Maltais, Müller, Zumwinkle named finalists for PWHL Rookie of the Year
The first finalists for one of the PWHL awards have been announced.
On Tuesday, the league revealed that Emma Maltais (Toronto), Alina Müller (Boston) and Grace Zumwinkle (Minnesota) are the three players voted as PWHL Rookie of the Year finalists.
These players have showcased outstanding ability in their first season of professional play.
Alina Müller, Emma Maltais and Grace Zumwinkle are the finalists for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award! 👏
📰 https://t.co/p1tHEiIDon pic.twitter.com/RP3fPJwrHO
Due to the league being in its first season, the league had to set guidelines for players to be perceived as rookies. Players under the age of 25, and were playing in their first season in North America, were eligible to win the award.
Maltais was quietly one of the best playmakers on Toronto’s roster. On a team filled with superstar talent like Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse, and Renata Fast, the second-round pick produced just a little below a point-per-game pace. The former Ohio State star scored four goals and 15 assists, playing in all 24 regular-season games, finishing third on the team in scoring. Maltais also scored the league’s first jailbreak goal against New York on Jan. 7.
Müller came into the league with a lot of hype after an outstanding collegiate career at Northeastern, as well as leading the resurgence of women’s hockey in Switzerland. The third-overall pick in last year’s draft. On a team strapped for offense, the now-26-year-old was one of the most consistent forwards for Boston. With five goals and 11 assists, Müller’s 16 points led the team, and was 14th in the league in scoring.
Zumwinkle began her rookie campaign with a bang, notching four goals in the first two games, including recording the PWHL’s first hat trick on Jan. 6 against Montreal. The former Minnesota standout might not have scored at a two-goal-per-game pace for the entire season, but she, too, was a youngster helping out her team’s struggling offense. Her 11 goals were tied for second in the league with Nurse, leading Minnesota in scoring in the process.
Zumwinkle and Maltais finished tied for the most points by a rookie this season (19), and seventh in league scoring.
Winners of the PWHL Awards will be announced in June.