PWHL New York entered the offseason with a long to-do list. They managed to meet their needs and exceed others. How will it all come together? Here's a look at PWHL New York's organization.
PWHL New York entered the offseason with a long to-do list. They managed to meet their needs and exceed others. How will it all come together? Here's a look at PWHL New York's organization.
New York finished at the bottom of the PWHL standings last year and used the Gold Plan to earn the first overall pick in the draft. They've made signifiant changes on and off the ice the offseason, which the organization hopes leads to realized potential.
Offense
New York returns Alex Carpenter, Abby Roque, Jessie Eldridge, Jade Downie-Landry, Elizabeth Giguere, and Chloe Aurard from last year's forward group which largely underperformed. The additions of Sarah Fillier and Noora Tulus up front are significant. New York already had an offensively minded defensive group who loved to jump into the play, often to the detriment of defensive coverage, but Ella Shelton remains one of the league's top two-way defenders, and New York also added Maja Nylen Persson in the draft.
Defense
On paper, this group is deep and skilled. Ella Shelton, Jaime Bourbonnais, Maja Nylen Persson, Micah Zandee-Hart, Brooke Hobson, and Ally Simpson are a formidable top six. The real challenge here will be getting the group to buy into playing defense. Last season New York's core were at times leading the rush, and more often getting themselves into the play without any regard for defensive coverage exposing themselves time and again to attacks in transition. New York's new coaching staff will have to put their foot down with this group, because if they can get them to use the talent and skill sets they have, this could be an exciting group who will help jumpstart the attack and can use their mobility to shutdown opponents.
Goaltending
Without Corinne Schroeder last season, things could have been very dark in New York. A Goaltender of the Year finalist who was likely the most consistent netminder in the league start to finish last season, Schroeder looks like she'll again be the rock anchoring this team. New York drafted and signed Kayle Osborne to a three-year deal, and they still have Abbey Levy in the mix for their third spot. It's a solid trio. New York will benefit significantly if Osborne can step in and push Schroeder.
Special Teams
New York was actually quite effective on special teams last season and should get a boost again with the incoming players set to join their roster. New York was second in the league with the player advantage with a 24.4% power play success rate, and second in the league in penalty kill with an 88.6% kill rate. Strangely, the best two power plays in the league were New York and Ottawa who both missed the playoffs.
Intangibles
This was reportedly an issue in New York last season with their top forwards dictating who played with who. It led to players feeling devalued and disrespected, and to make matters worse, coach Howie Draper quickly lost his team as well. This season, the new coaching staff, and a fresh group of star power who will move the dynamics away from players ruling the room, should change this environment.
Rookies
Sarah Fillier is the name to watch, although getting her signed remains a challenge. It's hard to call Tulus or Nylen Persson rookies as they are seasons veterans from Europe, but aside from Fillier, there are multiple rookies who could have an immediate impact. On the back end, Ally Simpson is the one to watch, and up front, Elle Hartje could be the closest thing to an impact players as a rookie. Gabby Rosenthal is a wildcard having taken the year off last season, and Emmy Fecteau could be a hidden gem out of U Sports.
X-Factor
For better or for worse, Abby Roque will play a significant role in New York this season. A polarizing player, Roque often hurt New York more than she helped her team last season through penalties, and lackadaisical play. She'll come back with something to prove, and while some love her boisterous personality, she needs to find a way to harness that exuberance for the good of the team. If she can, she's one of the top players in the world around the net and in the corners.
The Brass
Pascal Daoust had a huge feat this offseason in replacing his entire coaching staff. It was easy to be skeptical looking at names people thought would be available. He hit a grand slam with Greg Fargo, Colgate's longtime bench boss, and followed it up by grabbing another NCAA head coach in Josh Sciba who run shotgun, and to add a face who is in the room of USA's national team.