Latest news with #DanielleSerdachny
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
New York Sirens select Kristýna Kaltounková with No. 1 pick in 2025 PWHL Draft
OTTAWA – The New York Sirens selected Czech forward Kristýna Kaltounková with the No. 1 pick in the PWHL Draft on Tuesday night. Kaltounková, 23, is a physically dominant forward with the hardest shot in the draft class. At Colgate this season, she finished top-10 in goals in the nation and set a program record in goals (111) and game-winning goals (19). She finished her career just six points shy of the Colgate record in points, which is held by Danielle Serdachny, who was drafted second overall last season. Advertisement Kaltounková is a pro-ready forward who already has experience at the senior international level; she was tied for the scoring lead for Czechia in her women's world championship debut in April. She has a solid frame (5-foot-9) and strong skating with a physical style of play that will benefit her in the PWHL. Kaltounková has a heavy and accurate shot that makes her a consistent threat in the offensive zone and off the rush. She wins puck battles along the wall, plays through contact, and does well to get to the netfront, where she has good hands and uses her size to take away goalies' sightlines. In New York, Kaltounková could center her own line, giving the Sirens a 1-2 punch up the middle behind Canadian star Sarah Fillier. Or have one of the two move to the wing to load up the top line. Last season, Fillier was excellent on the wing beside Alex Carpenter. But after Carpenter was left unprotected in expansion and signed in Seattle, there's a major hole at the top of New York's lineup. Kaltounková could fill that position either at center or on the wing with her shot and nose for the net. Defender Haley Winn and forward Casey O'Brien were other potential No. 1 picks, but with seven defenders currently on the roster it makes sense New York opted for a forward. O'Brien was the No. 1 prospect in The Athletic's pre-draft ranking, but Kaltounková has history playing for New York coach Greg Fargo at Colgate, which made her an easy selection. Kaltounková is New York's second-straight first-overall selection after drafting Fillier first in 2024. The Sirens have finished last in the PWHL standings in back-to-back seasons and won the Gold Plan — the league's innovative approach to determining its draft order — and the No. 1 pick in both years. The hope for the Sirens is that with Fillier and Kaltounková at the top of the lineup, the team can climb out of the basement of the standings for the first time in 2025-26. But, a Fillier contract extension looms large — she only signed a one-year contract and is a restricted free agent — and is the single-biggest item on Daoust's to-do list this offseason. This story will be updated.
National Post
09-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Danielle Serdachny seeks better fit away from Ottawa: ‘We'll be really upset that we lost her'
From the moment the PWHL announced its expansion rules during its championship series last month, one Ottawa player was destined to walk out the door. Article content Danielle Serdachny, fresh off signing a two-year deal with PWHL Seattle, didn't mince words in her first media appearance with her new team. Her rookie season in Ottawa fell short of expectations. Article content Article content 'It was more on the disappointing end,' the 24-year-old forward said. 'I didn't have as much as an impact as I hoped I would.' Article content Drafted second overall last summer after a dominant five-year career at Colgate University, Serdachny arrived in the nation's capital with big expectations. The Charge needed scoring and the Canadian national team forward looked poised to provide it with her elite speed and vision. Article content But even with big-game experience playing with the Canadian national team at world championship, Serdachny struggled in her adjustment to the PWHL. Skating in all 30 regular-season games, she compiled only two goals and eight points, tied with fellow rookie Mannon McMahon for ninth on the Charge. Article content Originally playing in a top-six role with power-play time, Serdachny slowly tumbled down the lineup until she found herself buried on the fourth line for nearly all of Ottawa's eight-game playoff run. Article content Meanwhile, Sarah Fillier — the only player drafted ahead of her last year — shared the league scoring title and earned a forward of the year nomination. In contrast, Serdachny looked out of place in Ottawa's defence-first, grinding style of play. She showed glimpses of the blazing speed and puck control that they drafted her for, but more common were the turnovers and lack of finish. Article content Article content The arrival of Seattle and Vancouver to the league couldn't have come at a better time. For Serdachny, a change of scenery and a healthy dose of opportunity is absolutely part of the equation to unlocking what many feel is superstar potential. Article content Article content 'This fresh start will be really, really good for me and a new opportunity to play under a new staff and with new teammates,' Serdachny said. 'Just hoping I can continue contribute in any way.' Article content Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld has no doubts that she'll find her way — and make the Charge regret losing her even more than they already do now. Article content 'We were really optimistic about her future,' he said. 'We think she's got the potential to be one of the best players in this league, so it's disappointing when you lose that talent from your roster.' Article content With the ability to protect just three players from the expansion roster-building process, Hirshfeld and the Charge just couldn't take a chance protecting Serdachny over established difference-makers in Gwyneth Philips, Emily Clark and Ronja Savolainen.
