Forecasting the 2024 PWHL season: Most exciting and disappointing teams, MVP predictions and more
By Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl
The inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to get underway next week, and there are many reasons to be excited.
Our resident women’s hockey experts, Tyler Kuehl and Hunter Crowther, gave their predictions on what to expect in year one.
Which team are you most excited to see?
Tyler: Montreal is looking scary good. They have a healthy mix of both national team members and players that made big impacts in the Premier Hockey Federation. Maureen Murphy has been coming onto the scene after a great run at Northeastern, while they also have Team Canada stars Laura Stacey and Erin Ambrose.
In goal, they have one of the best in the game in Ann-Renée Desbiens, along with Elaine Chuli, who is hot off winning the PHF’s Isobel Cup with the Toronto Six.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that they have Marie-Philip Poulin?
Hunter: I’d have to say Toronto is who I’m most excited to watch. You have a well-balanced group of Canadian national team players, led by Sarah Nurse, Emma Maltais, Blayre Turnbull and Natalie Spooner up front, as well as U.S. Olympian and former Boston University captain Jesse Compher.
On the blueline, Renata Fast and future Hockey Hall of Famer Jocelyne Larocque lead a defensive core with its fair share of PHF talent, including Kali Flanagan, who won an Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride.
In goal, it’s Kristen Campbell’s crease to lose after being taken in the third round of the PWHL Draft. Erica Howe and Carly Jackson will provide reliable depth as the season goes on.
Which team is most likely to disappoint?
Tyler: The issue for Ottawa is, while they were able to sign Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner and Emerance Maschmeyer, they do not have the depth that the other teams have, especially up front. They took a big swing by drafting USNT defender Savanah Harmon and Minnesota-Duluth product Ashton Bell, but there are holes in their top six.
Hunter: For me, it’s New York. I think they have a lot of young, promising talent like Chloe Aurard and Jaime Bourbonnais, but like Ottawa, it’s the team’s lack of depth that makes me think they’ll be near the bottom of the standings. The trio of Abby Roque, Alex Carpenter and Elizabeth Giguere will have to outscore New York’s issues.
Who is your early MVP candidate?
Tyler: I’m going to go off the board a little and say Boston’s Loren Gabel. While a lot of players had to move to different markets, Gabel settled into New England after a dominant “rookie season” with the Boston Pride last year. The 2019 Patty Kazmaier winner scored more goals (20), assists (20) and points (40) than anyone in the PHF, earning both league and All-Star Game MVP honors. I believe the one-time Team Canada member will make a big impact in a lineup loaded with national team talent.
Hunter: Oooh I like that choice. Last season with Boston, the game looked slower for her, like it was her league and everyone else was playing in it. But I don’t think I’m shocking anyone when I say Marie-Philip Poulin is my early MVP candidate. She has dominated at every level and will likely produce a ton of points alongside Laura Stacey, Kristin O’Neill, and power play specialist Erin Ambrose. It may seem like the obvious choice, but there’s a reason for it.
Which goaltender is going to be the most impressive?
Tyler: As much as I want to scream Emma Söderberg (Boston), keep an eye on New York’s Corinne Schroeder. She was part of that world-beating Pride team last season, where she lost just once during the regular season, and was named PHF Rookie and Goaltender of the Year.
You look at her resume, the Manitoba native has won 15 or more games whether it was with Boston Univeristy or Quinnipiac, and posted a .930 save percentage in four of her last five seasons.
Hunter: Again, I don’t want to go with the super-obvious choice, but for me, it’s Ann-Renee Desbiens. A stalwart for Canada’s national team, she went 5-0-0 for Team Canada in Beijing 2022 and posted a .935 save percentage in 13 games with the PWHPA last season.
With one of the most pedigrees in the entire sport and a never-satisfied trophy case, I could see her being one of the most valuable players in the league’s inaugural season.
Which college rookie are you excited to see?
Tyler: SARAH FILLIER (sorry, I just had to put my way-too-early 2025 Rookie of the Year nominee in here)
I really like Alina Müller. A lot of the reasons why Switzerland is relevant in the international game is because of her. She is coming off a great career at Northeastern where she was nominated for the Patty Kazmaier in each of her five seasons, and despite her size, is very quick and has shown her ability to adapt to the more physical pro game in camp.
Hunter: It has to be Sophie Jacques! And I’m not just saying that because THE Ohio State University is the greatest school that ever existed, but for a defender to be so dynamic offensively, it will be a treat to watch them this season.
The inaugural season begins on New Year’s Day, as Toronto hosts New York at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Check out Tyler and Hunter’s team previews:
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