Quicker and Stronger: Here's Where PWHL Players Put In Their Offseason Work

PWHL players saw the gaps in their games during year one as they faced stronger and faster competition. Here is what, according to the players, they focused on improving this offseason.

Year one of the PWHL surprised many. For some first time fans, the level of play exceeded expectations. For almost every player, the league was faster and more physical than competition they'd faced in the past. While the players adapted throughout the season, they weren't fully able to work on their foundational skills and fitness to be better prepared for season two.

Speaking to players from each of the PWHL's six teams this offseason, here's a look at some of the areas PWHL players have put in work on this offseason based on their year one experiences.

There were 341 total goals across the 72 games played, or an average of 4.7 goals per game. The calibre of goaltending in the league has been a hot button topic as six of the world's best step into the crease every game. With many players feeling snakebitten, players have spent the offseason looking for ways to adapt. Last year only six players in the league hit double digits in goals scored led by Natalie Spooner's 20, but the rest - Marie-Philip Poulin (10), Grace Zumwinkle (11), Laura Stacey (10), Sarah Nurse (11), and Daryl Watts (10) - barely eclipsed the mark. One item players have been working on this offseason is their quick release. With the goaltending and defending as strong as it was, and the speed of the game higher than ever, players will attempt more one-timers, or quick release shots this season to avoid blocked shots, and catch goalies moving. It's a skill set all hockey players try to master, but was a focus of on ice sessions for many this summer.

With the physicality of the game, and the speed at which checkers could close gaps, turnovers happened, and sometimes were costly in year one. Speaking with players, some spent time focused on protecting the puck against contact, in tight spaces, and against back pressure. It was an important need for many players who will look to take the next step offensively this season, because you can't score without the puck.

No surprise here. The league adapted their own rules, and worked to find the proper balance of physicality in year one. It's something fans and players will look to be more consistently called in year two, as almost no one knew where that line was, and calls for similar actions varied widely. Part of that problem was thrusting an entire league into a skill almost none had utilized fully in their careers. Some players had the advantage of playing boys hockey at the U-16 and U-18 levels at one point in their career where checking was legal, while others relied more heavily on body contact, which has always been legal in women's hockey. The intent of checking is always to separate the puck from the player, and the bulk of those opportunities come along the boards and in 50-50 situations. As players fight for roster spots, and are often asked to take depth roles that involve more defensive responsibilities, mastering this skill will become crucial.

It's a normal offseason want in every league - get faster. Last year in the PWHL however, foot speed and skating was perhaps the most obvious difference between the upper echelon of the league, and those who struggled to earn time. The ability to train as full year professional athletes has been a goal for women's hockey's search for professionalism, and this offseason, the push to become faster, make quicker starts, and to add power were top of the list. Still, offseason training varied greatly across the league, particularly among those players making more money on three year guaranteed contracts who could commit their entire offseason to the game, and those on league minimum salaries who had to work second jobs in the offseason to survive. We'll see if the gap has closed in year two, or if the gap between the haves and have nots gets even wider.