Toronto is the lone PWHL team looking for a second (and third) netminder. There are plenty of options, but what route will Toronto go?
Toronto is the lone PWHL team looking for a second (and third) netminder. There are plenty of options, but what route will Toronto go?
Toronto loves a goaltending controversy. Perhaps "love" is the wrong word, but Toronto often finds itself in one, at least at the NHL level. In the new PWHL, goaltending in Toronto is also a point of conversation for no other reason than PWHL Toronto is the lone franchise with only one goalie currently in their system.
Heading into the PWHL Draft, Toronto was one of three teams to need a goaltender, and they grabbed Canada's third netminder, Kristen Campbell in the third round, 14th overall. The other two teams, New York and Minnesota selected Corinne Schroeder and Nicole Hensley respectively. New York and Minnesota also selected second netminders in the draft, as did the league's three other teams who had already signed goaltenders.
Now, Toronto sits as the lone team looking to fill their second roster spot in net during free agency. Here's a look at some of the leading contenders remaining.
Kingsbury and Ryan Lean On Familiarity
Speaking to general manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan on the eve of the draft, both stated that when evaluating similar players, familiarity from their roles with Hockey Canada could factor in. While both predate their roles with Hockey Canada specifically, Ryan and Kingsbury will have knowledge from various camps of a trio of netminders available in Shea Tilley, Kassidy Sauve, and Marlène Boissonnault. All three played for Canada's U-18 team, with Boissonneault playing tandem with Campbell in 2014-2015. The leading candidate from this trio however, is likely Shea Tilley. The 5-foot-10 netminder brings size, and a winning background having captured gold at the U-18 World Championships and two NCAA national championships with Clarkson. Following her NCAA career, Tilley played in the CWHL with the Toronto Furies, a team featuring several current Toronto PWHL members including Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner, Brittany Howard, Renata Fast, and Mellssa Channell. It's a familiarity with staff and players that should give Tilley the leg up.
Could Jackson Be Back In The Six?
Carly Jackson is certainly one of the most beloved people and players in women's professional hockey. A fan favorite last season in Toronto, Jackson could find a roster spot in the Six yet again after winning an Isobel Cup title last year with the PHF's Toronto Six. Jackson has in fact been invited to Toronto's PWHL camp, which will be exciting for fans of the University of Maine grad and standout with both the Buffalo Beauts and Toronto Six. Jackson falls in line with the netminders mentioned above at 26-years-old, meaning there's plenty of runway left for the goalie.
A Look At The Veteran Options
Almost every netminder available has played professional hockey, but there are a trio who have significant international experience on their resume. If Toronto is looking for a short term solution, there's perhaps no more talented netminder out there than Noora Raty. Raty, a future Hall of Famer had signed a six-figure deal to come to North America next season to play for the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters, and the Finnish legend is still one of the best on the planet at the position. Similarly, USA Hockey veterans Maddie Rooney and Alex Cavallini are both available, and would provide veteran support to Campbell, should she falter.
Who else is available?
More than 40 netminders declared for the PWHL Draft, with only eight being chosen on draft day. That means the depth pool at the position is still rich. Looking at who remains, teams will be recruiting third string goaltenders as the league lacks a development loop or affiliate system, but Toronto should have first choice for many since they're the lone team with playing time on the table. Lindsey Post, Lauren Bench, Rachel McQuigge, Lindsay Browning, Tricia Deguire, Samantha Ridgewell, and Erica Howe seem like other possible targets with geographic or team ties to the area.