PWHL Boston re-sign Hannah Brandt, Emily Brown, and Sophie Shirley to two-year contracts

PWHL Boston re-sign Hannah Brandt, Emily Brown, and Sophie Shirley to two-year contracts
Credit: PWHL

The inaugural runners-up have locked down a handful of players for the foreseeable future.

On Thursday, PWHL Boston announced they had re-signed forwards Hannah Brandt and Sophie Shirley, as well as defender Emily Brown, to two-year contracts. The team also revealed that defender Sidney Morin has been signed a one-year extension through the 2024-25 season.

Brandt was one of the notable veterans added to the team, being well-known for her experience with the U.S. National Team. She was originally taken in the fifth round of the first PWHL Draft last year and provided leadership to a team with some notably young talent. In 24 regular season games, the Minnesota native scored five goals and 10 points, putting up two points in Boston’s run to the PWHL Final, ultimately losing to Minnesota in five games.

“Hannah is a player with a wealth of experience playing at the highest levels,” General manager Danielle Marmer said in a release. “Her elite hockey sense and her leadership on and off the ice make her an invaluable member of our group. We look forward to her contributing significantly to our team’s success.” 

Shirley was a solid depth piece for Boston during her rookie season. The 11th-round pick out of Wisconsin also had past experience on the international stage, playing for Canada in back-to-back IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Champions in 2016 and 2017. With Boston, the Saskatoon native scored three goals and five points in 20 regular-season games, scoring a goal and an assist in the playoffs.

“I’m so excited to be shipping up to Boston for the next two years,” Shirley said. “It was an honor to play in Boston for the inaugural season of the PWHL, and I can’t wait to continue to work towards a championship.” 

Brown proved to be a capable asset on the blue line for the New England team. Another Minnesota native came into the league after playing in the PWHPA Dream Gap Tour in 2022-23, following a five-year career at the University of Minnesota. The eighth-round pick posted four points in 24 regular-season games, adding two assists in the postseason.

“Emily is a steady and reliable presence on D and brings a hard-to-play-against style,” Marmer said. “She is a key member of our D-core and we’re excited to see her continue to raise her game.” 

Morin was another pro veteran heading into the inaugural season, having played with the Minnesota Whitecaps of the Premier Hockey Federation, and five years in Europe, before being picked up by Boston after being placed on waivers by PWHL Minnesota. The Minnetonka native scored a goal and three assists in the regular season, also posting a pair of helpers in the playoffs.

“I am super excited to be staying in Boston for another year and to be part of this group and city,” Morin said. “It is a special locker room full of talented players and I feel privileged to be able to play alongside them again this fall.” 

Boston now has 15 players signed on for the 2024-25 campaign, and eight through the 2025-26 season.

PWHL Free Agency opens on Friday, June 21.

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