Fast, Jaques, Thompson named finalists for PWHL Defender of the Year
Three of the most dynamic players in the PWHL are up for some individual hardware.
On Thursday, the league announced that Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres, and Minnesota Frost teammates Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson, are the finalists for PWHL Defender of the Year.
Fast has arguably been the Sceptres’ most valuable player this season. When the team was going through some early-season struggles, the Burlington, Ontario native continued to produce at both ends of the rink. She started the season on a six-game point streak and ended up finishing third on the team in scoring with 22 points in 30 regular-season games.
RENATA FAST CALLS GAME! 😲
In an epic finish, her goal secures the @PWHL_Toronto's first overtime victory this season! pic.twitter.com/r0VdIvHLwW
Fast ended up tied for the league lead in points by a defender.
The player she finished tied with was Jaques. The first-ever blueliner to win the Patty Kazmaier Award, the former Ohio State star has been one of the most versatile players in the league since coming to Minnesota last year. She might have missed five games this year due to injury, but that hasn’t stopped Jaques from being an important player.
PWHL
End of 2
Minnesota > Boston (5 – 0)
MIN: Curl-Salemme (x2), Stecklein, Coyne-Schofield, Jaques
SOG: 18 – 16 (BOS)
Sophie Jaques adds the fourth goal for the Frost pic.twitter.com/tpSTrsD0lC
The 24-year-old finished tied with Taylor Heise for second on the Frost in scoring this season, more than doubling her point total from her rookie year. Jaques also finished tied for fourth in the league in plus/minus with a +12 rating.
Thompson might have taken a year off from hockey to continue her education, but she showed little rust in her return to action. The Canadian National Team star quickly established herself as one of the best players on the Minnesota roster. With four goals and 14 assists in 30 games, the Toronto native finished third behind Fast and Jaques in defensive scoring.
PWHL
End of 2
Minnesota > Boston (5 – 0)
MIN: Curl-Salemme (x2), Stecklein, Coyne-Schofield, Jaques
SOG: 18 – 16 (BOS)
Sophie Jaques adds the fourth goal for the Frost pic.twitter.com/tpSTrsD0lC
She might have cooled off after scoring 10 points in the first seven games of the season, but there’s no question Thompson is a force for the Frost.
The three players will meet in Game 4 of the PWHL Semifinals on Wednesday night, with Minnesota looking to eliminate Toronto.
The 2025 PWHL Awards will be announced on June 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa.