Jillian Dempsey signs full SPA with Boston Fleet

On Feb. 12, 2025, the Boston Fleet signed veteran forward Jillian Dempsey to a 10-Day SPA (Standard Player Agreement). Today, Feb. 21, 2025, the Fleet signed her to a full SPA. That's right, the hometown hero and former captain of the Boston Pride is a full-time player for the Fleet.

In four games with Boston this season – she played in Montreal with La Victoire last year – Dempsey has registered two shots and delivered four hits. More importantly, she has been an effective penalty killer and forechecker as a depth center for the Fleet. It appears that Dempsey did everything she needed to do in those four games to convince general manager Danielle Marmer that she is a key ingredient to Boston's depth.

“Before this league even existed, Jill Dempsey was a cornerstone of the hockey community in Boston—both on and off the ice,” said Marmer in the Fleet's press release. “For this reason, it’s a pleasure to call her up to a full SPA with the Boston Fleet. We’ve seen firsthand the impact she’s had in practice and how she elevates our team when called upon, as she did during her 10-day stint. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and hockey IQ make us better, and we’re excited to have her in the lineup.”

In those four games, Dempsey has averaged about 8:18 TOI/GP, per Crease Giants' data, and has an eye-catching 9.1 Hits/60. She's under 50 percent in draws (she's 9/25) but anyone who watched Dempsey play in the NWHL and PHF should feel confident that will level out with a larger sample size. Most importantly, Boston has been playing better hockey since she stepped onto the ice. Dempsey has a strong reputation for having an off-the-charts hockey IQ and always executing on all of the little things that don't show up in box scores but result in winning hockey games. She pressures the puck, she reads the play on and off the puck, and she's relentless in battles even with players who have more than half a foot on her.

Dempsey rounds out a solid center core for Boston that currently consists of herself, Susanna Tapani, Shay Maloney, and Hannah Brandt. Lexi Adzija has also lined up at center, but has been spending some time on wing. Dempsey, who turned 34 in January, has played 216 games of professional regular season hockey in the CWHL, PHF, and PWHL. With today's news, we will see that number continue to climb with Dempsey in a jersey that suits her best – a Boston jersey.