PWHL training camps for the league’s inaugural season are scheduled to open this week. And although there are still many questions – for example: Where do the teams play? – We are at least getting closer to the teams’ final rosters taking shape.
The camps will be held in the league’s original six markets – Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Minnesota, New York and Boston – over the next four weeks until the Dec. 11 roster deadline, when each team must be reduced to 23 players. Each team can also sign two reserve players to increase their player pool to 25.
At the start of camp, teams were allowed to bring a minimum of 28 and a maximum of 35 players. As of Thursday morning, teams have announced 82 player signings, but there are still plenty of meaningful roster battles between the league’s six teams.
Using the PWHL’s signing tracker and training camp rosters, we decided to recreate each camp roster to illustrate who has signed, who hasn’t, and where the most interesting competition will be for each team. The graphics assume that teams choose to sign 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalkeepers, but leave open the option for 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalkeepers. Of course, some teams may choose to sign three goalies, but that all depends on how the players perform in camp.
Minnesota
Signed players: 7
Available places: 16
Squad battles ahead: Minnesota has the fewest players committed to training camp, meaning there will be strong competition for roster spots. As of Wednesday morning, there are 16 spots available and 22 players are not yet committed. There are plenty of spots (eight or nine depending on how GM Natalie Darwitz fills out the roster) in the forward group and every blue line spot is open except for No. 1 D, which is Lee Stecklein. One of the interesting fights will be for the support of Nicole Hensley. Minnesota drafted Amanda Leveille, but Maddie Rooney poses a threat. Rooney led Team USA to a gold medal in the 2018 Olympic shootout and has been left off the last few national teams, but is still only 26 years old. I’m assuming one goalkeeper gets a standard player contract and one is on the reserve list.
Boston
Signed players: 19
Available places: 4
Squad battles ahead: Boston’s GM Danielle Marmer went to work during free agency, signing all of their draft picks and even a free agent (Kaleigh Fratkin). That means there aren’t many jobs available in camp, especially in the backcourt, where seven defensemen and two goalies are under contract. Cami Kronish or Lindsay Browning could realistically play their way onto the reserve list as No. 3 goalie options, and perhaps Lauren MacInnis has such a good camp that Marmer and coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel opt for 13 forwards and eight defensemen. But overall it looks like the biggest squad battle will be between six players for four remaining spots in the forward group.
new York
Signed players: 15
Available places: 8
Squad battles ahead: New York has some significant spots open at all three positions, and several strong players are fighting for those spots. As forwards, keep an eye on Kelly Babstock and Madison Packer, two former Metropolitan Riveters players. and Jill Saulnier, a two-time Team Canada Olympian who adds depth to the roster and is popular in the room. On defense, expect Jaime Bourbonnais, a current Team Canada defenseman, to earn a spot and Olympic record holder Claire Thompson to be a reserve player. That leaves two or three spots in defense for six players. New York still needs a second goalkeeper. Corinne Schroeder should keep track – she excelled in the PHF last season and was recently named to the Canadian Rivalry Series roster for November’s games against Team USA.
Ottawa
Signed players: 17
Available places: 6
Squad battles ahead: Ottawa cast a wide net with its camp invites and will have a total of 14 players unsigned and six open spots. The biggest battle in training camp in Ottawa will be at forward, with eight* players fighting for four or five open spots. Top players include former NWHL MVP Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Fanni Garát-Gasparics and Japanese national team forward Akane Shiga.
*Note: According to the Journal Express, Audrey-Anne Veillette underwent knee surgery in October. Otherwise, nine forwards would be fighting for a roster spot in camp.
Montreal
Signed players: 10
Available places: 13
Squad battles ahead: Montreal should have an interesting camp with meaningful competition for all three positions. Erin Ambrose is the only defenseman signed as of Thursday morning, leaving six (or seven) spots left for seven unsigned defensemen expected to be in camp. At forward, most of the core is under contract, with top players from college (Maureen Murphy and Gabrielle David) and PHF (Leah Lum) still looking for spots. Montreal needs a second goalkeeper to play behind Ann-Renée Desbiens and has four options to choose from, although Elaine Chuli could be the betting favorite given her excellent year for the 2022-23 Toronto Six.
Note: Mélodie Daoust is expected to become a reserve player rather than a full-time player as she focuses on her job at Collège Bourget. According to The Hockey News, Lina Ljungblom will not play in Montreal this season as she is under contract with MoDo of the SDHL.
Toronto
Signed players: 15
Available places: 8
Roster battles in advance: The top of Toronto’s lineup appears set with eight forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders signed. This leaves meaningful roles available in depth, particularly in striker and defense. I expect Victoria Bach to land a spot in Toronto’s middle six, and I’m excited to see how Alexa Vasko – who stood out at last year’s PWHPA showcases – performs in camp. GM Gina Kingsbury also mentioned that a traditional method of roster construction could include 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalkeepers, although that will depend on the players’ performance over the next few weeks. So look for Toronto to have maybe three goaltenders.
(Photo of Toronto players Blayre Turnbull, Renata Fast, Jesse Compher and Sarah Nurse with GM Gina Kingsbury: Steve Russell / Toronto Star via Getty Images)