Goaltending has seen a shuffle across the PWHL with expansion and free agency. Some, like the situation in Toronto, came with some drama. Others, like that in Ottawa benefitted all parties as Emerance Mashmeyer signed with Vancouver leaving Gwyneth Philips the crease.

There's a wealth of goaltending talent in the PWHL, but the expansion draft, the return of Klara Peslarova and Emma Soderberg to Europe, and the lack of elite European goaltenders declaring for the draft punched holes in that. The 2026 Draft will be nearly bereft of goaltending talent unless players like Andrea Brandli and Stephanie Neatby who considered declaring this season decide to come to the league, or Peslarova decides to return following the Olympics year.

As it stands today, here's a look at each current goaltending group in the PWHL.

1. Ottawa Charge 

Goaltenders: 1. Gwyneth Philips, 2. Sanni Ahola

Gwyneth Philips finished the year as the best goaltender on the planet. Her postseason heroics made a Walter Cup a true possibility for the the Charge. When Sanni Ahola fell into their lap, it gave Ottawa one of the sharpest netminders, and best humans in the draft. This is Philips' team, but having Ahola who can step in and take games is a huge benefit.

2. PWHL Vancouver 

Goaltenders: 1. Emerance Maschmeyer, 2. Kristen Campbell

Considering both Maschmeyer and Campbell were their team's de facto starters when the 2024-25 season started, Vancouver should have confidence in both goalies to provide stability. Neither should need to be spectacular, just steady with the team that Vancouver has compiled in front of them, but aside from Minnesota, there isn't a team with two veterans who can trade places interchangeably like Vancouver has.

3. Minnesota Frost

Goaltenders: 1. Maddie Rooney, 2. Nicole Hensley

After signing a new three year contract, it's clear this is Rooney's team and Hensley has the pressure to win back time. Rooney took over as Minnesota's starter this season when Hensley faltered, but the duo traded places frequently under Ken Klee and it worked. You can't knock a duo that has been crucial in winning back-to-back championships. This season will provide a new challenge for Minnesota as the team in front of the tandem won't be as strong, and in particular, Minnesota will enter the season with one of the weaker defensive groups on paper.

4. Montreal Victoire

Goaltenders: 1. Ann-Renee Desbiens, 2. Sandra Abstreiter

You've got the reigning PWHL Goaltender of the Year in net in Ann-Renee Desbiens, and there's little doubt she can do it again with a strong Montreal team in front of her. If Sandra Abstreiter was proven, this tandem would easily leapfrog Minnesota up the ladder, but until she gets those games, it's a question mark. Many believe Abstreiter can do it, and she's shown her ability internationally for years. She's big, and her commitment to the PWHL is evident. It's time for Abstreiter to get her shot at becoming a full time backup in the PWHL. Expect Desbiens to take the lions share of the games, but in an Olympic year, both will be wanting to get ready for Milano Cortina.

5. PWHL Seattle

Goalenders: 1. Corinne Schroeder, 2. Hannah Murphy

Schroeder has remained one of the best and most consistent goalies in the PWHL through two seasons, even on the league's last place team. She won't have those problems in Seattle with a star studded top six and a defensive core known for their ability to take care of their own end. Behind Schroeder is Hannah Murphy, one of the top ranked goalies in the 2025 PWHL Draft, and perhaps the most pro ready. In spot duty she'll provide excellent support to the tandem.

6. Toronto Sceptres

Goaltenders: 1. Elaine Chuli, 2. Raygan Kirk

One of the more intriguing tandems in the league, both Chuli and Kirk entered last season as back ups, and this year will certainly approach the ice as a 1A, 1B tandem. It's not clear who the one and who the two will be in this as the year progresses, and in Toronto, that's healthy. Chuli has veteran experience at the pro level and was the best backup in the league through two seasons. Kirk showed very well for Toronto taking over for Kristen Campbell at times, and has the potential to be a starter in this league. Could there be an off day from this group? Sure. Will the tandem be more consistent than last year? Certainly. Riding the hot hand with a 1A, 1B system has proven effective in many leagues, including with Minnesota in the PWHL. Can Toronto replicate that success?

7. Boston Fleet

Goaltenders: 1. Aerin Frankel, 2. Amanda Thiele, 3. Abbey Levy 

Frankel is one of the best starters in this league, and one of the best goalies in the world, but the loss of Klara Peslarova behind her hurts. Boston struggled to get consistent goaltending out of Emma Soderberg, and by the time they turned to Peslarova, she'd sat for an entire season and still performed incredibly. But Peslarova's lack of playing time in the PWHL made her think twice about returning to the league and instead returned to Europe to prep for the Olympics. Abbey Levy started as New York's backup in year one but lost that role, and could regain footing. She's unproved in the league and looked shaky in the starts she's had. It leaves Amanda Thiele as the likely backup in Boston. She was Ohio State's starter this year and at 5-foot-10 has good size. The real test will be what she can do without one of the best programs in the nation ahead of her. Even at Ohio State, a team that went to the national championships losing in overtime, Thiele's regular season save percentage of .887 was 63rd in the nation among goalies who played 10 or more games. Expect Frankel to play almost every game this season.

New York Sirens

Goaltenders: 1. Kayle Osborne, 2. Callie Shanahan, 3. Kaley Doyle

New York has immense confidence in Kayle Osborne to be their starter this season, and with Shanahan and Doyle ready to fight it out behind her, there will be pressure from behind from the moment this team steps on the ice. Doyle was the top statistical goalie in the 2025 PWHL Draft, and Shanahan has size and the support of USA Hockey behind her. It's an interesting group that could present fans with a breakout performance from one of these three. New York will lean on Osborne, but can ride the hot hand. Placing the Sirens eighth at this position is primarily a matter of lack of experience at this level. Like many on the Sirens' roster this season, they'll be gaiing that experience on the fly as a group. The trio model New York has could be good for everyone.