With Sarah Fillier as the key returnee up front for the PWHL's New York Sirens, the excitement grew in the first three picks of the 2025 PWHL Draft as the Sirens selected Kristyna Kaltounkova first overall, and then traded up to grab Casey O'Brien third overall.
It gives the Sirens the 2025 PWHL Rookie of the Year in Fillier, and the consensus top two forwards in the 2025 Draft.
Not to be overlooked in the excitement however, was the acquisition of forward Anne Cherkowski, who New York selected 9th overall with the first pick in the second round of the draft. Cherkowski was a late cut from Canada's national team in recent seasons, and starred for a stacked Clarkson team that saw Haley Winn and Nicole Gosling selected second and fourth overall respectively.
Cherkowski is no slouch offensively herself. She scored 17 goals and 45 points last season in 40 games for Clarkson and was an ECAC First Team All-Star. Cherkowski however, much like Kaltounkova and O'Brien, can do more than score. She's also known for her speed and two-way game, something she hopes to bring to the Sirens this season.
"I would say I'm a very reliable forward, able to play both ends of the ice, and you know I'm strong defensively, but also can produce as well," said Cherkowski. "So I'm hoping to add a little bit of that to the Sirens."
As much as New York's first two picks were touted, Cherkowski is well decorated herself, including twice representing Canada at the U-18 World Championships. Her presence in a top six role, or perhaps centering New York's third line, will help diversify New York's depth, and provide the team with another offensive weapon.
Cherkowski is excited however to be part of New York's young core. She knows how talented the players coming in are, and feels at home among them.
"It's going to be really cool," she said. "(Kaltounkova, O'Brien and Fillier) obviously bring a lot of skill and talent, and you know I'm looking to add to that and play alongside them and hopefully bring up their level of game as well."
"Obviously, Kalty brings an added level of physicality and grit to the game, which is fun. And then Casey, you know, she's a playmaker, so she can make things happen on the ice."
Cherkowski herself will be a key piece to New York's attack when the puck drops on the 2025-26 PWHL season.
