Latest news with #PWHL
New York Post
an hour ago
- Business
- New York Post
Sirens surprisingly don't protect Alex Carpenter as PWHL expansion draft nears
The New York Sirens gave their fan base a shock on Tuesday. The PWHL announced the 18 players — three from each of the inaugural six teams — protected from selection in the exclusive signing window and in the expansion draft being staged for the new Seattle and Vancouver teams entering the league in the 2025-26 season. The Sirens selected forward Sarah Fillier, defenseman Ella Shelton, and defenseman Micah Zandee-Hart, which shockingly leaves Alex Carpenter unprotected. The Massachusetts native had 23 points last season, 13th most in the league. She also ranked third on the Sirens in goals scored (11) behind teammates Jessie Eldridge (9) and rookie Fillier (13). Carpenter, 31, has been a stalwart for the Sirens for the past two seasons. The forward has an 18.6 shooting percentage, which is more than double from the previous season. In 2024, she was also named to the IIHF Women's World Championship All-Star Team, and was recognized as the best forward, leading the tournament in goals (6) and points (10). Carpenter also earned a silver medal at both the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics with Team USA. The Sirens still could make a move for Carpenter. After an inaugural team has lost two players through either the exclusive signing window or the expansion draft, the team is able to protect one additional player. Sirens alternate captain Alex Carpenter was surprisingly left unprotected by the team as the expansion draft nears. Steven Garcia/CSM/Shutterstock The fourth protected player must either be under contract for the 2025-26 season or the team must hold their playing rights through the 2025-26 season. Carpenter just completed the second year of a three-year contract. Other players that would be eligible for the Sirens to protect are Eldridge (F), Lauren Bernard (D), Jaime Bourbonnais (D), Emmy Fecteau (F), Elle Hartje (F), Paetyn Levis (F), Maja Nylén Persson (D), Kayle Osborne (G), Abby Roque (F), Gabby Rosenthal (F), Corinne Schroeder (G), Allyson Simpson (D), and Noora Tulus (F). Alex Carpenter skates before a Sirens game against the Ottawa Charge early in the season. Noah K. Murray / New York Post The exclusive signing window begins June 4 and runs through June 8. The expansion draft will take place on June 9.
NBC Sports
4 hours ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
Hilary Knight tops list of unprotected players available to PWHL expansion teams
Boston Fleet captain and MVP candidate Hilary Knight heads a star-caliber list of players left unprotected by their respective teams in being made available to the PWHL's expansion franchises in Seattle and Vancouver. Among the other high-profile players left unprotected in a list released by the league on Tuesday were Minnesota's Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle, New York's Alex Carpenter, Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner and veteran defenseman Jocelyne Larocque and Toronto's Sarah Nurse. The release of the list opens the first part of the PWHL's two-phased roster-building process, which opens with a five-day exclusive signing window Wednesday. It will be followed by an expansion draft on Monday. Seattle and Vancouver can sign up to five players each, and will then fill out their remaining first 12 roster spots in the expansion draft. The wealth of talent being made available is a result of the PWHL placing an emphasis on ensuring its two newest teams can be competitive for the league's third season expected to open in November. The PWHL limited its six existing teams to protecting just three players, with the ability to add a fourth once they lose two players. The six teams will lose four players each in the expansion process, after which all eight teams will participate in the PWHL draft on June 24. Knight is coming off a stellar season in which she had 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) to finish tied for the league lead with New York rookie Sarah Fillier. And it comes as Knight, who turns 36 in July, is winding down her international career upon announcing the 2026 Winter Games will be her fifth and final representing the United States. Knight intends to continue her PWHL career, and could be open to a move to the Pacific Northwest given she makes her offseason home in Idaho. Knight is also familiar with Seattle GM Meghan Turner, who spent the past two seasons as the Fleet's assistant GM. The list of unprotected players include five of the six selected in the first round of last year's draft in Ottawa's Danielle Serdachny, Minnesota's Claire Thompson, Boston's Hannah Bilka, Montreal's Cayla Barnes and Toronto's Julia Gosling. Thompson's future is uncertain as she has yet to announce whether she plans to resume pursuing her medical degree at NYU after being scheduled to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Games in February. She has ties to Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who coached Thompson as