Ranking PWHL Team's Camp Invites: Ottawa Leads The Way

Here's a countdown ranking each PWHL team's training camp invites for the 2023-2024 season.

PWHL camp rosters are out. Each team was required to bring a minimum of 10 invites to camp to round out their required 28 player camp roster. Toronto, Minnesota and Boston brought the smallest groups of invites bringing in only 11 invitees each meaning they'll each enter camp with 29 players. New York will bring 16 players to camp, Ottawa 15, and Montreal 14.

Considering only the free agent invites, here's a look at who secured the strongest list of invitees for training camp:

1. Ottawa

There's no doubt Ottawa's free agent invite list is the strongest among the six PWHL franchises. Ottawa brought in Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Natalie Snodgrass, two of the PHF most consistent offensive threats from last season, along with Hungarian and Japanese national team standouts Fanni Gasparics and Akane Shiga, and Team USA national team member Becca Gilmore. Gilmore went undrafted, but was recently named to Team USA's Rivalry Series roster for November. Ottawa also targeted Rosalie Demers and Malia Schneider, two of the top remaining PWHPA based forwards, and NCAA standout Liliane Perreault. No one would have blinked an eye had Ottawa drafted these players, showing how strong this group actually is. On the back end, Ottawa continued their show of force in recruiting camp invites by securing Saroya Tinker, one of the top defensive defenders in the game, and Tori Horwan from the PHF. They also brought in former Harvard captain Kyra Willoughby. Ottawa has two goalies secured, but with Samantha Ridgewell and Rachel McQuigge coming to camp as well, the team has depth at all positions.

2. Boston

Boston brings the bare minimum in numbers, but they are focused on quality over quantity. Boston is bringing in the top unselected defender at the draft in two-time PHF Defender of the Year Kaleigh Fratkin who will add physicality and a compete level Boston will depend on. Up front, their group includes McKenna Brand, Sammy Davis, Amanda Pelkey, Taylor Wenczkowski, and Samantha Isbell are capable of not only providing depth two-way play, but in Brand and Pelkey specifically, Boston is bringing in players who can move up the lineup offensively, and who all have Boston connections having played for the PHF's Pride. Nicole Kosta and Gigi Marvin round out the skaters in this group, with long time USA national team member Marvin being a wildcard in the situation. With Tatum Skaggs not attending, Boston's depth coming in at forward will have an added chance to make the roster. Boston already has two of the top goalies in the world in net, and with Lindsay Browning and Cami Kronish coming to camp, the franchise has an embarrassment of riches at the position.

3. Montreal

Montreal perhaps grabbed the most sought after free agent invite up front in Sarah Bujold, who fielded interest from multiple teams. Bujold has scored everywhere she's been, and brings a skill level that is present across Montreal's lineup. Leah Lum, Alex Poznikoff, and Sarah Lefort provide more scoring depth and skill up front. On the blueline, Catherine Daoust, Princeton grad Mariah Keopple, and Brigitte Laganiere will compete for final roster spots, as each are capable of playing in the league. Daoust has the edge, but Keopple provides a unique opportunity for the team to develop a younger player. In net, while Montreal signed Ann-Renee Desbiens and selected Elaine Chuli in the draft, the team is bringing a trio of netminders including Marlène Boissonnault, Marie-Soleil Deschênes, and Blanka Skodova.

4. Minnesota

Bringing in Buffalo Beauts captain and former PHF Defender of the Year Dominique Kremer is a coup for Minnesota, who needed another veteran on the back end. It will be an intriguing battle in camp to see if Maddie Rooney or Amanda Leveille emerges with an opening night roster spot, but there's speculation Rooney has the pre-camp edge in this discussion despite Leveille being drafted by the team. Completing their defensive invites are Toronto Six defender Emma Greco, and Abby Cook who had signed in the PHF but spent last season in Switzerland. These defenders will get a long look in camp with Minttu Tuominen, the team's 14th round pick not attending. The real strength in Minnesota's invite group is the young talent up front. Minnesota was able to secure a group of recent NCAA grads who all have international experience with USA including Brittyn Fleming, Abigail Boreen, Claire Butorac, and Catie Skaja. There's no wrong answer in bringing along any of those players as depth.

5. New York

The highlight of New York's invite group is PHF all-star and former Metropolitan Riveters player Madison Packer. Her physicality and scoring ability can be moved up and down the lineup. Can she provide a power forward force in the top six? Yes. Can she check and guide a bottom six unit? Absolutely. New York has another smattering of PHF invitees including Hayley Lunny, Savannah Norcross, Taylor Baker, Christine Deaudelin, and Kendall Cornine who could all grab a spot. PWHPA veteran Megan Eady and All-Canadian USports star Carley Olivier are also competing on the blueline, while Lindsey Post and Kassidy Sauve are set to compete for the third goaltending position. All in all, it's a well rounded group, with a decided Canadian university feel which matches head coach Howie Draper's experience. What they have are players capable of taking any role given, with distinct upside, which will make for some interesting camp battles.

6. Toronto

Don't worry Toronto fans. Following the draft, Toronto had one of the strongest rosters, so not grabbing the same calibre of camp invites is not a concern. Lauriane Rougeau, a former member of Team Canada headlines the camp invites, while Emma Keenan is also a steal on the backend. She'll compete for an opening night spot, and if not, be one of the best seventh defenders in the league, while blueliner Jessica Kondas will also look to make the team. Sisters Morgan and Taylor Wabbick will also be in Toronto's camp after playing in the SDHL last season. Veteran pro Jess Jones, who spent several seasons in the CWHL and NWHL rounds out the skaters. Goaltenders Erica Howe, Carly "CJ" Jackson, Amanda Makela will fight for the backup spot. Finally up front, Kaitlin Willoughby is a veteran presence who could bring a different look to Toronto's bottom line.