There are a dozen players looking to make a comeback to hockey after taking a season, or several, away from the game. Here's a look at the players hoping to hear their name at the 2024 PWHL Draft who were not in the game last season.
There are 12 players listed as eligible for the 2024 PWHL Draft who are hoping to make a comeback to hockey. That list is made up of six goaltenders and six skaters.
Two of those skaters, Amanda Kessel and Claire Thompson are certain to be selected in the opening rounds of the draft, but beyond the duo, it will be a storyline to watch if any of these players can complete their comeback hopes.
Here's a look at the 12 players attempting to complete a comeback to the game.
Kate Fanning, 1998, D - The 26-year-old blueliner has been out of the game since the 2020 season when she scored six points in 28 games playing NCAA Division III hockey for Lake Forest College. She's a longshot to make the league, but it's exciting to see more athletes keeping their pro dreams alive.
Amanda Kessel, 1991, F - Kessel, 32, is a former Olympic and World Championship All-Star, who has won gold at both events representing USA. She last played in 2022-2023 scoring five points in six games for Team Adidas on the PWHPA's Dream Gap Tour, and also helped USA win gold at the 2023 World Championships scoring nine points in seven games. She'll be picked, likely in the top 10 of the PWHL draft, and the team that chooses her will hope she can reclaim her star power.
Shannon MacAulay, 1994, F - The 5-foot-11 forward won gold with Canada's U-18 national team, spent four seasons at Clarkson finishing her NCAA career as captain, and then turned pro with the CWHL's Brampton Thunder. Then, at 22-years-old, she walked away from the game, but not from elite competition moving on to national rowing competition. Now, seven years later at age 29, MacAuley is aiming to come back to professional hockey declaring herself eligible for the 2024 PWHL Draft.
Gabby Rosenthal, 1999, F - If there's another player beyond Kessel and Thompson who could legitimately get drafted this year, it's Rosenthal. She finished her NCAA career in 2022-2023 scoring 37 points in 35 games for Ohio State. A tough to play against forward, Rosenthal was a player many expected to enter the league last season, but she didn't declare. She could be a sneaky pick up for a team. Rosenthal was on USA Hockey's radar appearing with USA's senior national team at the Rivalry Series before leaving the game.
Alyssa Wohlfeiler, 1989, F - It's hard to argue with the track record Wohlfeiler has compiled in her career. From captaining Northeastern University, to three seasons with the Boston Blades in the CWHL, three seasons in Europe, and five seasons in the NWHL / PHF, primarily with the Connecticut Whale where in 2022-2023, her final season, Wohlfeiler scored 15 points in 24 games for the Whale.
Claire Thompson, 1998, D - The former Olympic and World Championship gold medalist and Olympic All-Star will be an impact player in the PWHL. She's a lock to go in the top 10 of the draft. Smooth skating, soft hands, and a puck moving defender who loves to join the rush. She's made for this league.
Chantal Burke, 1999, G - One of the PHF players impacted by the acquisition of the league, Burke was signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps. She's played limited games since the 2019-2020 season when she started for Penn State posting a 1.69 GAA and .937 save percentage in 31 games.
Tricia Deguire, 1997, G - Deguire had a solid season with the PHF's Montreal Force in 2022-2023 but moved into a role as a video coach for Sherbrooke in the QMJHL last season. She's looking to make a comeback this year, certainly as a third goalie or reserve if she can accomplish the feat. In the PHF, the McGill alumni posted a .918 save percentage and 2.59 GAA in 15 games.
Cassandra Goyette, 1997, G - Goyette played in Kazakhstan in 2022-2023 in the EWHL. She's an alumni of Nichols College where she spent four seasons playing NCAA Division III hockey before turning pro.
Maude Lévesque Ryan, 1994, G - Lévesque Ryan had a solid U Sports career at the University of Ottawa before playing two seasons in the EWHL in Hungary and Kazakhstan. She was a RSEQ All-Star and won a pair of EWHL titles, last playing in 2020-2021.
Jessica Strack, 1998, G - A former NCAA goaltender for Franklin Pierce, Strack has not played much over the last decade, but had decent numbers when she did. Her last hockey involvement was as the equipment manager for the PHF's Connecticut Whale in 2022-2023.
Sarah Varga, 2001, G - Varga played a handful of games at the NCAA DIII level between 2019 and 2021. Another player keeping her hockey dreams alive.