Sophie Shirley, a national champion and Patty Kazmaier nominee with Wisconsin, U-18 World best forward, and CWHL Rookie of the Year has signed with PWHL Boston.
Sophie Shirley, a national champion and Patty Kazmaier nominee with Wisconsin, U-18 World best forward, and CWHL Rookie of the Year has signed with PWHL Boston.
Wisconsin University grad Sophie Shirley was the next name added to PWHL Boston's official roster after the forward signed a one-year contract with the club.
Prior to this season, Shirley had signed in Boston with the PHF's Boston Pride, and will now have the opportunity to stay in the city with the PWHL.
When she signed with the Pride, head coach and former NHLer Paul Mara who was recently hired by the NHL's New York Rangers to a player development role called Shirley "one of the most pure skaters we have seen in hockey over the many years. Her ability to create plays and score goals is incredible, and she makes others around her better.”
Last season Shirley had 37 points in 41 games on a loaded Wisconsin Badgers team that eventually won the NCAA national championship. She was also a member of Canada's Collegiate Series team in 2022. With Wisconsin, Shirley won two national championships and was twice named a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA's top player.
Shirley also twice represented Canada's U-18 national team, earning Best Forward honors at the 2017 U-18 World Championships. She followed that up by winning Rookie of the Year playing in the CWHL with the Calgary Inferno in 2018.