Most Exciting PWHL Training Camp Invites
PWHL Training Camp rosters were just released so here’s a look at some of the most exciting invites, not under contract:
Toronto Sceptres
Starting things off with the Toronto Sceptres inviting JessyMaude Drapeau from Concordia University. The Quebec native ended her U Sports career as one of the most decorated women’s hockey players in U Sports history with a pair of gold and pair of silver medals, capping it all off with the Broderick Trophy as the U Sports Player of the Year. This past season Drapeau had 39 points in 24 games, marking a new career high. Throughout her time with the Stingers, she recorded 150 points in 124 games. Beyond the stat sheet, her leadership has been instrumental for the Stingers program.
PWHL Hamilton
Heading just down the highway is PWHL Hamilton who invited Lucy Morgan from MoDo in the SDHL. Morgan was a part of Minnesota’s reserve, before joining Ottawa, and then heading overseas. While Hamilton already has their starter in Kayle Osborne there is still a lot unknown for what direction they are going for their backup, with 4 goalies attending camp including Osborne. Morgan is an exciting invite as we haven’t really got to see what she is capable of, playing only one regular season game in the PWHL. I think she has the potential to come in and surprise everyone.
Ottawa Charge
Also in the battle of Ontario, is the Ottawa Charge, who invited Annalise Wong, Captain from the University of British Columbia. So far we have seen a lot of U Sports athletes get passed up in the PWHL draft, despite strong talent with only two players being drafted this year. But that presents an exciting opportunity in training camp for these athletes to come in and show off their talent, it also gives players a little more freedom with the option to accept or decline camp offers. Last season Wong recorded a career high with the Thunderbirds, recording 33 points in her senior season, leading the team to the Canada West Championship in a historic 26-win season.
New York Sirens
Heading South to New York, was the Sirens inviting goaltender Quinn Kuntz from the 2024-25 Wisconsin Badgers team, where she became a three-time NCAA Champion. We most recently saw Kuntz in the final season of Da Beauty League where she was a standout against strong players from across the PWHL and NCAA. The Sirens have continued to have a heavy turnover in the goaltender position losing Corrine Schroeder to Seattle in the first expansion, then Kayle Osborne in the most recent one. The Sirens don’t have a clear direction for their starting goaltender yet, with 4 goalies attending camp including two who were with the team Kaley Doyle and Callie Shanahan. Shanahan played four games last season, while Doyle only played in the pre-season. They also brought in Elaine Chuli from the Toronto Sceptres, this is going to be a situation to watch through training camp as New York looks to solidify their goalie situation and find their starter.
Boston Fleet
Rounding out the rosters we have in the Eastern Conference is the Boston Fleet who have invited Luisa Welcke, one of the German twins. She has represented Germany on the global stage since the 2016-17 season on the U18 team. This season she wrapped up her career with the Boston Terriers, with 13 points in 28 games, well at the Olympics she recorded 3 points in just 5 games. Now she has played alongside her twin sister Lilli her whole career this is the first time they are branching out which provides an exciting opportunity to see what they can do on their own. The Fleet are looking to rebuild their offense, as their protections focused on the backend, leaving a big opportunity for Luisa to come in and earn a spot on the team.
PWHL Detroit
Then there’s PWHL Detroit who have invited M.K. O’Brien from the University of Minnesota Duluth. This last season O’Brien was the Captain of the Bulldogs, while her stats haven’t necessarily jumped off the page, that’s not necessarily what Detroit is looking for with a stacked offence already built through expansion. O’Brien brings a lot outside of the scoresheet, as a glue-player, leadership, and a lot in between. With Detroit’s identity being built around gritty hard-working players M.K. would be a great fit and with the offensive talent they already have, provide more depth in their lineup. Well if she makes the team she will most likely end up on the third/fourth line or slotted as the extra forward, don’t count her out.
Minnesota Frost
Also in the Western Conference, is the Minnesota Frost who have Clara Yuhn from Boston University. In her last season with the Terriers she had the honor of wearing the “A.” Just like M.K. O’Brien her stats don’t necessarily jump off the sheet, the Frost know how to get offence from their entire lineup, they were also able to hold on to their core with major offensive players in Taylor Fox, Kelly Pannek, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, and Grace Zumwinkle, they aren’t looking for a top line player, but someone to come in be a bit more gritty and provide depth in their lineup. The Frost have had to rebuild quite a bit through both expansions, but Melissa Caruso and Ken Klee know what they are doing and with lots of doubt after the inaugural expansion the Frost came back and found their best regular season finish yet, punching their ticket to their third-straight playoffs.
Vancouver Goldeneyes
Way out west is the Vancouver Goldeneyes who have invited Olivia Knowles from the New York Sirens. This season Knowles only got to suit up for three games, she has been in the league since the inaugural season starting with Toronto. She has been underutilized, often not seeing the ice even when she is dressed or playing limited minutes. With the Vancouver Goldeneyes having Cara Garnder-Morey step into the head coaching role, and the first overall pick Caroline Harvey coming in, they are looking to make a push and improve on last year’s finish. I think Vancouver would be a great opportunity for Knowles, with strong players like Sophie Jaques and Caroline Harvey on the backend, she’ll be able to learn a lot but also they may be able to help her draw out her game to have a major impact.
