Latest news with #SarahFillier
CBC
21 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
With a lucrative multi-year contract in hand, PWHL star Sarah Fillier is chasing greatness
Social Sharing Four years ago, headlines called her "the next one" and "a rising superstar" in women's hockey. At her first world championship inside a bubble in Calgary in 2021, then-21-year-old Sarah Fillier put up nearly a point per game as the Canadians won gold. They were heavy expectations to place on a player who was still in college. But four years later, no one can argue that Fillier hasn't lived up to the hype. No longer a rookie, Fillier is a bona fide star whose instincts, skill and hunger to get better put her in the sport's top echelon. In her first season in the PWHL, Fillier tied American superstar, Hilary Knight, for the league scoring lead, putting up 29 points in 30 games for the New York Sirens. She was named the league's Rookie of the Year. "Any time she's on the ice, magic will happen and magic could happen," the Sirens' GM, Pascal Daoust, said in an interview. "A game is never over when you have players like herself with a single shot that can change the whole rhythm in a game. It's a game changer." This year could be Fillier's biggest yet. This summer, the Sirens signed Fillier to a two-year deal — the most lucrative one the league has seen yet, though the league doesn't release specific dollar figures. With several players from last year's team gone via trade or expansion, the Sirens are now clearly built around Fillier, who will be bolstered by top draft picks such as Kristýna Kaltounková, Casey O'Brien and Anne Cherkowski. The rebuilt Sirens are aiming for the team's first playoff berth, a mark the team missed despite a stellar campaign from Fillier. The forward will also have a chance to earn her second Olympic gold medal on a Canadian national team where she's now a veteran. And there's still room to grow. "With Sarah, we're so impressed with obviously the speed she plays the game, the passion, the energy, all those things," said Troy Ryan, Team Canada's head coach. "I still don't believe she's fully come close to what her potential could be. I don't mean that negatively — it's exciting that she's as good as she is. As much as she's been around our program, I think this year should be or could be, and we hope to be, probably the best year of her career." Her short-term goals are obvious: Fillier wants to win the Walter Cup and defend the Canadians' Olympic title. Her long-term goal is even bigger. Fillier wants to be one of the best of all time, and to have her name mentioned in the same conversation as a player she's always idolized. Sarah Fillier wants to one day reach the level of Marie-Philip Poulin 9 minutes ago CBC Sports spoke with the 25-year-old PWHL star, who is entering her second season with the New York Sirens. That's why she always tries to soak up as much as she can from that player every time they share a locker room. "To be honest, I would love to be able to see my game come close to what Marie-Philip Poulin has done in her career," Fillier said in an interview with CBC Sports. "She's the definition of greatness in our game in her clutchness and humility and everything. I think she's the benchmark for what you have to be to be great, and to be remembered as a cornerstone of the national team and of women's hockey." Fillier leads rebuilt Sirens While Fillier's first season was an individual success, the Sirens fell short of the comeback season many predicted after Fillier was picked first overall in the 2024 draft. A mid-season losing streak and injuries were two of the factors that ultimately sunk the Sirens' season. With the expansion draft forcing every team to expose good players, Daoust described it as "an opportunity to look at ourselves in the mirror and try to be honest." "Honesty comes sometimes with tough decisions — tough decisions that sometimes we were not even in control to make," Daoust said. "But some other tough decisions that we felt were for the good of the organization after chatting with players, staff during the exit meetings. So to me, it was a great opportunity to change the angle that we were aiming at." After a summer of change across the PWHL, perhaps no team has changed more than the Sirens. Out of the top six forwards who lined up for the team's first game of the season last December, only Fillier remains. Starting goaltender, Corinne Schroeder, was lost to expansion Seattle, while top defender, Ella Shelton, was traded to Toronto for the pick used to draft O'Brien. While Fillier acknowledges that a big part of the team's core was lost to expansion, including her former linemate, Alex Carpenter, she also feels excited by the players who were drafted in June. On the entry draft's floor in Ottawa, she found herself envisioning her team's future lineup. O'Brien is coming off one of the most prolific college careers of all time, having just won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in women's college history with Wisconsin. She could slide into the slot vacated by Carpenter as the team's top centre, should the coaching staff opt to play Fillier on the wing. Then, there's Kaltounková, a power forward who has a great shot. The first European player to go first overall in the draft will get to lineup alongside Fillier, after battling against each other in the Eastern College Athletic Conference when Fillier was in college. Fillier also pointed to second-round pick Cherkowski, a forward from Clarkson University who can play up and down a lineup, as a sleeper pick. With Fillier on board for the next two seasons, she can build alongside