PWHL Roster Status Report: Boston

Things have been quiet on the PWHL front lately, but a lot has already happened this offseason between the draft and ongoing free agency. Spots will likely remain open on all teams through training camp, but the bulk of next season’s rosters is coming into focus, which means it's time to look at where each team stands, starting with PWHL Boston. First, we’ll look at where everyone from last year’s roster is before moving on to the new faces and remaining roster spots.

All signing information is according to TIG’s roster tracker. Camp invite details are from a master spreadsheet by The Score’s Kyle Cushman unless otherwise noted.

Last Year’s Roster

Still Had Term

• Forwards
  • Hilary Knight
  • Alina Müller
  • Jamie Lee Rattray
  • Loren Gabel
  • Susanna Tapani
  • Theresa Schafzahl
  • Taylor Girard
• Defenders
  • Megan Keller
  • Jessica DiGirolamo
• Goaltenders
  • Aerin Frankel
  • Emma Söderberg

Heading into the offseason, Boston had seven forwards, two defenders, and two goaltenders guaranteed to return. Though this is a solid foundation, Boston desperately needed more offense after finishing last in the league, so transitional defenders and speedy, dynamic forwards were high on GM Danielle Marmer’s priority list for the draft and free agency.

Re-Signings

Forwards

• Lexie Adzija
• Hannah Brandt
• Sophie Shirley

Defenders

• Emily Brown
• Sidney Morin

Marmer didn’t extend any players until after the draft, but she locked some players down just before the main free agency window opened. Brandt, Shirley, Brown, and Morin were among Boston’s most versatile players last season, so it was not surprising to see them prioritized by Marmer. Brandt, Shirley, and Brown each inked new two-year deals, while Morin earned another one-year contract. They were all signed during Boston’s exclusive free agent negotiating period, which means all their contracts are guaranteed. Meanwhile, Adzija was signed to a new one-year deal right after the main free agency window opened, so her contract is not guaranteed. However, her infectious energy on and off the ice and tenacious playing style were big boosts to Boston after she was acquired from Ottawa at the trade deadline, so barring any major changes, it would be a big surprise to see her cut.

Free Agents

Forwards

• Kelly Babstock
• Nicole Kosta
• Gigi Marvin
• Amanda Pelkey

Defenders

• Abby Cook
• Kaleigh Fratkin

Goaltenders

• Cami Kronish

Finally, seven players from Boston’s roster last year remain free agents. The other two would-be free agents–Jess Healey and Taylor Wenczkowski–have retired from professional hockey. Per a July 12 thread on X (formerly known as Twitter) by The Boston Globe’s Matt Porter, sources told him Babstock, Marvin, Pelkey, and Kronish are all possibilities to attend Boston’s camp. However, at this time, Kronish is the only former player confirmed to attend. 

Protected List

• Caitrin Lonergan (F)
• Tatum Skaggs (F)

Finally, Boston has two players on their protected list through this season. Lonergan was mentioned in Porter’s thread as a potential camp attendee per his source. Given she signed a reserve contract with Boston after her rights were acquired from Ottawa last season, it’s likely a safe bet that she will be there. On the other hand, don’t expect to see Skaggs, who was drafted by Boston last season but did not attend camp, nor has she done anything with the team.

Draftees/New Faces

2024 Boston Draft Class:

• Round 1, Pick 4: Hannah Bilka (F)
• Round 2, Pick 7: Daniela Pejšová (D)
• Round 4, Pick 22: Sydney Bard (D)
• Round 6, Pick 34: Shay Maloney (F)
• Round 7, Pick 37: Ilona Markova (F)
• Round 7, Pick 40: Hadley Hartmetz (D)

Boston only made six picks in this year’s draft compared to the standard seven after they traded picks 10, 16, and 28 to New York for picks seven and 37. Check out my draft recap here for a more in-depth look at the draftees. So far, three have been signed to contracts. Hannah Bilka and Daniela Pejšová each inked three-year deals, while Sydney Bard signed a two-year contract. Per a June 24 story by Matt Porter of the Boston Globe, all of Boston’s draftees are expected to be at camp. However, Hartmetz will not be ready to play until January after tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus back in the NCAA championship game.

Outside of the draft, only one new face has officially joined the mix for Boston. Former PWHL Minnesota defender Emma Greco signed a one-year deal on July 9. Greco is a true stay-at-home defender who had zero points through 32 combined regular season and playoff games last year. While it would be helpful for Boston if she found a way to chip in occasionally on offense, Greco’s primary role will be bringing that same defensive game she showed in Minnesota to balance out their defense corps, which saw the addition of two strong transitional defenders in Bard and Pejšová in the draft.

Finally, Matt Porter also shared in his July 12 thread that Boston hockey legend Jillian Dempsey and Czech national team goaltender Klára Peslarová will attend Boston’s camp.

Remaining Roster Spots

Competition for roster spots will be stiff in the Boston camp. They already have 20 players rostered for next season, meaning just three full spots and three reserve spots are up for grabs. That ties them with Ottawa and Toronto for the most complete rosters in the league. Out of those 20 players, 11 are forwards, seven are defenders, and two are goaltenders. So, assuming a standard roster construction, expect the three remaining spots to go to two forwards and a goaltender. 

Given the lack of wiggle room, it would be a surprise to see many–if any–more outside faces come to camp beyond Dempsey and Peslarová. There are other teams with more open spots (namely Minnesota and New York), so if you’re aiming for a full roster spot, trying to score an invite to one of their camps is a better option. So, expect Boston’s camp invites to mostly be the unsigned draftees and at least some of the rumored players from last year’s roster.