Sophie Shirley is one of the PWHL's top rookies, which isn't surprising PWHL Boston, and has already caught the attention of Team Canada.
Sophie Shirley is one of the PWHL's top rookies, which isn't surprising PWHL Boston, and has already caught the attention of Team Canada.
LOWELL, MA – Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Sophie Shirley was an eight sport star in high school, competing in soccer, volleyball, golf, tennis, softball, badminton, track and field, and of course, hockey.
Despite being involved with so many different sports, hockey always stood out to Shirley from an early age, as many young girls from Canada could agree.
Even before she went to college, Shirley was named the CWHL's Rookie of the Year in 2018 after playing with the Calgary Inferno as a teenager. Shirley then went on to play at the University of Wisconsin, where she was seemingly the heart and soul of the women’s hockey team, winning three NCAA championships, and was a two-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA's best player.
Now, a first-year player on PWHL Boston, Shirley is reaching heights she never could have imagined.
A few days before scoring her first career goal in the PWHL versus Montreal, Shirley was met with important news: she was named to Team Canada’s Rivalry Series roster, with one game to be held in her hometown of Saskatoon.
For Shirley, being able to compete in the Rivalry Series in her home city is everything she could have asked for.
“I think it’s huge for me,” said Shirley on being named to the Team Canada roster. “I got a little bit of a taste with it being in this state and playing on this team for sure, and some of the players I have been playing with are on the team. Being able to have this opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world is only going to develop my game a little bit more. I’m really excited for it.”
PWHL Boston head coach Courtney Kessel knows Shirley’s determination is unmatched, and she’s already been turning heads for Boston through seven games.
“She’s (Shirley) been tremendous,” said Kessel after Sunday’s game versus Montreal. “A young player, coming out of Wisconsin, it’s been really nice to see her commit to playing defense, trying to add different tools to her toolbox. We all know she’s a pretty strong offensive player, she’s a player we are relying on in certain situations, and to be honest, I didn’t think we would at this point in the year. I’m thrilled with her.”
With the Rivalry Series set to open, Shirley will be donning the Canadian senior national jersey for the first time when Canada closes out the 2023-2024 Rivalry Series against Team USA.