PWHL teams are working on agreements with European clubs, will PWHL Ottawa draft a goalie, a New York player walks, and has PWHL New York found their coach? It's all here in this week's PWHL Rumblings.
PWHL teams are working on agreements with European clubs, will PWHL Ottawa draft a goalie, a New York player walks, and has PWHL New York found their coach? It's all here in this week's PWHL Rumblings.
The PWHL Draft is only days away. It will be one of the most exciting days of the PWHL's growth in 2024 as a new cohort of skilled players enter the league, and the level of talent takes another leap forward.
While the draft is the focus, there's more happening in the league than simply selecting next year's new stars. Here's a look at what we're hearing and seeing across the PWHL.
Does New York Have Their Coach?
It sounds like PWHL New York's search for a new coach is coming to a close. The club wanted to have their new coach in attendance at the PWHL Draft, and that might come to fruition. We should be learning who is taking over New York's bench...soon.
Darwitz Out In Minnesota According To Reports
According to a report by Hailey Salvian, PWHL Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz is leaving the organization.
It comes only days after PWHL Minnesota won the first ever Walter Cup championship and Darwitz's induction to the IIHF Hall of Fame, and days before the PWHL Draft and first PWHL Awards ceremony.
The rumor mill on whose decision it was to leave, and what the reasonings were are already swirling. This is certainly a developing story. For now, it sounds as though Ken Klee and Mira Jalosuo will be running the draft board for Minnesota.
There are two very different sides to this story forming. More to come.
PWHL Teams In Conversation With European Clubs
Gina Kingsbury was the first PWHL general manager to explicitly say what many have been hearing in recent months. The first pathway for development of PWHL prospects will be via affiliations with European clubs.
"We are in talks with some European programs that share our philosophies and share our values at the moment," Kingsbury said in a press conference Thursday.
"Not that we would enforce an athlete that's drafted by us that doesn't make our team to head overseas, but having those opportunities in front of them and being able to help guide them in that sense is one critical part of planning the vision of our organization for future wise.
It sounds as though Toronto is one of the first out of the gate to begin formalizing those agreements.
"We do have some discussions and some agreements in place with some teams in Europe to help us out in that area, if that's needed."
Will PWHL Ottawa Draft A Goalie?
Bet on it. Despite Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld's statements this week saying "We really liked her. And we think she's going to be a really good player in this league. So, we're trying to get her done," regarding backup Sandra Abstreiter, it appears Ottawa may be pivoting, and that Abstreiter might be headed to free agency. She'll certainly draw interest as a third goaltender in many markets, but if Ottawa needs to use a pick on a goalie, it will likely mark the end for Abstreiter in the nation's capital. There are many intriguing options for Ottawa including Ottawa product Kayle Osborne, First Team All-American and USA national team member Gwyneth Philips, Czechia national team starter Klara Peslarova, and reigning NCAA national champion Raygan Kirk.
Fallman Not Returning To New York
The list of players who are stepping away from the PWHL is likely longer than many know. Public statements have come from Melodie Daoust, Jess Healey, and Brittany Howard, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. The list will grow significantly following the draft and heading into free agency as players begin to see the writing on the wall. One who hasn't waited to inform her team is PWHL New York defender Johanna Fallman. She has significant interest from her former team in Sweden, Lulea, who are losing a huge chunk of their core to the PWHL this year, but Fallman's future is undecided at the moment as she's also contemplating remaining in North America for personal reasons.