Poulin, Fillier, Fast highlight 2025 PWHL Award winners

On Wednesday afternoon in the nation’s capital, the Professional Women’s Hockey League celebrated the best performers during the 2024-25 season with the annual PWHL Awards.

From dominant offensive and defensive performances to breakout seasons, check out who walked away from Ottawa with some hardware.

Billie Jean King MVP Award

Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal Victoire)

Finalists: Renata Fast (TOR), Hilary Knight (BOS)

The GOAT strikes again. While she didn’t lead the league in points, Poulin was far and away the most valuable player for a Victoire team that was pretty top-heavy on the offensive side of things this season. She and her partner, Laura Stacey, were the only members of the team to hit the 20-point mark this year, with Poulin earning the Top Goal Scorer Award, leading the PWHL with 19 goals on the campaign.

Forward of the Year

Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal Victoire)

Finalists: Sarah Fillier (NY), Hilary Knight (BOS)

Just like what Natalie Spooner did last year, Poulin has been named PWHL MVP, the league’s best forward and the IIHF Female Player of the Year. It truly was an incredible season for Captain Canada, who led the Victoire to a first-place finish in the PWHL. Did I forget to mention she was named the MVP of the IIHF Women’s World Championship?

Defender of the Year

Renata Fast (Toronto Sceptres)

Finalists: Sophie Jaques (MIN), Claire Thompson (MIN)

Who would’ve thunk it? Fast was one of the most dynamic players in the league all season long, proving how important she was for the Sceptres at both ends of the rink. Even when Toronto was going through its early-season struggles, the veteran blueliner still found a way to product. She finished tied with Minnesota Frost defender Sophie Jaques for the most points by a blueliner this year, each scoring 22 points.

Goaltender of the Year

Ann-Renée Desbiens (Montreal Victoire)

Finalists: Aerin Frankel (BOS), Gwyneth Philips (OTT)

I personally would’ve gone with Frankel, but I guess it makes sense that, even though Frankel played at an MVP-level, it wasn’t enough to make it to the postseason. Regardless, Desbiens was fantastic all season long for Montreal. She led the league in wins (15), goals-against average (1.86), and save percentage (.932) among qualified goaltenders, helping the Victoire finish first in the PWHL.

Rookie of the Year

Sarah Fillier (New York Sirens)

Finalists: Jenn Gardiner (MTL), Gwyneth Philips (OTT)

Probably the biggest landslide victory of the season for the awards, right? Fillier wasted no time in proving that she’s going to be a force in this league for years to come. Playing alongside Alex Carpenter, Fillier produced at an incredible rate, even though the team around her wasn’t all that good. Fillier earned a share of the PWHL Points Leader Award with former Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight with 29 points apiece.

Coach of the Year

Kori Cheverie (Montreal Victoire)

Finalists: Carla MacLeod (OTT), Troy Ryan (TOR)

Not a surprising pick here, either. The Victoire were considerably the most consistent team during the regular season, clinching the regular-season title for the first time in franchise history, beating out the Toronto Sceptres by five points. Cheverie was the conductor to keep the team featuring stars like Poulin, Stacey and Desbiens ahead of pack all season long.

Hockey for All Award

Laura Stacey (Montreal Victoire)

The Victoire forward becomes the second recipient of the award that is given to the player who makes an exceptional impact in her community. With the award, Scotiabank will make a donation to a Canadian charity of Stacey’s choosing.

First All-Star Team

F – Hilary Knight – Boston
F – Sarah Fillier – New York
F – Marie-Philip Poulin – Montreal
D – Sophie Jaques – Minnesota
D – Renata Fast – Toronto
G – Ann-Renée Desbiens – Montreal

Second All-Star Team

F – Daryl Watts – Toronto
F – Tereza Vanišová – Ottawa
F – Kendall Coyne Schofield – Minnesota
D – Claire Thompson – Minnesota
D – Ella Shelton – New York
G – Aerin Frankel – Boston

All-Rookie Team

F- Britta Curl-Salemme – Minnesota
F- Sarah Fillier – New York
F – Jenn Gardiner – Montreal
D – Anna Wilgren – Montreal
D – Cayla Barnes – Montreal
G – Gwyneth Philips – Ottawa

Impact Award Winners

One player from each team is recognized for their integrity, leadership, and commitment to their teammates

Jamie Lee Rattray – Boston
Nicole Hensley – Minnesota
Amanda Boulier – Montreal
Emmy Fecteau – New York
Rebecca Leslie – Ottawa
Allie Munroe – Toronto

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