Princeton. Both expansion teams will have numerous goaltending options, with New York's Corinne Schroeder, Minnesota's Nicole Hensley, Ottawa's Emerance Maschmeyer and Toronto's Kristen Campbell available. Boston protected goalie Aerin Frankel, defenseman Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller. The defending champion Frost protected captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, forward Taylor Heise and defenseman Lee Stecklein. New York protected Fillier and defensemen Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Montreal protected goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens and forwards Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. Ottawa protected forward Emily Clark, goalie Gwyneth Philips and defenseman Ronja Savolainen. Toronto protected captain Blayre Turnbull, forward Daryl Watts and defenseman Renata Fast. The PWHL also issued a list of prospective unrestricted free agents, who are available to the expansion teams during the signing period, but not eligible to be drafted. The group includes the PWHL's inaugural season MVP, Toronto's Natalie Spooner, Boston's Susanna Tapani and Minnesota's Liz Schepers, who has scored the Walter Cup Finals series-clinching goal in each of the past two years.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New bar dedicated to showing women's sports to open in Boston: The Sports Bra
A bar dedicated to showing exclusively women's sports expanded to four new cities, including the City of Champions. The Sports Bra, based out of Portland, Oregon, announced on Tuesday they will be opening locations in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis. Advertisement The two hometown professional women's teams include the PWHL's Boston Fleet and the NWSL's Boston Legacy FC. 'The first four franchises of The Sports Bra will join our OG Portland location to become the 'Starting Five,'' founder and CEO Jenny Nguyen said. 'Together, we're serving fans nationwide who are hungry for spaces that not only champion women's sports, but create a community where everyone feels like they belong. There is no better moment than this to open these places.' The menu boasts a wide variety of barroom favorites, including wings and burgers. They also include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free menu options, along with signature cocktails. Nguyen said each new location will be locally owned and operated, although the location in Boston has not yet been announced. Advertisement "These owner/operators are capable, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to The Bra's mission," she said. 'We continue to support them as they locate the perfect spaces for their own Bras, and we can't wait to celebrate with them when it's time to open their doors!' Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
National Post
5 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Fleet's Hilary Knight, Sceptres' Natalie Spooner highlight list of unprotected PWHL players
Several stars could be on the move as the Professional Women's Hockey League's new franchises start building their rosters this week. The league's six original teams released their lists of protected players Tuesday. Article content The Boston Fleet are keeping goalie Aerin Frankel, defender Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller, while the championship-winging Minnesota Frost will hang on to forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein. Article content The Montreal Victoire protected goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey, and the New York Sirens went with standout rookie Sarah Fillier, and defenders Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Article content After making their first appearance in the PWHL final, the Ottawa Charge are hanging onto forward Emily Clark, first-year goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, while the Toronto Sceptres have protected defender Renata Fast, and forwards Blayre Turnbull and Daryl Watts. Just as revealing are the players that weren't included and are available for Vancouver and Seattle to sign this week or select in Monday's expansion draft. Here are some of the top players up for grabs. Article content HILARY KNIGHT: Perhaps the most surprising name on the list of eligible players, the Boston Fleet captain is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where she tied for the league lead in scoring with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists). The 35-year-old Knight is up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player and has a long history on the international stage, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. Article content CLAIRE THOMPSON: The Minnesota Frost had tough decisions to make after winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles, and opted to leave the 27-year-old defender exposed. Thompson put up four goals and 14 assists in her rookie season this year, and is a finalist for the PWHL defender of the year award. She also has history with Vancouver's new general manager, Cara Gardner Morey, having played for her at Princeton. Article content Article content ERIN AMBROSE: The veteran Canadian defender is a prime pick for expansion teams looking for both leadership and a stalwart presence on their blue line. Ambrose helped the Montreal Victoire finish the regular season atop the PWHL standings with 13 assists in 28 games. The 31-year-old from Keswick, Ont., has also been a key piece of Canada's women's squad, and won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Fleet's Hilary Knight, Sceptres' Natalie Spooner highlight list of unprotected PWHL players