the Sirens' new core. It's a departure from last summer, when Fillier signed a one-year contract a couple weeks before training camp, not knowing what the next season might bring. Now, she has "a great sense of security." "I think it just lets you develop more relationships and really help steer the ship collectively as a group," Fillier said. "I want to be part of building something great, which I feel like New York has a really good foundation to do that." Embracing pressure With the contract out of the way, Fillier has been focusing on her explosiveness in her off-season training. Quickness is a big part of her game, so maintaining her foot speed will always be a priority. She'll head to a Hockey Canada training camp at the end of this month. With three national team training camps and four Rivalry Series games scheduled before the Olympics begin in Italy in February, one challenge for the Canadian staff will be figuring out who fits best alongside Fillier. WATCH | Explaining the Canadian women's hockey team's road to the Olympics in Milano: Explaining the 'Road to Milano-Cortina' for women's hockey players 9 days ago The coaching staff has even experimented with Fillier and Poulin together, as they've looked for the right fit for Poulin, too. But that seemed to weaken the team's depth. The training blocks could be a key part of unlocking even more from Fillier, Ryan said. "I think some players that are really, really good at a young age, they know they're good, they're confident," he said. "But I don't believe they fully understand how good they could be. I think Sarah is just going to start to figure that out." A new contract, on top of an Olympic spotlight, can come with added pressure. Both Ryan and Daoust see Fillier as being ready to embrace it. "Some people will probably hold their stick too tight when there's pressure," Daoust said. "I will say that she is the type of player who will smile on the ice when the pressure is coming." She knows she'll be expected to perform at a high level. But it's nothing new for a player who's been in the spotlight since making the national team at 18. "I feel like it wouldn't be exciting if there wasn't pressure to perform," she said. "In my head, I'm just excited to know that everything I do this year is going to lead right into next. It's almost more motivating at a point for me to know that I'm here for two years. I want to make it great."
Edmonton Journal
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Dustin Wolf among NHL, PWHL stars to tee-off for charity in Rogers Charity Classic
Article content Before the pro goaltender straps the pads back on, though, Wolf will join seven other NHL and PWHL stars and alumni in competing to help Albertans in need during the Rogers Charity Classic. Article content Article content The annual PGA Tour Champions tournament has become one of the most hotly anticipated sporting events in Calgary, and the Rogers Legends of Hockey competition gives Wolf and a few other pros a chance to show off their swings when the golf superstars are done for the day at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club. Article content Article content Wolf, who was nominated for the Calder Trophy after an exceptional rookie season in 2024-25, will be joined by 2025 PWHL Rookie of the Year Sarah Fillier, two-time Olympic gold medallists Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Meaghan Mikkelson, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, Winnipeg Jets alternate Captain Mark Scheifele, Vegas Golden Knights shot-stopper Adin Hill and former Flames forward Matt Stajan. Article content Article content 'Rogers is Canada's home of hockey,' Rogers chief brand and communications officer Terrie Tweddle said. 'And we're thrilled to bring some of hockey's best to the Rogers Charity Classic to further support children and youth across Alberta.' Article content They'll be teeing off in a closest-to-the-hole, money-ball challenge on the 18th green once the final group has finished on Saturday, Aug. 16. There will be 'three periods plus overtime' with each player taking four shots per period. Article content Article content The winner will get $100,000 to go to charity. Article content Each participant will also receive $10,000 to benefit a Canadian charity of their choice from the Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink program. Article content Since its inception, the Rogers Charity Classic has raised $137.7 million for charities that support Alberta kids and youth, including a record $25.4 million last year. Article content 'We are grateful to bring the power of Rogers sports partnerships to the tournament as we are committed to ensuring golf fans in Calgary have the opportunity to watch many of the best names in the game, while also finding innovative ways to grow our event and offer memorable experiences for all ages,' said Sean Van Kesteren, executive director of the Rogers Charity Classic. Article content 'Rogers Legends of Hockey has become a staple event in our lineup of activities on Saturday, bringing hockey fans and families together with the stars of the PGA TOUR Champions for an unforgettable day at the golf course.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sarah Fillier signs 2-year contract with New York Sirens, becoming PWHL's highest-paid player
