A Check-In on the Original Six

With expansion continuing in the PWHL there have been massive shakeups around the league. But where does that leave the original six? Here’s a check-in: 

Minnesota

Though Minnesota has continued to be hit hard through both expansions, they have been able to keep their core through it all, with Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle and Taylor Heise on the front end, Lee Stecklein and Natalie Buchbinder on the blueline, and Maddie Rooney in net. They have also been able to keep Minnesota native, Claire Butorac who has provided Minnesota with the depth they’ve needed through three straight playoff runs. 

Last season the Frost added Sidney Morin, who has been a key addition. Morin started her PWHL career with Boston. In her two seasons with Boston she recorded 4 goals, and 10 assists. While she got off to a slow start with the Frost, she settled in and found her footing, coming alive when it mattered the most, recording a career high four goals through the playoffs. The defender was critical in keeping the Frost alive in the playoffs scoring both goals in Game 4, forcing a Game 5 in Montreal. 

Boston

The Boston Fleet have continued to be a force in the PWHL, starting the season with …. Shutouts courtesy of Aerin Frankel who alongside Megan Keller, Susanna Tapani, Loren Gabel, and Sophie Shirley have been anchoring the Fleet since the inaugural season through their changing roster. 

Last season the Fleet were able to bring in Liz Schepers, who has hockey roots in Boston, with her grandfather being Bruins center Murray Olivier, who was a five-time all-star, citing her grandfather's legacy as a major part of her decision. Prior to playing with the Boston Fleet, Liz Schepers was a part of the historic back-to-back championships, scoring both Walter Cup winning goals for Minnesota. Her impact has continued this season with the Fleet scoring 6 goals (including 2 game winners) and 4 assists, while making a major impact in the faceoff dot. 

Another key addition this season was rookie Haley Winn who was drafted second overall in the 2025 PWHL draft. The defender had 49 blocks this season, but her efforts continued up front finishing third overall in team scoring with 14 points through the regular season, adding 2 assists in the playoffs. 

New York 

New York is the only original six team that hasn’t made the playoffs, and the high turnover, especially in net hasn’t helped, losing Corine Schroeder in last year's expansion and Kayle Osborn this year the Sirens are once again looking for a hero in net. With the high turnover the Sirens only have Paetyn Levis, Jaime Bourbonnais, and Micah Zandee-Hart remaining from the inaugural season. With Zandee-Hart as the Captain and Bourbonnais stepping into a leadership role this past season. 

Though they have had a rough start in the league they have benefited from their draft position, selecting first overall in back-to-back years allowing them to secure Sarah Fillier and Kristyna Kaltounkova who have been major forces up front. Another key addition has been Taylor Girard who had 7 goals in 17 games, including a hat trick in their first game of the season. This season New York found their best finish yet, though still short of the playoffs, they had a chance late in the season, many have wondered what would have happened if Taylor Girard and Kristyna Kaltounkova remained healthy. 

Montreal 

Montreal has been able to keep a strong core throughout all the changes with key players like Laura Stacey, Catherine Dubois, and Kati Tabin seeing it through with Ann-Renée Desbiens in net. The Victoire continue to draw in fans from coast to coast, with their road trips sometimes appearing as fan advantage. Many fans especially across Canada have been fans of Poulin, Stacey, and Desbiens for years, even when the National jerseys come off, fans can’t stay away. 

While Captain Marie Philip-Poulin is still with the Victoire she will not be able to start the season due to knee injury sustained at the Olympics, leaving her return unknown. Even when she is not playing Poulin is a major motivator for her team, and is expected to continue her impact off the ice. 

Montreal has done a great job filling their team needs through outside additions. Last year the Victoire were able to land Abby Roque in a trade with New York and Maggie Flaherty in free-agency. These additions proved successful as the Montreal Victoire became the first Canadian team to win the Walter Cup with Abby Roque scoring the Walter Cup winning goal scoring 4 goals with 4 assists through the playoffs. While Maggie Flaherty became the first and only three-time Walter Cup champion completing the three-peat. This season the defender had 4 goals adding another 3 in the playoffs including the game-winning goal in Game 2 that sent Montreal to Ottawa with 2-0 series lead. 

Ottawa 

Ottawa has been the most shaken up so far, with lots of Charge players heading to Hamilton next season. Katerina Mrazova, and Gabbie Hughes remain the only players who have been there since the inaugural season, though they have been able to bring in several notable additions throughout the past few seasons. 

Their biggest addition has been Gwyneth Philips in net, who took the league by storm after taking over the net when Emerance Maschmeyer got injured, leading the Charge to the 2025 Finals where they ultimately fell in Game 4 to the Minnesota Frost. This season rookie, Fanuza Kadirova was a major standout for the Charge with 12 goals and 5 assists. 

Another major addition has been hometown girl Rebecca Leslie who scored 19 goals this season with 11 assists. With most of the leadership group leaving the Charge this season Leslie is expected to step into the Captain role, with Jocelyn Larocque by her side. 

Toronto

Through all the changes and turnovers Toronto has been able to keep veteran forward Natalie Spooner, with Renata Fast, Jessica Kondas, and defensive pair Kali Flanagan and Allie Munroe. 

The team has also been able to keep Captain Blayre Turnbull, however, her return is unknown after announcing her pregnancy, from what has been said she is expected to still have a major presence with the team, just not on the ice. Her not re-signing and having no contract in place leaves a lot of question marks around her return, the PWHL CBA gives players 8 weeks of paid maternity leave with no mandate on their return. It is believed Turnbull has not signed in order to control her own timeline without pressure. 

Toronto has continued to prioritize their backend, even through their additions bringing in Raygan Kirk, who took over the starting position in net. Kirk has been able to keep Toronto in games, with tight matches, though the offence has struggled to capitalize. Also adding to the backend the Sceptres traded their third overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft to bring home defender Ella Shelton who recorded a career high 55 blocks this season, while finding ways to contribute up front with 3 goals and 4 assists.