Minnesota Frost, New York Sirens Ready for Puck Drop

Pre-season has been nothing short of exciting, from seasoned vets you know and love to rookies stepping up. One thing is for sure: this season is going to be one to watch. 

Minnesota Frost 

After winning back-to-back Walter Cups, the Minnesota Frost took a hard hit from the expansion, losing key defensive players Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques right off the bat. So it was no surprise at the Draft when, in the First Round, they looked to fill that gap by drafting Kendall Cooper from Quinnipiac University. Then, in the Second and Third Rounds, they drafted for chemistry, picking up forwards Abby Hustler and Anna Segedi from St. Lawrence University. 

When free agency opened up, Minnesota looked to add to their depth, signing Sidey Morin, a defender from the Boston Fleet, to a two-year deal. In the off-season, they locked in Natalie Buchbinder (D), Mae Batherson (D), Dominique Petrie (F), Britta Curl-Salemme (F) for two more years; Claire Butorac (F), Katy Knoll (F), and Marlène Boissonnault (G) for one more year; and Maddie Rooney (G) for three more years.

New York Sirens 

After falling to the bottom of the league two years in a row, the New York Sirens secured the first overall pick in the Draft, selecting Kristyna Kaltounkova from Colgate University. During the Draft, the Sirens made a trade with the Toronto Sceptres, giving up Ella Shelton and a fourth-round pick for Toronto’s third overall pick, which they used to draft hometown girl Casey O’Brien, who played for the University of Wisconsin. She was the recipient of the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award, which recognizes the top player in NCAA NC women’s hockey. 

New York has locked in the majority of their 2025 draft class, signing Kristyna Kaltounkova (F), Casey O’Brien (F), Anne Cherkowski (F), Dayle Ross (D), and Callie Shanahan (G). They have also locked in Taylor Girard (F), Lauren Bernard (D), and Kayla Vespa (F) for one more year; Allyson Simpson (D) and Sarah Fillier (F) for two more years; and Maja Nylén Persson (D) for three more years, along with free agents Jincy Roese (D) from the Ottawa Charge and Savannah Norcross (F) from Luleå HF (SDHL). 

Minnesota Frost at New York Sirens Pre-Season

The Frost opened the pre-season scoring with a goal from Captain Kendall Coyne-Schofield, with assists from Ava Rinker (unsigned draft pick) and Madison Bizal (Training Camp Invite), less than 5 minutes into the first period. The Frost were able to take over the game in the second period with 2 goals from Mae Batherson, one of which came on the Frost power play, assisted by Sidney Morin and Dominique Petrie; on the other goal, Vanessa Upson (unsigned draft pick) recorded the assist. 

With a 3-goal lead, the Frost decided to put in goaltender Marlène Boissonnault for Nicole Hensley. The Frost continued to dominate, extending their lead less than 5 minutes into the third courtesy of Peyton Anderson (Training Camp Invite) with assists from Sidney Morin and Mae Batherson. Kelly Pannek joined the action, scoring off an assist from Kaitlyn O’Donohoe (Training Camp Invite), on the power play. New York found some momentum in the second half of the third with goals from Maddi Wheeler (unsigned draft pick) and Kristýna Kaltounková, both assisted by Lauren Bernard. 

In the win, Nicole Hensley saved all 18 shots against her, while Marlène Boissonnault saved 7 of the 9 shots against. On the other side, Kaley Doyle recorded 24 saves on 29 shots. 

Both teams' rosters moved around for Game 2, seeing big players like Lee Stecklein, Taylor Heise, and Sarah Fillier back in the lineup. 

Kristen O’Neill was able to get the Sirens on the board early off an assist from Paetyn Levis, giving New York a 1-0 lead heading into the second. In the second period, it was the Frost that struck first, with a power play goal from Lee Stecklein, assisted by Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle. The Frost then took their first lead of the game with a goal from rookie Abby Hustler, assisted by Taylor Heise and Brooke Becker (unsigned draft pick). Although the lead wouldn’t last long with Ella Hartje scoring just under a minute later, assisted by new assistant captain Jamie Bourbonnais and Jincy Roese. Anne Cherkowski added to New York's lead towards the end of the second period, assisted by Casey O’Brien and Sarah Fillier. 

The Sirens struck early with Sarah Fillier scoring just over 30 seconds in, off assists from Kristýna Kaltounková and Kristen O’Neill, on the power play. Fillier struck again halfway through the third period with assists from Casey O’Brien and Anne Cherkowski. She then went on to record a natural hat-trick with Casey O’Brien and Allyson Simpson recording the assists, to cap off the Sirens' 6-2 win. 

If Game 2 taught us anything, it’s that the Filler-O’Brien-Cherkowski line is going to be dangerous, and teams need to be prepared.