When the PWHL was announced in 2023, each of the inaugural six franchises were permitted to sign three players prior to the draft. Each team took a different round, but the signings were foundational. For some teams, those signings have worked out better than others. In retrospect, teams may have approached their free agent openings differently. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Nearing the completion of the PWHL’s second season, we look back at those inaugural signings. In this instance, we decided to rank the players on their performance since puck drop. If they were entered into a draft today, here’s how the inaugural 18 may have played out.
Ranking The PWHL’s Inaugural 18 Players
- Marie-Philip Poulin (Monteal Victoire) – There’s no question Poulin remains the best player in the world. She’s been Montreal’s leader and MVP.
- Hilary Knight (Boston Fleet) – If it wasn’t for a slow first season, Knight might have topped this list. Her game looks to have shed years this season. She’s smoother, more confident, and using her bullish style to produce. Last year people questioned if Knight would be a member of USA’s 2026 Olympic team. Those questions are gone.
- Renata Fast (Toronto Sceptres) – Arguably the best defender in the world. She’s strong, mobile, mean, and can produce.
- Alex Carpenter (New York Sirens) – Offensively, there’s no argument Carpenter is among the best in the world. She’s been unable to lead New York over their hump, but without her, it’s hard to imagine the Sirens being a competitive team.
- Megan Keller (Boston Fleet) – Megan Keller is the best American defender in the PWHL. She utilizes her size and skating to generate chances, and shut down opponents. Boston never needs to second guess this signing.
- Sarah Nurse (Toronto Sceptres) – Many assumed Nurse would be fighting for top scorer in the league. While that hasn’t happened, she’s consistently produced as a member of Toronto’s most threatening line and power play unit .
- Aerin Frankel (Boston Fleet) – Frankel has turned out to be the best goaltender signed prior to the 2023 PWHL Draft, and she’s been the best goaltender night in and night out in the PWHL, period. Frankel wins games by herself. What else could you ask for from a goalie?
- Kendall Coyne Schofield (Minnesota Frost) – Having a bigger and better offensive year in season two. Still pushes the pace with speed and finds ways to score. After working to start the league, Coyne Schofield had a rocking first year off the ice, allegedly getting mixed up in off ice turmoil in Minnesota. This year, when it’s become just about playing hockey, not about controlling the direction of a team or league, Coyne Schofield is performing better and better.
- Laura Stacey (Montreal Victoire) – There just aren’t an abundance of big power forwards in the game like Laura Stacey. She makes Montreal harder to play against, and keeps opponents on their toes.
- Lee Stecklein (Minnesota Frost) – Big, steady, reliable. Stecklein has continued to eat minutes for Minnesota and is one of the league’s better, yet unheralded, defenders.
- Ann-Renee Desbiens (Montreal Victoire) – Montreal wanted Desbiens as their starter, and they got her. She was steady in year one, but didn’t re-emerge as a game changer until year two. Remains one of the best in the world.
- Emily Clark (Ottawa Charge) – There’s a lot to love about Emily Clark’s game. She plays with speed, and generates opportunities for herself and others. She’s also emerged as one of the league’s fan favourites. More scoring would help Ottawa, which we’re starting to see in the second have of year two.
- Emerance Maschmeyer (Ottawa Charge) – Didn’t shut the door in year one like Ottawa needed, although she remained reliable. In year two, Maschmeyer was a life saver for the Ottawa Charge.
- Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge) – After a strong inaugural season, Jenner has not looked the same for Ottawa this year. Her scoring has fallen, she’s deep in the minus, and hasn’t been noticeable for Ottawa on far too many nights. She needs to turn things around.
- Blayre Turnbull (Toronto Sceptres) – There are more ways to measure impact. Turnbull remains a physical, two-way player who is a strong leader and one of the league’s best checkers. Toronto’s captain remains valuable, even if it’s not always on the scoresheet.
- Kelly Pannek (Minnesota Frost) – It’s been a really difficult season for Pannek. She had a good year one, but year two has been forgettable offensively. Still valuable for her face-off prowess and two way game.
- Micah Zandee-Hart (New York Sirens) – Year one was a bust for the injured Zandee-Hart. She’s had a much better second season in the league and even earned a renewed look from Team Canada. She’s playing big minutes, and has proven reliable defensively for New York.
- Abby Roque (New York Sirens) – Abby Roque can contribute offensively, but there are a lot of issues in her game. New York got a very late start in free agency and team building prior to the inaugural season, and it hurt. Roque can be a great player in this league, but she needs to get out of her own way, and out of the way of her teammates.
Who should have been signed in this period?
Looking back, it’s pretty clear teams would change their picks if they could and sign a few different players. Here’s the players who could have, and should have been signed as inaugural players to the league. Three players jump off the page immediately.
- Erin Ambrose (Montreal Victoire)
- Natalie Spooner (Toronto Sceptres)
- Ella Shelton (New York Sirens)