Ottawa Citizen
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Danielle Serdachny seeks better fit away from Ottawa: ‘We'll be really upset that we lost her'
Article content From the moment the PWHL announced its expansion rules during its championship series last month, one Ottawa player was destined to walk out the door. Article content Danielle Serdachny, fresh off signing a two-year deal with PWHL Seattle, didn't mince words in her first media appearance with her new team. Her rookie season in Ottawa fell short of expectations. Article content 'It was more on the disappointing end,' the 24-year-old forward said. 'I didn't have as much as an impact as I hoped I would.' Article content Article content Drafted second overall last summer after a dominant five-year career at Colgate University, Serdachny arrived in the nation's capital with big expectations. The Charge needed scoring and the Canadian national team forward looked poised to provide it with her elite speed and vision. Article content Article content But even with big-game experience playing with the Canadian national team at world championship, Serdachny struggled in her adjustment to the PWHL. Skating in all 30 regular-season games, she compiled only two goals and eight points, tied with fellow rookie Mannon McMahon for ninth on the Charge. Article content Originally playing in a top-six role with power-play time, Serdachny slowly tumbled down the lineup until she found herself buried on the fourth line for nearly all of Ottawa's eight-game playoff run. Article content Meanwhile, Sarah Fillier — the only player drafted ahead of her last year — shared the league scoring title and earned a forward of the year nomination. In contrast, Serdachny looked out of place in Ottawa's defence-first, grinding style of play. She showed glimpses of the blazing speed and puck control that they drafted her for, but more common were the turnovers and lack of finish. Article content Article content The arrival of Seattle and Vancouver to the league couldn't have come at a better time. For Serdachny, a change of scenery and a healthy dose of opportunity is absolutely part of the equation to unlocking what many feel is superstar potential. Article content 'This fresh start will be really, really good for me and a new opportunity to play under a new staff and with new teammates,' Serdachny said. 'Just hoping I can continue contribute in any way.' Article content Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld has no doubts that she'll find her way — and make the Charge regret losing her even more than they already do now. Article content 'We were really optimistic about her future,' he said. 'We think she's got the potential to be one of the best players in this league, so it's disappointing when you lose that talent from your roster.' Article content With the ability to protect just three players from the expansion roster-building process, Hirshfeld and the Charge just couldn't take a chance protecting Serdachny over established difference-makers in Gwyneth Philips, Emily Clark and Ronja Savolainen.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Ottawa Charge set to lose 2 more players in PWHL expansion draft
PWHL fans are getting ready to say goodbye to some of their favourite players as the league adds squads in Seattle and Vancouver. Two more players from the Ottawa Charge will be changing jerseys tonight in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion draft. The league has expanded to add teams in Vancouver and Seattle for the 2025-26 season, and four players from each of the original six teams will be split among the two new clubs ahead of the 2025 draft. Each of the original six teams is able to protect four players from being chosen during the expansion process. Ottawa has already seen two players selected by Vancouver and Seattle as part of the process. Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer was chosen by Vancouver and defender Danielle Serdachny was selected by Seattle during the exclusive signing window last week that allowed the expansion teams to select up to five players each. This means two more players from Ottawa are set to be chosen in Monday's expansion draft. According to the PWHL, the following players are available: Ashton Bell (D), Brianne Jenner (F), Jocelyne Larocque (D), Stephanie Markowski (D), Mannon McMahon (F), Anna Meixner (F), Kateřina Mrázová (F), Aneta Tejralová (D), Madeline Wethington (D) Jenner, notably, is the current captain of the Ottawa Charge. Forwards Emily Clark and Gabbie Hughes, goalie Gwyneth Philips, and defender Ronja Savolainen have been protected from the draft. TSN's Kenzie Lalonde tells CTV Morning Live the expansion teams will be looking to round out their rosters with critical pieces. 'It'll be a tough sight for fans as they'll watch the draft unfold tonight and see some of their favourites join these brand new teams, but it's exciting for these new squads in Vancouver and Seattle to really build these teams from scratch,' Lalonde said. 'Whether you're Seattle or Vancouver, it's all about need. What do you need? Do you want to get a top defender? Do you want to get a skilled forward?' The 2025 PWHL expansion draft begins at 8:30 p.m. on the PWHL's website and its YouTube channel.
Washington Post
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
PWHL expansion signings: Seattle lands Barnes and Serdachny, Vancouver adds goalie Maschmeyer
Hilary Knight has company in Seattle, with the new PWHL team adding two 2024 first-round draft picks — Ottawa forward Danielle Serdachny and Montreal defenseman Cayla Barnes — on Thursday during the league's expansion signing period. The league announced Serdachny agreed to sign a two-year contract and Barnes reached a three-year deal to join Knight as the yet-to-be-named franchise's first three players.
