PHF Notebook: Nearly There

Teams in the Premier Hockey Federation are nearing the start of Season 8, set to begin on Saturday, November 5. Over the past month, teams have made several signing announcements (and, for some reason, not yet announced others), participated in exhibition contests, and generally prepped for the upcoming year.

For the last time before my capsule season previews for each team, here's what you may have missed in PHF news:

Roster Additions

The Boston Pride have officially announced signings including Loren Gabel and Olivia Zafuto. Quinnipiac alum Taylor House was also recently announced.

Long-time captain and original NWHLer Shannon Turner (formerly Doyle) has returned for another season with the Connecticut Whale. Turner is a significant boost for an already strong Whale team, and her leadership presence alone is enough to make her a valuable asset.

The Whitecaps have re-signed Jenna Brenneman to backup Amanda Leveille, while Amanda Boulier returns after a year in Boston. Elsewhere, the Force recently announced the signings of forwards Deziray De Sousa, Maude Gélinas, and Laura Jardi, as well as defenders Gabrielle De Serres and Sally Hoerr.

The Riveters added a big piece in Hungarian national team forward Fanni Garát-Gasparics. The 27-year-old spent last season with MAC Budapest, where she recorded 49 points in just 18 games.

Finally, a small tidbit: Kiira Dosdall-Arena will be serving as a practice player for the Whale this season.

Preseason Results

I'll be honest: in some cases, finding preseason results for the PHF is akin to pulling teeth! Some teams release little to no information about these games, and most have not been streamed. In addition, participation in exhibition games is voluntary for players signed to contracts for the season, so some players may not participate, while others who are playing may only be on a tryout basis.

At any rate, here are the results so far:

• Sept. 25: Northeastern 3, Boston Pride 2
• Sept. 30: Minnesota Golden Gophers 4, Minnesota Whitecaps 2
• Oct.5: Boston Pride 8, Harvard 2 (per Stanley Cup of Chowder)
• Oct. 8: Metropolitan Riveters 3, Boston Pride 2
• Oct. 14: Metropolitan Riveters 5, Buffalo Beauts 1
• Oct. 15: Metropolitan Riveters 2, Buffalo Beauts 0
• Oct. 15: Boston Pride 4, Northern Cyclones 3 (per SCoC)
• Oct. 22: Connecticut Whale 7, Buffalo Beauts 1
• Oct. 23: Boston Pride 3, Montreal Force 1
• Oct. 29: Connecticut Whale 4, Metropolitan Riveters 1

Captaincy

Most teams have announced their leadership groups for the upcoming season. Here are the details. Boston, Connecticut, and Toronto haven't announced yet.

Buffalo Beauts: Dominique Kremer (C), Claudia Kepler (A), Cassidy MacPherson (A)

Metropolitan Riveters: Madison Packer (C), Minttu Tuominen (A), Amanda Pelkey (A), Kaycie Anderson (A)

Minnesota Whitecaps: Sydney Brodt (C), Sydney Baldwin (A), Sidney Morin (A), Jonna Albers (A)

Montreal Force: Anne-Sophie Bettez (C), Sarah Lefort (A), Catherine Daoust (A)

In Other News...

• Taylor Accursi remains unsigned for the upcoming season. I reported earlier this summer that she was told by the Beauts that she wouldn't be offered a contract, but it's surprising that no other team has snatched her up just yet. (Toronto would appear to be a potential match, given her work as a police officer in the city.)
• The Connecticut Whale came under social media fire for posting an athletic trainer job that didn't appear to require any athletic training certifications – and for explicitly saying that the position required "demonstrated expertise in minimizing workers compensation claims." The team has now announced its new head athletic trainer, Hailey Rock, and (thankfully) noted that she is a board-certified AT and National Athletic Trainer Association member.
• Saturday's scheduled exhibition game between Toronto and Montreal was cancelled last-minute. The Six put out the following statement:

There has been no further statement or explanation, but Alex Azzi from NBC's On Her Turf did speak to Six President Sami-Jo Small, who clarified that it was not a player or staff death.

Regardless, our thoughts are with the Six organization in their time of loss.

(Photo: Connecticut Whale/PHF)