PWHL Free Agency Opens With Signing Flurry
A signing frenzy starts PWHL Free Agency.
The last week in PWHL signings was quite the frenzy of activity, between contract extensions, draftees signing, and two splashy free agent moves!
To quickly recap, from June 1 - 20 teams could re-sign players who were on their rosters last season. Starting on June 21, all unsigned players from last season became free agents and were free to sign with any team.
Toronto
By far, the biggest move was forward Daryl Watts not being re-signed by Ottawa and instead going to Toronto on a two-year deal. Watts led Ottawa in goals scored and was tied for third in the league in the same category. She's a big loss for the team, but it makes sense for Watts to go to Toronto. She's long been considered a bubble player for the Canadian National Team and the chance to play for the heads of the National Program regularly was probably too good to pass up. Plus, Watts hails from Toronto. “Having grown up here watching the Toronto Maple Leafs makes returning to Toronto to play professional hockey a dream come true,” Watts said in the press release.
Toronto also picked up another free agency signing in forward Emma Woods, also on a two-year deal. Woods played for New York last season and had five points (2 goals, 3 assists). “Emma brings a 200-foot game and is very versatile. She has a high compete level and her impact will be felt in our lineup," General Manager Gina Kingsbury said.
Toronto extended forward Hannah Miller for one year and defender Allie Munroe for two years. Miller tailed 14 points last season, fourth on the team. Her seven goals were good for third on the team. "She is a strong power forward that plays a 200-foot game,” Kingsbury said. She described Munroe as a "fierce competitor" with a "reliable physical game." Munroe had six points last season.
Roster
Ottawa
Ottawa obviously lost a big piece in Watts and has been fairly quiet so far. They kicked off restricted free agency with three re-signings thought.
Forward Natalie Snodgrass extended her contract for a year. She had six points in the season. "She's a great teammate and a real competitive player on the ice. She's fighting out there. We are really excited to have this type of player back in our lineup,” said PWHL Ottawa General Manager Mike Hirshfeld in the press release.
Defender Aneta Tejralová's extension came next. The Czech defender signed a two-year contract to stay in Canada's capital city. She had eight points on the season, second on her team by defenders.
Ottawa re-signed defender Zoe Boyd for one season as well. Boyd ended the season on the injured list after fracturing her wrist during a game against New York. "She had already made a lot of progress before she was injured last season. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she develops next season,” said Hirshfeld.
Roster
New York
New York locked in two goaltenders in restricted free agency.
Corinne Schroeder re-signed a two-year deal. She was a finalist for goaltender of the year and finished with a 0.930% save percentage.
New York native Abbey Levy signed for another year. She played eight games for the team, including a huge shootout win over Montréal.
Roster
Montréal
The headline move for PWHL Montréal was locking in Cayla Barnes, the fifth overall pick of the 2024 Draft, with a three-year deal. Montréal also extended Amanda Boulier with a two-year deal and re-signed Mariah Keopple for one year to keep the core of a strong blue line, led by PWHL Defender of the Year Erin Ambrose, together.
Roster
Minnesota
PWHL Minnesota signed 2024 Draft picks Klára Hymlárová and Britta Curl to two-year contracts, which adds some forward depth to the mix.
Minnesota, currently acting without a GM, also extended veteran forward Denisa Křížová with a two-year deal and signed playoff standouts Michela Cava and Liz Schepers to one-year deals. That's a lot of forwards under contract – nine to be exact – for Minnesota.
Boston
Boston extended defender Emily Brown and forwards Sophie Shirley and Hannah Brandt with two-year deals. General Manager Danielle Marmer also inked trade acquisition Lexie Adzija and blueliner Sidney Morin to one-year extensions.
Lydia Murray
Roster
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