New York Sirens place Ella Shelton on LTIR

Ella Shelton has been placed on LTIR after sustaining a lower-body injury in the first game of the season, and the Sirens have signed Olivia Knowles.

New York Sirens place Ella Shelton on LTIR
Ella Shelton. (Photo credit: PWHL)

The New York Sirens placed Ella Shelton on long-term injured reserve today. Shelton sustained a lower-body injury during the Sirens’ first game of the season on December 1 against the Minnesota Frost. Per the CBA, an LTIR designation means that Shelton will miss a minimum of 21 days. The earliest game she would be eligible to return for is December 29 versus Ottawa. The Sirens have not specified an anticipated timeline for Shelton’s injury. 

Shelton will be a significant loss for the team. She led both the team and the entire league in scoring by a defender last season with 7 goals and 21 points in 24 games played. She also contributed to 39% of all of New York’s goals last year. Her injury also comes shortly after that of forward Jill Saulnier, who was also placed on long-term injured reserve.

In a corresponding move, the Sirens signed defender Olivia Knowles to a Standard Player Agreement. Knowles started the season as a reserve player for the Toronto Sceptres. Last year with Toronto, she notched 1 assist in 20 games.