Only a week after the PWHL Draft, the list of confirmed PWHL training camp invites continues to grow. Here's a look at some of the players headed to each team's camp.
Only a week after the PWHL Draft, the list of confirmed PWHL training camp invites continues to grow. Here's a look at some of the players headed to each team's camp.
The moment the PWHL Draft ended, a second wave of free agency began. In the frenzy that followed, general managers began compiling their camp rosters for the November 15 start to training camp.
By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it's a start. A handful of players continue to weight their options, while others have chosen a destination, but are waiting until a formal announcement is made to disclose that location.
Ottawa
Ottawa jumped out of the gate in the PWHL with a strong fan following, and with the group of free agents attending their camp, that interest level is only going to grow. Mikyla Grant-Mentis was one of the biggest names to go unselected at the PWHL Draft, but Ottawa wasted no time extending a camp invite. Ottawa is also bringing Fanni Gasparics and Natalie Snodgrass to training camp. Also headed to camp in Ottawa is Team USA member Becca Gilmore and Harvard blueliner Kyra Willoughby, as well as netminders Rachel McQuigge and Samantha Ridgewell from the PHF. The team has a few more surprises up their sleeves in terms of who will be coming to camp in November, which should excite fans in Ottawa. It would not be surprising to see Ottawa add another international star to their group of camp invitees, along with at least one more PHF standout. Japan’s Akane Shiga is anticipated to be one of these players.
Boston
Boston loaded up on offensive talent at the PWHL Draft and in free agency, and the team wasted no time dipping back into the pool of available players and grabbing some of the best names out there. One of Boston's first players secured is two-time PHF defender of the year Kaleigh Fratkin who will almost certainly join the roster, providing a new dimension to their blueline. Boston will also bring a trio of former Boston Pride forwards in McKenna Brand, Sammy Davis, and US Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Amanda Pelkey to camp.
Minnesota
Minnesota had one of the largest pools of local players looking to land in the market following the draft, and it shows by the deep group they already secured as camp invites. Two veteran names headed to Minnesota's camp include former PHF defender of the year Dominique Kremer, who captained the PHF's Buffalo Beauts last season, and former Team USA netminder Maddie Rooney. Alongside those veterans is former Minnesota Whitecaps forward Brittyn Fleming, and offseason signings of the Whitecaps and NCAA standouts from the state including Abigail Boreen, Claire Butorac, Catie Skaja. Also headed to Minnesota's camp are defender Abby Cook and netminder Lauren Bench. Finally, former Toronto Six blueliner Emma Greco is also headed to camp in Minnesota.
Toronto
It's expected Toronto's invitees will have more of a PWHPA look than other clubs, although they'll also be bringing some familiar former PHF faces to camp. Two of those early PWHPA invites include forward Kaitlin Willoughby who played for Team Adidas last year, as well as Team Scotiabank netminder Amanda Makela. Toronto will also bring Toronto Six fan favorite Carly "CJ" Jackson to camp, and one of the top undrafted PHF defenders Emma Keenan to their tryouts.
New York
New York is a bit of an enigma when it comes to free agent invites. Perhaps their biggest grab of the offseason is PHF all-star and former Metropolitan Riveters captain Madison Packer, who can make an impact among New York's forward group. New York has also invited netminder Kassidy Sauve, who could turn into an excellent find as the team's third netminder. It would not be surprising to see Alex Poznikoff, a former athlete under head coach Howie Draper in camp with New York as well. Another invite to New York's camp is netminder Lindsey Post. The six-foot netminder fits the style of goaltender New York drafted and is coming off a spectacular season in the SDHL with SDE. She was also the 2020 SDHL Goaltender of the Year. Finally, PWHPA member Megan Eady who also played at the University of Alberta with Draper was an invite to New York's camp.
Montreal
Montreal will certainly be bringing a mix of PWHPA and PHF players to camp. Currently however, Sarah Bujold is the only name coming out of the Montreal camp. She's an invite that makes sense given Montreal's draft strategy, and could turn out to be a free agent steal. Bujold is a former USports player of the year, and has proven herself an offensive contributor in both the SDHL and last season with the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters. Montreal is also reportedly bringing Toronto Six forward Leah Lum to camp.