Aerin Frankel, Ann-Renee Desbiens, and Gwyneth Philips were named the PWHL's three finalists for the 2026 Goaltender of the Year. It was the second consecutive season the trio were finalists.
Ann-Renée Desbiens of the Montréal Victoire, Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet, and Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge were back for the second consecutive season as the PWHL's finalists for Goaltender of the Year.
According to the league, "The PWHL Goaltender of the Year award is presented by Rogers to the goaltender who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position throughout the regular season."
Desbiens backstopped the Montreal Victoire to a 2026 Walter Cup title, and she led the PWHL setting single season records for goals against average, posting a 1.11 mark, as well as a .955 save percentage. She tied for the league record of 19 wins in 25 games, and only allowed 28 goals over the season.
Frankel has been a finalist in each of the PWHL's three seasons, setting a new single season PWHL record for shutouts with eight. She also set a new shutout streak earning three consecutive shutouts and spanning 226:09 without allowing a goal.
Philips, who was last year's Ilona Kloss Playoff MVP as a rookie, is back for a second straight nomination. She set a new single season record for most starts with 28 in a 30-game season, playing more minutes than any other netminder while dragging the Ottawa Charge to a Walter Cup final.
A selection committee cast their votes for six regular-season PWHL awards, including Goaltender of the Year. The three players that received the most voting points for Goaltender of the Year have been named finalists.
Winners of all PWHL Awards will be announced on June 16 in Detroit.
Desbiens was the 2025 PWHL Goaltender of the Year, preceded by Kristen Campbell in the PWHL's inaugural season.