PWHL New York had intense final practices, saw the return of Madison Packer, got extra input from injured captain Micah Zandee-Hart, and saw players preparing for the big stage of the PWHL's opener, as Rick Menning writes.
PWHL New York had intense final practices, saw the return of Madison Packer, got extra input from injured captain Micah Zandee-Hart, and saw players preparing for the big stage of the PWHL's opener, as Rick Menning writes.
STAMFORD, CT. -- PWHL New York head coach Howie Draper and team captain Micah Zandee-Hart stayed behind after Saturday's practice on the North Rink ice inside Chelsea Piers Connecticut for a lengthy conversation.
Zandee-Hart, the only player not actively involved in the last practice here before heading to Toronto for Monday's historic opening game, was certainly not an insignificant bystander. She eagerly soaked in her teammates going through comprehensive drills and also took the initiative to skate solo maneuvers at every opportunity.
Draper eventually left Zandee-Hart to continue with her on-ice rehab under the direction of the medical staff. That is, until New York general manager Pascal Daoust joined her for yet another conversation.
While the Cornell University standout - who was awarded the 'C' on her jersey in a recent ceremony at Rockefeller Center - was inactive from a team participation standpoint, her insight was welcomed by both Draper and Daoust.
New York's regular season opener takes place at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on Monday. Puck drop is at 12:30 p.m.
"You just want to get her thoughts on what she sees ... she has such great knowledge," Draper said. "Although she isn't able to practice with the team, she's invaluable in so many ways."
As expected, the action on the ice Saturday morning was a combination of intensity and precision within a fast-paced environment. Every essential offensive and defensive element that might occur during any shift was emphasized and continually repeated under the watchful eye of the coaches.
An extra pair of eyes
On this particular morning, Zandee-Hart was also watching. However, that will likely not be for much longer as Draper announced after practice that she is recovering from her injury faster than expected and should soon be cleared to play.
"We have a very strong work ethic on our team," Zandee-Hart said. "You're going to get a lot of compete with us."
That compete was evident in practice through the virtually non-stop drill sequences that were broken up only by variations in the overall clipboard diagrams.
Daoust is very much looking forward to Monday after months of building on his vision of a team with resolve and grit that will not give in to the peaks and valleys of a regular season and stand tall in every challenge.
"We already have a great chemistry and a family type (atmosphere), so what we will need them to do now is stay focused throughout the ups and downs that a season brings," he said. "The bonding is there, the spirit is there, the good intentions are there. The real character of this team will be shown through the ups and downs of a long season."
The foundation is set
Draper is pleased with the way the New York players have molded into a cohesive unit.
"I feel like we're starting to look more unified. It's an indication that the players are feeling more comfortable with the system and are getting to know each other's tendencies," he said.
While he noted that the camaraderie has been there almost from day one, it has taken much of training camp to develop that productive chemistry.
"I'm quite happy with that now. It wasn't going to happen overnight.for any team in the league ... you have a whole bunch of new players who are playing in a different city so it took time for all that to come around."
Return of 'The Pack'
Every New York player except for Zandee-Hart went full throttle, and that included the full participation of Madison Packer.
Out for much of training camp with an injury, Packer returned with an exclamation point on Saturday as the team's medical staff cleared her to play. New York will have a Sunday afternoon practice at Mattamy in preparation for the season opener.
Packer did admit that her on-ice action in the early going of the regular season will likely be limited despite her go-ahead to compete.
"I've been cleared but we're still taking it day to day," said Packer, who spent much of the practice reacquainting herself with the systems and potential line possibilities. "I came back a lot faster than they expected. The coaching staff is being patient with me.I want to get in there as quickly as i can but I trust the process and I trust the plan."
Another big stage looms
Ohio State University graduate Paetyn Levis is no stranger to big stages in hockey.
As a senior and alternate captain during the 2021-22 season with the Buckeyes, Levis rose to the occasion and had a goal in both NCAA Women's Frozen Four games against Yale University and the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her accomplishments earned her the selection as tournament Most Valuable Player.
Now, Levis hopes to carry that same Frozen Four type of excitement onto another huge stage in Toronto on Monday. She is already seeing that excitement in the play of her teammates all week leading up to the inaugural PWHL showdown on New Year's Day.
"We've carried more intensity in our practices this week," Levis said. "All the excitement and anticipation surrounding the opening game is super cool and to finally get the ball rolling will be really fun for everyone."
However, she added there's a business side to the trip to Toronto.
"We want to come away with the 'W' so it's a business trip," she said. "We have been locked in and focused and been treating our work like game-week preparation because that's exactly what it is."
Back where it began
Just days after New York was announced as one of the Original Six teams in the PWHL, Abby Roque made her intentions felt in no uncertain terms on social media.
She stated in September that she wanted to be among the first free-agent signings on PWHL New York. Daoust felt the same way and welcomed her to the team along with Zandee-Hart and Alex Carpenter.
Now, nearly four months after her strong desire to be a part of the New York roster, Roque is eagerly awaiting puck drop on Monday.
"It's all very surreal right now," she said. "I think we're all so excited to see the league get started and to play in front of fans and on television ... all the excitement that goes with that," she said after Saturday's practice.
Roque loves the way the team is gelling and carrying out Daoust's vision for what the framework of this squad should entail.
"We have all clicked as friends and as teammates," she said. "Everybody on this team is an unbelievable person as well as a great player."