Sarah Fillier was already one of the best players in the Professional Women's Hockey League, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing tied for first in scoring in her debut season. Now, with a new two-year contract with the New York Sirens, she is also the highest-paid player in the league, according to a source briefed on the contract. Advertisement As reported in June, the PWHL Players Association voted to disclose salaries for the first time in the league's two-season history. However, specific contract details have not been made publicly available at this time. The Sirens announced the Fillier signing on Thursday afternoon, with general manager Pascal Daoust calling it a 'milestone day' for the organization. '(It's) a true privilege for the New York Sirens organization and our fans to know that we'll be building the future here in New York with Sarah,' Daoust said in a press release. 'She brings exceptional talent, leadership and a relentless will to win — qualities that will elevate every teammate and ignite excitement in every fan. A unique person in a unique market, united by shared goals and driven by a standard of excellence.' Signing Fillier, who was a restricted free agent after signing a one-year contract last season, was the biggest piece of business left for Daoust this offseason. Advertisement Fillier was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 PWHL draft and has been widely viewed as a generational talent, with three world championships and an Olympic gold medal. She's a highly intelligent center with high-end offensive tools and versatility to play the wing. No player had more points than Fillier during her rookie season; she finished tied with U.S. star Hilary Knight for the league-wide lead with 29 points in 30 games. At the PWHL Awards last month, Fillier was named to the all-rookie team, a first-team all-star and was a finalist for Forward of the Year — which went to Montreal captain and MVP Marie-Philip Poulin. That a player of her ilk initially signed such a short-term contract just weeks before training camp was set to begin was surprising. But as reported in November, Fillier was looking for a two-year deal rather than the three years preferred by the team. According to a source, Fillier wanted flexibility if the PWHL were to expand – which it did, adding two teams in Seattle and Vancouver – and time to decide if New York is the right long-term fit. The two parties ultimately compromised with a one-year deal. Eight months later, the decision looks like a savvy bet by Fillier, both in terms of her earning potential and New York's trajectory. Advertisement The Sirens once again finished at the bottom of the league standings last season, but Daoust was busy this offseason re-shaping the team — and clearing cap space in the process. New York lost top-six forwards Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge during the expansion process, as well as starting goalie Corinne Schroeder. At the draft, New York selected Kristýna Kaltounková with the No. 1 pick, adding a physical forward with international experience and a heavy shot to bring more offense to the Sirens lineup. Then, he traded defender Ella Shelton to Toronto for the third-overall pick – where he selected Patty Kazmaier winner Casey O'Brien – and later moved Abby Roque to Montreal for Team Canada forward Kristin O'Neill. The end result is a roster with a talented young core that revolves around Fillier, who will now be with the Sirens through the 2026-27 PWHL season. 'I'm really looking forward to what's ahead,' Fillier said in the release. 'And continuing to build something great in the Big Apple.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. NHL, Women's Hockey 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Sarah Fillier signs 2-year contract with New York Sirens, becoming PWHL's highest-paid player
Sarah Fillier was already one of the best players in the Professional Women's Hockey League, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing tied for first in scoring in her debut season. Now, with a new two-year contract with the New York Sirens, she is also the highest-paid player in the league, according to a source briefed on the contract. Advertisement As The Athletic reported in June, the PWHL Players Association voted to disclose salaries for the first time in the league's two-season history. But specific contract details have not been made publicly available at this time. The Sirens announced the Fillier signing on Thursday afternoon, with general manager Pascal Daoust calling it a 'milestone day' for the organization. '(It's) a true privilege for the New York Sirens organization and our fans to know that we'll be building the future here in New York with Sarah,' Daoust said in a press release. 'She brings exceptional talent, leadership and a relentless will to win — qualities that will elevate every teammate and ignite excitement in every fan. A unique person in a unique market, united by shared goals and driven by a standard of excellence.' Signing Fillier, who was a restricted free agent after signing a one-year contract last season, was the biggest piece of business left for general manager Pascal Daoust this offseason. Fillier was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 PWHL draft and has been widely viewed as a generational talent, with three world championships and an Olympic gold medal. She's a highly intelligent center with high-end offensive tools and versatility to play the wing. No player had more points than Fillier during her rookie season; she finished tied with U.S. star Hilary Knight for the league-wide lead with 29 points in 30 games. At the PWHL Awards last month, Fillier was named to the all-rookie team, a first-team all-star and was a finalist for Forward of the Year — which went to Montreal captain and MVP Marie-Philip Poulin. That a player of her ilk initially signed such a short-term contract just weeks before training camp was