The league went from two reserves per team to three in the final days before rosters were finalized. Here's a look at the 18 players PWHL teams can draw on if needs arise.
The league went from two reserves per team to three in the final days before rosters were finalized. Here's a look at the 18 players PWHL teams can draw on if needs arise.
At the last minute, PWHL teams were allowed to take a third reserve player. Players and agents didn't know of the change until the final waiver window opened, but it worked out for many allowing six additional women to stick with the league.
When injuries occur, which is inevitable, reserves could factor into team success. Some teams have players who could not only step in, but provide top line impact. Here's a look at how the reserves played out for each PWHL team.
Boston
It certainly wasn't how Emma Buckles envisioned training camp ending after Boston drafted the defender and signed her to a one-year contract, but she was dropped to the reserve list in Boston. What Boston gets in Buckles is one of the top available defenders this season in case issues arise on their blueline. At 24, she's still young, and who knows what a fresh crack next season could yield. There was always going to be PHF veterans in Boston's reserve group, the question was, who? Sammy Davis who spent last year with the Boston Pride and Samantha Isbell who played for the Montreal Force will help push Boston's roster and provide a cushion in case injuries strike. Neither looked out of place in Utica, and both have the ability to step in and play.
Minnesota
Minnesota's reserve corps has a little of everything headlined by Abigail Boreen, who had she not been tied to Minnesota through a compassionate circumstances exemption, would almost certainly have been grabbed by another team. Her camp in Utica was impressive, and Minnesota won't hesitate to bring her in. She's a two-way player who showed she has potentially untapped offensive potential. Lauren Bench might have been Minnesota's third goalie if not for a disastrous first start in the preseason. She's a goalie who will likely look back to Europe next year, as she's the only netminder in the reserves with three ahead of her. Finally, Nikki Nightengale is Minnesota's reserve blueliner, but Minnesota also plans to draw from within if necessary on their blueline. Due to injuries and the inability to agree to terms with Sidney Morin, Minnesota didn't make a single cut. It wasn't ideal, but it gave the players who stuck it out in camp an opportunity as reserves.
Montreal
No team hopes for an injury...but if there's any way Montreal can bring in Mélodie Daoust, it would be a game changer for their lineup. Truthfully in the PWHL Preseason, Montreal looked like they were missing a piece up front. Marie-Philip Poulin and Tereza Vanisova were starting to develop chemistry by the third game, but there are few in the league and world who can adequately compliment Poulin. Melodie Daoust is one of those players, and any opportunity Montreal has to bring her in, would be a massive boost to their hopes. Without question, Catherine Dubois looked good enough in Utica to play in this league. If needed, Montreal won't hesitate to bring her in, and as the season wears on, Dubois' style may actually lend to playoff hockey. The final reserve in Montreal is Alexandra Poznikoff. She looked on the bubble in camp, but a full season of reps for Poznikoff could reignite the potential that's always been there with the former USports player of the year.
New York
There was a while when it looked like Alexa Gruschow might crack New York's lineup. She just didn't pop off in the preseason, and the forwards who grabbed the final spots, Madison Packer and Savannah Norcross, have diverse skill sets and intangibles that will benefit the roster. Gruschow however, is a good pro, who can step in at any time. Carley Olivier may not have been ready for full time PWHL reps, but she'll benefit from practicing with some of the best blueliners in the world in New York. If she turns her phone on this week, Olivier will certainly be fielding offers from Europe as multiple leagues overseas are desperate for defenders right now. She's the lone USports player in the PWHL right now, and it's hard to see this year as the end of her career trajectory. The biggest name among New York's reserves is former Canadian national team member Claire Thompson. When she's playing regularly, Thompson is a smooth skating, puck moving defender. She has a toolkit that could benefit any team in the league. To date however, Thompson has only stepped on the ice in New York for a scrimmage, and won't be practicing regularly with the team. There's some belief out there that the league shifted the reserve rules to accommodate players like Thompson, and keep them involved this season. While she could be a big boost for New York, the team seems like a tight knit group already who may bypass some skill for the burgeoning chemistry they've been building.
Ottawa
Ottawa was apparently in on McKenna Brand joining as a reserve, but that didn't end up happening. It would have been a big move for the Bostonian forward for $15,000 a year. Instead, Ottawa stuck true to their word of being confident in who they'd brought to camp and what they were building. Up front, were it not for the immense depth of Ottawa's free agent invites, either Rosalie Demers or Malia Schneider may have found themselves on a roster. Both are young forwards with offensive upside. Demers was a player many thought would find a home in the league, and if opportunity knocks, either player could step in and contribute. Taylor Davison was no slouch in Utica, and it had to have been a tight decision between Davison and Tori Horwan, who ultimately earned the roster spot. It will be interesting to see how the season plays out for Davison, who may have been a better option for a team like Minnesota who was looking for defensive depth.
Toronto
Aside from Claire Thompson, potentially the top defender on the reserve list is in Toronto in Emma Keenan. She may have been a blueliner who other teams considered bringing in during the waiver period, but there are personal reasons tying her to PWHL Toronto that likely resulted in the decision to stay. In reality, she had to be close to earning the final spot which Lauriane Rougeau claimed. Had it not been for Montreal's perplexing decision to let go Maude Poulin-Labelle, Keenan would be in the league right now. Jessica Kondas adds more depth to Toronto's blueline, but with her eperience playing in Sweden last year, she'll likely be fielding significant interest from Europe, and it will be a tough decision to stay as a reserve when she could be playing big minutes overseas and continuing her development. Finally, the biggest impact to Toronto's roster this season is the loss of Victoria Bach. Bach remains as a reserve, and Toronto will certainly work to find any excuse to get her into their lineup come February when she's done school. Bach is top six material, and her absence will be a major hit to Toronto's attack.