The second season of the PWHL has shown that with an influx of talent and a more focused off-season, the level of play has increased for all six teams
After the draft this past summer, fans and observers of the PWHL couldn’t wait to see what the addition of so many talented players would bring to the games this season.
Players like Sarah Fillier, Danielle Serdachny, Hannah Bilka, and Cayla Barnes from the NCAA, as well as European stars like Noora Tulus, Ronja Savolainen, and Daniela Pejsova created anticipation and excitement for the second season.
And the results so far have not disappointed. Fillier has x goals and x assists through her first three games, and has all eyes on her as the Sirens lead the league in points already.
Toronto Sceptres’ defender Renata Fast said, “I noticed it the first day of training camp and right away in the first game, just the depth on each team. Every team got better from top to bottom, so it's exciting. You can feel it, players are more physical, bigger, stronger. Everyone had a full summer of training, like a lot of girls didn't have that full summer of training before, but they did now.”
That’s an important point. Returning players were able to prepare for this season, whereas when the league started in January, it was hit the ground running for players, no matter where they were in their training.
“I think that's what I've been most impressed with, is that players that have been out of college for three or four years before this league started, they had to balance a second job. But now they went a full off-season where they didn't have a second job,” said Fast.
“They were in the gym with all the national team players who have done this for years now. They were following the same routine as us and you could see the improvements like all summer long.”
Minnesota Frost coach Ken Klee pointed to his team’s third line when asked about the difference in the quality of play this season in the PWHL.
He said that last year, he had basically two lines that he would count on for offense, and this season, it’s three. The Frost’s third line, in fact, has contributed important points, with rookie Dominique Petrie scoring three goals to tie for the league lead.
Sceptres’ coach Troy Ryan said, “I think the quality of play individually and skill wise has improved. I think the team game still will take some time, like you don't just pick up where you left off last year.
”Right off the bat there's a little bit more depth on all the teams. And I think as that team game grows and the chemistry grows, you'll see ultimately a better product.”
“The game is faster,” said Fast. “I think even the details you're seeing – I mean you’ve seen a couple of saucer passes for goals from all over the league, and just the details. Players are more skilled and more confident.”