Hannah Bilka knows the city of Boston well, and she's excited to return to the city and to play with the stars on PWHL Boston. The puck hasn't dropped on the 2024-2025 season, but there's certainly excitement surrounding year two. Last year, the league saw many first year pros, players like Emma Maltais, Alina Muller, Taylor Heise, and the eventual PWHL Rookie of the Year Grace Zumwinkle make considerable impacts. This year, a new wave of elite stars will enter the league looking to make their mark. Here's a look at the early leading contenders for the 2024-2025 PWHL Rookie of the Year honor, along with honorable mention to a few dark horse candidates. 1. DANIELLE SERDACHNY - OTTAWA CHARGE The second overall pick might be the player in the best position to put up big numbers, play important minutes, and grab the attention of a rabid fan base. Serdachny has always produced at a high rate, and she's solidified herself as a present and future key component to Canada's national team. She can score in a variety of ways, but has a knack for the net in close. She's an early favorite. 2. SARAH FILLIER - NEW YORK SIRENS The New York Sirens will have oodles of offensive creativity compared to last season. That includes up front and on the back end. Under new head coach Greg Fargo, the team will also be getting a well needed jolt to fix the division they had in their locker room last year between players, and more specifically, between players and former head coach Howie Draper. Fillier was the consensus number one pick and has elite scoring ability. She's also a responsible two-way player. Her game has been pro ready for a few years, so as long as she can find chemistry in New York, we could see Fillier add another honor to her already impressive resume. 3. HANNAH BILKA - BOSTON FLEET Bilka is exactly what Boston needed. A fleet footed forward to add energy to what was overall, one of the slower groups in the league. Whether she's alongside Alina Muller, or jump starting Hilary Knight who can score with the right linemate, Bilka is going to be the spark Boston needed. It could translate into point production for her, and get her in the running for the PWHL's Rookie of the Year award. Boston scored the least goals of any team last season, and struggled on their powerplay. The situation is set for Bilka to make a significant impact. 4. CAYLA BARNES - MONTREAL VICTOIRE It's always difficult for a defender to win this award, but if anyone can do it, it's Cayla Barnes. Barnes is capable of jumping into the play and generating chances, but she's also a consistent shutdown defender who battles hard along the walls. She's not afraid to play physical, which will be the true test for her season as Barnes is on the small side, and the PWHL has proven itself as a physically demanding league. Montreal has immense depth on their blueline this season, but there was no greater addition than Barnes. 5. JULIA GOSLING - TORONTO SCEPTRES Gosling is an impact player, but might not put up the numbers needed to garner Rookie of the Year attention on such a deep Toronto team. General manager Gina Kingsbury has done a masterful job compiling talent in a short period of time. Gosling is big, powerful, and loves to drive play. She'll be a fan favorite on and off the ice. 6. GWYNETH PHILIPS - OTTAWA CHARGE Yes, Gwyneth Philips will start this season as a backup in Ottawa, but along with Raygan Kirk and Kayle Osborne, the rookie netminder could be called upon in the case of an injury to step into full time action. Philips is the goalie we chose for this list however, because while Osborne and Kirk will be strong supports, Philips may end up pushing for the starting role through her play. If she can, it would be hard not to consider her for this award. SLEEPER PICKS It looks almost certain that the players above will lead the charge for rookie of the year honors. Across the league, there are a number of players who could step into important roles on teams. Izzy Daniel, the reigning Patty Kazmaier winner is one in Toronto. Like Gosling, it's hard to know the role she'll take on a deep Sceptres roster, but if she clicks with the right line combination, anything is possible. It's unclear if the league will categorize Ilona Markova in Boston as a rookie, but she is the ultimate sleeper pick as a relatively unknown quantity with known upside. Jennifer Gardiner in Montreal and Britta Curl in Minnesota are the other candidates who could impress with their on ice play.
