone question marks heading into the Preseason Camp for Boston were up front. The team had Loren Gabel, Alina Muller, Hilary Knight, Jamie Lee Rattray, Taylor Girard, Hannah Brandt, Shiann Darkangelo, Sophie Shirley, and Theresa Schafzahl all looked like logical members of their top nine. Boston also has Nicole Kosta signed, but it would not be inconceivable to see a free agent steal her spot. Of the free agents, Gigi Marvin and Taylor Wenczkowski looked like the two players who would slot in first. That leaves a thirteenth forward spot to be grabbed by one of McKenna Brand, Sammy Davis, Amanda Pelkey, and Samantha Isbell. It's a deep group for one spot. Boston made it clear they planned to dress a more opening day ready roster in their final preseason game, which could hint that Pelkey has the leg up as she's the only one from this group who played.
Minnesota
Goaltenders: Nicole Hensley is the starter, but beyond that, the discussion gets more difficult. It was assumed Maddie Rooney would be the next in, but Amanda Leveille certainly showed why she's one of the top goalies unsigned at this point. Lauren Bench had a rough start in her opportunity, and will likely be the odd player out.
Defenders: Minnesota had work to do at this position. Lee Stecklein, Maggie Flaherty, Natalie Buchbinder, Dominique Kremer, and Sidney Morin are all sure things in Minnesota. Without a waiver pick up, that leaves Abby Cook, Emm Greco, and Nikki Nightengale as the free agents vying for a spot. Cook and Greco are the likely players in at the position.
Forwards: Injuries up front are going to play a factor in decisions. With Susanna Tapani, Grace Zumwinkle, and Sydney Brodt all hurt at the preseason camp, Minnesota may opt to keep an extra forward in the mix. Taylor Heise, Denisa Krisova, Kelly Pannek, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Sophia Kunin, Michaela Cava, Liz Schepers, and Brittyn Fleming will all play top nine roles at some point in the season. The team also signed Brooke Bryant, Clair DeGeorge. and Claire Butorac. That's 14 forwards already, and it was hard to deny the performance of Abby Boreen over the week who had three points in the Preseason Games and always seemed to be around the puck. It would be hard to send her home after her play in the camp. That said, GM Natalie Darwitz said her team may use Sophia Kunin or Susanna Tapani on the point from time to time, and it’s expected Sydney Brodt’s injury will keep her out long term. Either way the numbers are against Boreen even though she vastly outplayed signed players.
New York
Goaltenders: While they might not have the same name recognition (yet), New York's goaltending situation will leave Utica as the envy of the league. It didn't matter who was in net for New York, they got a solid performance from each of their netminders, with Corinne Schroeder and Abbey Levy both earning first star, and Lindsey Post out-dueling Canadian national team goalie Kristen Campbell in a win of her own.
Defenders: It's an interesting positional dilemma in New York. Few have a better top four, and few have more questions beyond that. With Micah Zandee-Hart's injury, an extra spot remains open at puck drop, but New York may also choose to utilize reserve Claire Thompson as a stopgap. Jaime Bourbonnais, Ella Shelton, and Brooke Hobson are a formidable group with or without Zandee-Hart. Olivia Zafuto will likely start as the fourth in that group, but New York's bottom pairing is far from set. The fact New York has only one right handed defender in Bourbonnais, gives Taylor Baker and Carley Olivier an edge for one or both of the final spots, although Johanna Fallman showed she can play at this level as well. The odd defender out looks like Emily Curlett, who has offensive upside, but was less mobile than her counterparts.
Forwards: It seems like New York has their forward group settled, and there's a lot to like about it. There was a clear top nine in Utica in Alex Carpenter, Abby Roque, Jessie Eldridge, Elizabeth Giguere, Chloe Aurard, Emma Woods, Jade Downie-Landry, Jill Saulnier, and Paetyn Levis. At the bottom of New York's lineup, New York will soon get to welcome back Madison Packer, who once signed will add a new layer to their forward depth. The final three forwards are already signed in Savannah Norcross, who showed her value as a bottom six energy player, Kayla Vespa, and Alexandra Labelle. While she's capable, it looks as though Alexa Gruschow is the odd player out here.