We are still waiting on Training Camp announcements from Montreal, Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Jose.
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Toronto Sceptres
Starting things off with the Toronto Sceptres inviting JessyMaude Drapeau from Concordia University. The Quebec native ended her U Sports career as one of the most decorated women’s hockey players in U Sports history with a pair of gold and pair of silver medals, capping it all off with the Broderick Trophy as the U Sports Player of the Year. This past season Drapeau had 39 points in 24 games, marking a new career high. Throughout her time with the Stingers, she recorded 150 points in 124 games. Beyond the stat sheet, her leadership has been instrumental for the Stingers program.
PWHL Hamilton
Heading just down the highway is PWHL Hamilton who invited Lucy Morgan from MoDo in the SDHL. Morgan was a part of Minnesota’s reserve, before joining Ottawa, and then heading overseas. While Hamilton already has their starter in Kayle Osborne there is still a lot unknown for what direction they are going for their backup, with 4 goalies attending camp including Osborne. Morgan is an exciting invite as we haven’t really got to see what she is capable of, playing only one regular season game in the PWHL. I think she has the potential to come in and surprise everyone.
Ottawa Charge
Also in the battle of Ontario, is the Ottawa Charge, who invited Annalise Wong, Captain from the University of British Columbia. So far we have seen a lot of U Sports athletes get passed up in the PWHL draft, despite strong talent with only two players being drafted this year. But that presents an exciting opportunity in training camp for these athletes to come in and show off their talent, it also gives players a little more freedom with the option to accept or decline camp offers. Last season Wong recorded a career high with the Thunderbirds, recording 33 points in her senior season, leading the team to the Canada West Championship in a historic 26-win season.
New York Sirens
Heading South to New York, was the Sirens inviting goaltender Quinn Kuntz from the 2024-25 Wisconsin Badgers team, where she became a three-time NCAA Champion. We most recently saw Kuntz in the final season of Da Beauty League where she was a standout against strong players from across the PWHL and NCAA. The Sirens have continued to have a heavy turnover in the goaltender position losing Corrine Schroeder to Seattle in the first expansion, then Kayle Osborne in the most recent one. The Sirens don’t have a clear direction for their starting goaltender yet, with 4 goalies attending camp including two who were with the team Kaley Doyle and Callie Shanahan. Shanahan played four games last season, while Doyle only played in the pre-season. They also brought in Elaine Chuli from the Toronto Sceptres, this is going to be a situation to watch through training camp as New York looks to solidify their goalie situation and find their starter.
Boston Fleet
Rounding out the rosters we have in the Eastern Conference is the Boston Fleet who have invited Luisa Welcke, one of the German twins. She has represented Germany on the global stage since the 2016-17 season on the U18 team. This season she wrapped up her career with the Boston Terriers, with 13 points in 28 games, well at the Olympics she recorded 3 points in just 5 games. Now she has played alongside her twin sister Lilli her whole career this is the first time they are branching out which provides an exciting opportunity to see what they can do on their own. The Fleet are looking to rebuild their offense, as their protections focused on the backend, leaving a big opportunity for Luisa to come in and earn a spot on the team.
PWHL Detroit
Then there’s PWHL Detroit who have invited M.K. O’Brien from the University of Minnesota Duluth. This last season O’Brien was the Captain of the Bulldogs, while her stats haven’t necessarily jumped off the page, that’s not necessarily what Detroit is looking for with a stacked offence already built through expansion. O’Brien brings a lot outside of the scoresheet, as a glue-player, leadership, and a lot in between. With Detroit’s identity being built around gritty hard-working players M.K. would be a great fit and with the offensive talent they already have, provide more depth in their lineup. Well if she makes the team she will most likely end up on the third/fourth line or slotted as the extra forward, don’t count her out.
Minnesota Frost
Also in the Western Conference, is the Minnesota Frost who have Clara Yuhn from Boston University. In her last season with the Terriers she had the honor of wearing the “A.” Just like M.K. O’Brien her stats don’t necessarily jump off the sheet, the Frost know how to get offence from their entire lineup, they were also able to hold on to their core with major offensive players in Taylor Fox, Kelly Pannek, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, and Grace Zumwinkle, they aren’t looking for a top line player, but someone to come in be a bit more gritty and provide depth in their lineup. The Frost have had to rebuild quite a bit through both expansions, but Melissa Caruso and Ken Klee know what they are doing and with lots of doubt after the inaugural expansion the Frost came back and found their best regular season finish yet, punching their ticket to their third-straight playoffs.
Vancouver Goldeneyes
Way out west is the Vancouver Goldeneyes who have invited Olivia Knowles from the New York Sirens. This season Knowles only got to suit up for three games, she has been in the league since the inaugural season starting with Toronto. She has been underutilized, often not seeing the ice even when she is dressed or playing limited minutes. With the Vancouver Goldeneyes having Cara Garnder-Morey step into the head coaching role, and the first overall pick Caroline Harvey coming in, they are looking to make a push and improve on last year’s finish. I think Vancouver would be a great opportunity for Knowles, with strong players like Sophie Jaques and Caroline Harvey on the backend, she’ll be able to learn a lot but also they may be able to help her draw out her game to have a major impact.
We are still waiting on Training Camp announcements from Montreal, Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Jose.
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