set to begin was surprising. But as The Athletic reported in November, Fillier was looking for a two-year deal rather than the three years preferred by the team. According to a source, Fillier wanted flexibility if the PWHL were to expand – which it did, adding two teams in Seattle and Vancouver – and time to decide if New York is the right long-term fit. The two parties ultimately compromised with a one-year deal. Advertisement Eight months later, the decision looks like a savvy bet by Fillier, both in terms of her earning potential and New York's trajectory. The Sirens once again finished at the bottom of the league standings last season, but Daoust was busy this offseason re-shaping the team — and clearing cap space in the process. New York lost top-six forwards Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge during the expansion process, as well as starting goalie Corinne Schroeder. At the draft, New York selected Kristýna Kaltounková with the No. 1 pick, adding a physical forward with international experience and a heavy shot to bring more offense to the Sirens lineup. Then, he traded defender Ella Shelton to Toronto for the third-overall pick – where he selected Patty Kazmaier winner Casey O'Brien – and later moved Abby Roque to Montreal for Team Canada forward Kristin O'Neill. The end result is a roster with a talented young core that revolves around Fillier, who will now be with the Sirens through the 2026-27 PWHL season. 'I'm really looking forward to what's ahead,' Fillier said in the release. 'And continuing to build something great in the Big Apple.'
National Post
06-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Laura Stacey's annual charity road hockey tournament brings much-needed smiles
It's been a tough summer for the player's side of the PWHL but there were only smiles at an event Saturday afternoon that included the best of the best from the league that took over a small chunk of Etobicoke. Article content It was Laura Stacey's annual LS7 Sticks In For Charity ball hockey tournament and it brought out the who's who in the PWHL from Stacey to last year's MVP Marie-Philip Poulin to last year's Rookie of the Year Sarah Fillier and last year's defender of the year Renata Fast to name just a few who took part in the tournament. Article content Article content For the first time, Stacey, her friends and family didn't have to organize this all on their own with her LS7 charity gaining national standing, and with it a year-round foundation that took over some of the planning duties. Article content But it was still very much a Stacey family and neighbourhood event with four rinks closing off a handful of suburban roads in Etobicoke just south of Dundas St. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura Stacey (@laurastacey7) Article content It was the sixth annual tournament for Stacey and her family, and for the second year in a row surpassed the $50,000 goal that goes to support youth access to sport. Article content Later this summer Stacey and her foundation will host her first Montreal tournament and hopes to match what they raised Saturday in Toronto. Article content Saturday's all-day tournament was won by a team captained by former Toronto Sceptres goalie Erica Howe over a Fillier-led squad. Article content Fillier, who played goal in the tournament as did most of the PWHL celebs taking part, showed plenty of skill in the net but was the victim of a bad bounce off the end boards that allowed the Howe-led green team to prevail in overtime in the championship game. Article content Howe, who has been a participant all six years the tournament has existed, still marvels six years in at the support her good friend Stacey receives from the Etobicoke neighbourhood where she grew up and her family still resides. Article content 'Every year coming here you just feel the impact it has on this community,' Howe said. 'As soon as you walk in, I mean it's not a big thing. It's just neighbours playing road hockey, and raising money for sport. But both community and sport have been huge in my life, especially the past year, so you feel it. It's genuine and wholesome and I just love it here.' Article content Article content Howie, as she is affectionately known by teammates and friends, saw that support this past year in her battle with cancer as both the hockey community and her work community within the firefighting profession rallied to keep her spirits up and her outlook positive as she went through chemotherapy. Article content For Stacey, the day is a labour of love and togetherness as all the people in her life rally to make her tournament the roaring success is has become. Article content But Stacey also saw the lift a get-together like this can be for her teammates and league mates who may have struggled these past couple of months watching as their teams were somewhat dismantled in order to bring two expansion teams right up to speed. Article content 'There's a lot of emotions, right,' Stacey said of the expansion process. 'People are on teams that they love but now they are going to different teams. We are losing teammates. It's all those emotions, but I think at the end of the day all of us, even here, you just zoom out a little and remind yourself we're playing professionally now. There's not really much to complain about. Yes, maybe we are moving far and yes, maybe our friends are leaving and going to different cities, but at the end of the day Seattle and Vancouver are phenomenal cities and those women's sports markets are going to thrive and so many new girls are going to get the opportunity to watch pros play which is a great perspective to have.'
