PWHL signings: Toronto signs Kali Flanagan, Erica Howe

The PWHL’s Toronto franchise made a pair of signings on Friday, including a former PHF Defender of the Year and an NCAA Championship-winning goaltender.

The GTA-based team signed Kali Flanagan to a two-year deal.

Toronto also signed goaltender Erica Howe to a one-year contract.

Flanagan, 28, spent the last two years with the PHF’s Boston Pride, scoring three goals and 17 assists for 20 points across those two seasons. She was named Defender of the Year lats season, and in 2021-22, she helped the Pride win an Isobel Cup championship.

Flanagan, who Toronto selected in the sixth round of last September’s draft, spent her college career with Boston College, helping the team win back-to-back Hockey East championships in 2016 and 2017. She took a leave for the 2017-18 season so she could train with the U.S. Olympic team, helping them win a gold medal at PyeongChang 2018. When she returned for her senior season, she was named co-captain.

Howe, 31, spent the last four seasons with the PWHPA, and before that, five seasons with the CWHL’s Brampton/Markham Thunder. She made two All-Star games during her CWHL career.

Howe played for Clarkson University between 2010-11 and 2013-14, never posting a save percentage below .927 in her four seasons, including a career-high .941 and 31-5-5 record in her senior year. She helped her team capture the 2014 National Championship.

New York signs D Olivia Zafuto

The New York franchise signed 12th-round pick Olivia Zafuto to a one-year deal deal on Friday. The 26-year-old spent the 2022-23 season with the Pride, scoring five goals and five assists for 10 points in 22 games.

Through four seasons at Colgate University, she scored 33 goals and 71 assists for 104 points in 151 games.

Boston signs F Nicole Kosta

The Boston franchise signed forward Nicole Kosta to a one-year contract. The 30-year-old spent the last four seasons with the PWHPA, two seasons with the CWHL’s Thunder franchise, and one year with the PHF’s Connecticut Whale.

She spent four seasons with Quinnipiac University, scoring 39 goals and 84 assists for 123 points in 137 games.