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Ian Kennedy
Dec 21, 2023
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The injury bug hit several teams hard in the PWHL preseason and in Rivalry Series games. The majority of those players however, are expected back for opening night. Here's a player by player rundown from the league's general managers.

The injury bug has hit many PWHL teams already. Here's a team-by-team update from general managers on where their injuries stand.

Injuries happen in the game of hockey, but in a league without a development system, a handful of injuries can greatly alter the success of a season.

Perhaps no team was hit as hard early as PWHL Minnesota who lost Sydney Brodt, Grace Zumwinkle, and Susanna Tapani in the PWHL Preseason. Brodt suffered a lower body injury that will put her out for most if not all of the season, but Zumwinkle (shoulder), and Tapani (head) could be back for opening night according to general manager Natalie Darwitz.

In Montreal, GM Daniele Sauvageau said star defender Erin Ambrose is "100% recovered" and ready to return to their lineup. Ambrose suffered a lower body injury in a November 11 Rivalry Series game with Canada and missed the entirety of the PWHL preseason and December Rivalry Series. As well, Kati Tabin did not play in Utica for undisclosed reasons, but it also ready to go for Montreal.

In Toronto, Hannah Miller was seen wearing a red no-contact jersey this week in practice, but as general manager Gina Kingsbury stated, it was for precautionary measures.

PWHL New York lost Micah Zandee-Hart and Madison Packer to injuries this offseason. Zandee-Hart has been out long term but according to general manager Pascal Daoust, she's only days away from medical clearance. He did not however, speculate on whether she'd be ready for opening day. Madison Packer (shoulder) is the other injured player in New York, and is expected back by opening day, or shortly thereafter.

Currently, PWHL Ottawa and PWHL Boston appear injury free.