Boston Fleet’s Alina Muller in concussion protocol, not in lineup on Sunday

One of the top offensive weapons in women’s hockey is on the shelf.

Prior to their game against the New York Sirens on Sunday, the Boston Fleet announced that forward Alina Müller is in concussion protocol and will not be in the lineup for the team’s third game of the season.

Müller was hurt during the Fleet’s 2-1 loss in their home opener against the Minnesota Frost last Wednesday. Late in the second period, Müller received a high hit from Frost defender Maggie Flaherty. The hit was originally ruled a major penalty but was deduced to a minor after the video review deemed that Flaherty’s extended arm made “accidental” contact with Müller.

The Swiss star left the game and didn’t return. Müller played just 9:15 in the defeat. The PWHL rectified its decision, in a way, suspending Flaherty for two games. The Player Safety Committee deemed the act “to be unsafe and dangerous.”

Losing Müller is a huge loss for the Fleet. During the team’s inaugural season, she led the team in scoring, potting five goals and 16 points in 24 games. During the team’s run to the PWHL Final, she registered three assists, including two goals in the series against Minnesota. Her scoring prowess will be absent for a team that has just two goals so far this season.

Through two games this season, the 26-year-old has no points with a plus/minus of -2 while averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time per game.

Müller was the first draft pick in franchise history, as Boston took the Best Forward at the 2018 Olympic Tournament third overall in the 2023 PWHL Draft. She entered the league after a fruitful career at Northeastern University, establishing herself as one of the best players in the world during her multiple appearances on the international stage with Switzerland.

The Fleet (0-0-0-2) is the only team in the league to have lost each of their first two games in regulation.

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