Founding team member Paetyn Levis hopes to build on her longevity and productivity; 2025 draft pick and USA Field Hockey standout Makenna Webster ready to begin lasting memories on the ice; and a former New York Rangers' coach is returning to the bright lights of the big city.
For New York Sirens' forward Paetyn Levis, the trajectory has been rising steadily as she looks ahead to her fourth season and beyond in the PWHL. She has come a long way since that first-ever team practice at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, Connecticut back in November of 2023.
Fast forward and the now veteran of 83 games, and one of the original members of the then PWHL New York squad, has seen upticks in both her offensive numbers and her contributions in all three zones. She also recently signed a one-year extension that will keep her with the Sirens through 2027-28.
After an admittedly frustrating showing in the league's inaugural 2023-24 season, Levis -- who will be 27 when she begins her 2026-27 season with the Sirens -- is now a top-six mainstay who will be counted on to play an important role in New York's all-around attack.
Despite nearly lighting the lamp several times in year one (she had three assists), Levis' determination to improve paid off with four goals and four helpers the following season. Then, last winter, she advanced her 200-foot game even further with not only five goals and five assists but also double digits in both blocks (11) and hits (15).
Projected by The Hockey News Women's to start the 2026-27 season on the second line, Levis is no stranger to being called upon to fill a need on the Sirens' top line whenever necessary.
The all-time leading scorer at Rogers High School in Rogers, Minnesota, and a major factor behind the Ohio State Buckeyes winning the NCAA title in 2022, Levis was recently rewarded for her increasingly solid performance as a pro with a contract extension through the 2027-28 season.
Levis has missed just one game in three seasons in New York and is one of only three players who has been with the Sirens since day one, alongside defenders Micah Zandee-Hart and Jaime Bourbonnais.
Wrapping up that historic first practice as a founding PWHL team member on an early November morning in 2023, Levis even then showed her willpower and warrior mentality to give 100 percent on every shift.
"It is important to always bring out the passion you have for the game," Levis said in a one-on-one interview after that training session. "Go out there and show the backbone you have and always continue along the right path."
That path has brought her an abundance of success as a reliable presence and a skater who has earned the added longevity she will have with the Sirens. Levis has recorded 21 overall points (9G, 12A) in her three seasons thus far, and established career-highs last season with 10 points in 30 games.
The Sirens as of the Labor Day holiday have 18 players under contract for the upcoming season, with Levis a part of the forward group that consists of Anna Bargman, Clair DeGeorge, Emmy Fecteau, Sarah Fillier, Elle Hartje, Kristýna Kaltounková, Denisa Křížová and Makenna Webster.
The Sirens roster also features defenders Lauren Bernard, Maja Nylén Persson, Dayle Ross, Nicole Vallario, Bourbonnais and Zandee-Hart, plus goaltenders Elaine Chuli, Kaley Doyle and Callie Shanahan. Additionally, forward Casey O'Brien is a Restricted Free Agent who was protected by the team during the PWHL's Expansion Player Distribution Process.
Webster signing equates to a bonus draft pick
After another highly positive 2026 draft for the New York Sirens, there has certainly been plenty of positivity surrounding the incoming talent.
Lurking in the shadows of that June 24 selection process was the generally forgotten -- or at least buried deep in the memories of the New York faithful-- fact that a third-round pick from the previous summer was still on the Sirens' radar.
This past July, that radar locked in and a major signing was announced as Makenna Webster -- the 17th pick in the 2025 draft -- was signed to a three-year contract. The member of the U.S. Women's National Team - USA Field Hockey, who won gold with her squad in an international tournament in New Zealand, was done with that sport and embarking on her professional women's ice hockey career.
Webster's signing with New York through the 2028-29 season sent positive shockwaves across The Big Apple and was almost like a bonus draft pick of sorts since she will be in her rookie season as a previous selection.
Webster joins the Sirens following a distinguished collegiate career as a two-sport athlete in both ice hockey and field hockey.
"I’m incredibly grateful to have been drafted by New York (last year) and to (now) officially begin this next chapter with the Sirens' organization," said Webster, who amassed 166 points over her collegiate career. "After spending the past season focused on field hockey and representing Team USA, I’m excited to get back on the ice and I can’t wait to get started with such an amazing team."
On the ice, Webster played in 151 NCAA games across two seasons at the University of Wisconsin (2020-21 and 2021--22) and three seasons at The Ohio State University (2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25). The St. Louis, Missouri native helped the Badgers win the 2021 NCAA National Championship, and she was named the Women's Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. She won her second National Championship with the Buckeyes in 2024 and was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.
New York General Manager Pascal Daoust sees tremendous positives in Webster both as a player and a person.
"(Makenna's) character, work ethic and mindset fit the culture we are building in New York," he said. "Her three-year commitment is a strong statement of her belief in our vision and her desire to be part of what we are building."
Webster is the first member of the Sirens under contract through the 2028-29 season.
Former Rangers' assistant coming back to NY metro
For the past two decades, Jim Midgley's coaching and scouting expertise has spanned across North America.
Most recently serving as an assistant coach with the Toronto Sceptres the past two seasons, the Townsend, Ontario native knows the New York area well having spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers.
Midgley was recently added as an assistant to a Sirens' coaching staff led by Head Coach Greg Fargo and returning members Valérie Bois (Assistant Coach) and Gordon Woodhall (Goaltending and Video Coach).
“I’m incredibly excited and honored to join the New York Sirens' organization,” Midgley said. “From my conversations with leadership, it’s clear there’s a shared vision and commitment to building a winning culture, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that journey."
The 48-year-old has international experience in women’s hockey from his time as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, helping capture gold during a season in which he was also an amateur scout with the Philadelphia Flyers.
“We’re excited to welcome Jim to our family,” Daoust said. “His impressive coaching journey across the PWHL, Team Canada, the CHL, and the NHL with the New York Rangers reflects not only an exceptional level of experience, but also a deep commitment to developing people and contributing to an elite environment."