Several stars could be on the move as the Professional Women's Hockey League's new franchises start building their rosters this week. The league's six original teams released their lists of protected players Tuesday. The Boston Fleet are keeping goalie Aerin Frankel, defender Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller, while the championship-winging Minnesota Frost will hang on to forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein. The Montreal Victoire protected goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey, and the New York Sirens went with standout rookie Sarah Fillier, and defenders Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. After making their first appearance in the PWHL final, the Ottawa Charge are hanging onto forward Emily Clark, first-year goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, while the Toronto Sceptres have protected defender Renata Fast, and forwards Blayre Turnbull and Daryl Watts. Just as revealing are the players that weren't included and are available for Vancouver and Seattle to sign this week or select in Monday's expansion draft. Here are some of the top players up for grabs. HILARY KNIGHT: Perhaps the most surprising name on the list of eligible players, the Boston Fleet captain is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where she tied for the league lead in scoring with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists). The 35-year-old Knight is up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player and has a long history on the international stage, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. CLAIRE THOMPSON: The Minnesota Frost had tough decisions to make after winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles, and opted to leave the 27-year-old defender exposed. Thompson put up four goals and 14 assists in her rookie season this year, and is a finalist for the PWHL defender of the year award. She also has history with Vancouver's new general manager, Cara Gardner Morey, having played for her at Princeton. ERIN AMBROSE: The veteran Canadian defender is a prime pick for expansion teams looking for both leadership and a stalwart presence on their blue line. Ambrose helped the Montreal Victoire finish the regular season atop the PWHL standings with 13 assists in 28 games. The 31-year-old from Keswick, Ont., has also been a key piece of Canada's women's squad, and won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. ALEX CARPENTER: Over two seasons with the New York Sirens, Carpenter has emerged as an offensive specialist. The 31-year-old American notched 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) last season and was among the league's top-10 goal scorers. With ample experience on the international scene, Carpenter's presence would be missed by the Sirens. EMERANCE MASCHMEYER: A leg injury took the goalie out of Ottawa's lineup in mid-March and the Charge protected rookie netminder Philips after she backstopped the team to a nail-bitter overtime loss in the deciding game of the PWHL final. The 30-year-old Maschmeyer has big-game experience, helping Canada to gold at the 2022 Olympics. She's also coming off a season where she posted a 6-7-2-0 record with a .913 save percentage, a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts. NATALIE SPOONER: Spooner was named league MVP after the PWHL's inaugural season. The Toronto Sceptres forward spent much of the season rehabbing from knee surgery and played just 14 games in 2024-25, contributing five points (three goals two assists). A two-time gold medallist for Canada, the 34-year-old Spooner would add skill, experience and leadership to any expansion team. CANADIAN CONTENT: A number of the Canadians who won silver at the women's world championship in April are available to the expansion squads. Forwards up for grabs include Jenn Gardiner (Montreal Victoire), Julia Gosling (Toronto Sceptres), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge), Emma Maltais (Toronto Sceptres), Sarah Nurse (Toronto Sceptres), Kristin O'Neill (Montreal Victoire), Jamie Lee Rattray (Boston Fleet) and Danielle Serdachny (Ottawa Charge). Vancouver and Seattle could also bring in defenders Sophie Jacques (Minnesota Frost) and Jocelyne Larocque (Ottawa Charge), and goalie Kristen Campbell (Toronto Sceptres). Vancouver and Seattle can sign players during an exclusive signing window between Tuesday and next Monday. An expansion draft will take place on Tuesday, followed by a league-wide entry draft on June 24.
