PHF Playoff Preview: Isobel Cup Final
Previewing the 2023 Isobel Cup Final between the Premier Hockey Federation's Minnesota Whitecaps & Toronto Six.
There's been a flurry of activity in the National Women's Hockey League over the last few weeks, with the season schedule released & additional players signed.
There's certain been a flurry of activity in the National Women's Hockey League since my last notebook. The Boston Pride announced their entire roster of signed players (with many returnees, to no surprise) while the league at large announced its regular season schedule and other player signings were also added.
The NWHL will kick off its seventh season on Saturday, November 6 with all six teams in action. The Connecticut Whale will visit the Metropolitan Riveters; the Minnesota Whitecaps face the Boston Pride in an Isobel Cup rematch, and the Buffalo Beauts host the Toronto Six.
Nearly all NWHL games this upcoming season will be on Saturdays & Sundays, with times spread out from mid-afternoon to evening. Each team will play one set of games at home and away against each of the other five teams.
A few season highlights include:
You can access the full regular-season schedule here.
As of writing, the NWHL and its teams have announced 86 players signed for the 2021-22 season. Nearly a quarter of the players signed will be making their debuts.
Here are the team rosters as announced thus far. Players in bold were announced since my last notebook in late July.
Boston Pride: Jillian Dempsey, McKenna Brand, Christina Putigna, Abby Cook, Katie Burt, Kayla Friesen, Victoria Hanson, Meghara McManus, Taylor Wenczkowski, Tori Sullivan, Lovisa Selander, Kaleigh Fratkin, Mallory Souliotis, Katelynn Russ, Sammy Davis, Jenna Rheault, Paige Capistran, Lauren Kelly
Buffalo Beauts: Marie-Jo Pelletier, Cassidy Vinkle, Cassidy McPherson, Erin Gehen, Autumn MacDougall, Emma Keenan, Amy Budde, Lisa Chesson, Dominique Kremer, Taylor Accursi, Emilie Harley, Anjelica Diffendal, Brittany Colton, Samantha Fieseler, Kennedy Ganser, Taylor Wasylk, Missy Segall, Allison Attea, Grace Klienbach, Jenna Sukko, Lovisa Berndtsson, Carly Jackson, Caty Flagg
Connecticut Whale: Alyssa Wohlfeiler, Kennedy Marchment, Hanna Beattie, Allie Munroe, Emma Vlasic, Tori Howran, Taylor Girard, Emma Polaski, Cailey Hutchison, Janine Weber, Catherine Crowley, Kaycie Anderson, Abbie Ives, Mariah Fujimagari, Hannah Bates, Rebecca Morse
Metropolitan Riveters: Madison Packer, Emily Janiga, Leila Kilduff, Theresa Knutson, Mallory Rushton, Allie Olnowich, Kendall Cornine, Haley Frade, Brooke Avery, Rebecca Russo, Nora Maclaine, Haley Frade, Kristen Barbara, Brooke Wolejko, Sonjia Shelly, Rachael Ade, Lenka Čurmová
Toronto Six: Shiann Darkangelo, Emma Greco, Taylor Woods, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Saroya Tinker, Maegan Beres, Leah Marino, Emma Woods, Lindsay Eastwood, Amy Curlew, Samantha Ridgewell, Elaine Chuli, Tera Hofmann
Minnesota Whitecaps: None.
Here are a handful of the NWHL players from this past season that we know won't be back in the coming months:
We will continue to provide ongoing coverage of the NWHL offseason until season kickoff on November 6.