PWHL Off-Season 2025: Mid-July Roster Update

Free Agency in the PWHL has been open for a few weeks now, and as the chaos of expansion wound to a close, the insanity of movement on the Free Agent market only got more intense. 

Unsure where some of your favorite players are? Honestly, so was I before today. Let’s get into where everyone’s ended up so far as we approach the mid-way mark of July. 

Roster notes are updated through noon on Monday, July 14th, 2025. Further movement in the league is not reflected in this piece. Be sure to check out our updated PWHL Signings Tracker for more information. 

2025-26 PWHL Signing Tracker

Keep up with all the PWHL signings in our signing tracker!

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Boston Fleet 

The Fleet are having a particularly interesting off season, and not just because head coach Courtney Kessel has departed the franchise after two seasons for a new job at Princeton. Seven players from last season remain under the same contract, and the Fleet have already come to terms with six new faces heading into next year. 

While Aerin Frankel remains the fixture in net, behind her will be two different netminders, as Emma Söderberg and Klára Peslarová both return to Europe for 2025-26. The team picked up Abbey Levy in free agency on a one-year deal after she spent two seasons in New York. Looking to fill the third spot are two players; 2025 draft selection Amanda Thiele who remains unsigned, and USports netminder Kaitlyn Ross who was invited to training camp. 

Other free agency additions include Liz Schepers, who signed a two-year deal on June 18th after spending her first two seasons with Minnesota. Schepers has scored the game-winners in both of the Walter Cup final wins for Minnesota, including one on Boston’s home ice back in 2024. 

Defenders Zoe Boyd, and Rylind MacKinnon, along with forwards Laura Kluge, and Chloé Aurard all signed one-year deals as well. 

Re-signing Susanna Tapani (one-year) was critical for the Fleet, and their success in doing so I believe is the biggest win thus far, especially with Hilary Knight going to Seattle in expansion movement. Forwards Jill Saulnier, and Theresa Schafzahl, and defender Hadley Hartmetz have also re-signed with the Fleet, with all three set to return to Boston for 2025-26. The team has yet to sign any of their 2025 draftees. 

It’ll definitely be an adjustment for Boston, especially as their coaching vacancy is still open, however if these pieces all gel together the way they appear they might, the Fleet have a chance to improve upon their 2024-25 season finish. 

Roster:

Forwards (10): Chloé Aurard, Hannah Brandt, Laura Kluge, Alina Müller, Jamie Lee Rattray, Jill Saulnier, Theresa Schafzahl, Liz Schepers, Sophie Shirley, Susanna Tapani

Defenders (5): Zoe Boyd, Hadley Hartmetz, Megan Keller, Rylind MacKinnon, Daniela Pejšová 

Goaltenders (2): Aerin Frankel, Abbey Levy

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (6): Haley Winn (D), Ella Huber (F), Olivia Mobley (F), Riley Brengman (D), Abby Newhook (F), Amanda Thiele (G)

Minnesota Frost 

The back-t0-back Walter Cup champions have seen some big names depart this season, but have managed to keep portions of their team intact, with eight players on their same contracts from last season. 

Free agent wise however, Minnesota has been nearly silent, with Sidney Morin being their lone pick up thus far. The defender signed a two-year deal on June 20th, after spending two seasons in Boston. 

Additionally, there’s been more departures for Minnesota than almost anyone in the league. They currently have the fewest number of players under contract, at just 15 altogether: eight forwards, five defenders, and two goaltenders. 

Natalie Buchbinder was their first player to re-sign back on June 16th, with the defender agreeing to a two-year contract. Fellow defender Mae Batherson also re-signed for two years, while forwards Katy Knoll and Claire Butorac signed for another season. 

Their longest deal they’ve agreed to thus far has been with Maddie Rooney, who signed a three-year contract on June 17th. The netminder was solid for Minnesota last season, with a .907 save percentage and a 8-7-1 record. In the playoffs she went a perfect 5-0, and bumped her SV% up to a .932 across those starts. 

Though they signed 2025 sixth overall pick Kendall Cooper (two-years) already, there are still more questions than answers remaining for Minnesota.

What I’m looking for them to address first is their scoring, with so many offensive weapons leaving  in one offseason in free agency and expansion. Some of those might be replaced by their draft class, or from increased roles for some of their remaining forwards. However, to me it appears it’s gonna take some time for them to truly figure out a new system. 

They’ve won two cups in a row though, so I’m incredibly prepared to be incorrect as soon as they hit the ice. 

Roster: 

Forwards (8): Kendall Coyne Schofield, Britta Curl-Salemme, Claire Butorac, Taylor Heise, Klára Hymlárová, Katy Knoll, Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle

Defenders (5): Mae Batherson, Natalie Buchbinder, Kendall Cooper, Sidney Morin, Lee Stecklein

Goaltenders (2): Nicole Hensley, Maddie Rooney 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (5): Abby Hustler (F), Anna Segedi (F), Ava Rinker (D), Vanessa Upson (F), Brooke Becker (D) 

Montréal Victoire 

The Victoire are another group that kept large chunks of their roster together this offseason, including their most important pieces. Seven players are carrying over from last year to 2025-26 on the same deal, including four forwards, two defenders, and one goaltender. 

Four of those players just so happen to be Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose, and Ann-Renée Desbiens. You know, the small names. 

The team has extended a further four players from last year. Defender Kati Tabin signed a two-year extension on June 16th, the first contract Montréal handed out this offseason. Forward Catherine Dubois (one-year) along with goaltender Sandra Abstreiter (one-year) signed soon after that same week, while forward Kaitlin Willoughby signed her extension for one-year on July 8th. 

Free agent wise the Victoire brought in some pretty big names, with forwards Shiann Darkangelo and Hayley Scamurra signing two-year deals on June 17th. Jessica DiGirolamo also signed a two-year deal, as the defender makes the move from Boston to Montréal. Joining her on the blue line will be Maggie Flaherty, who inked a one-year contract after spending two seasons with Minnesota. 

What will be particularly interesting for the Victoire is how they’re able to replace the scoring they’ve lost in the expansion draft. Jenn Gardiner, Abby Boreen, and Cayla Barnes are all no longer on the team, and combined for 45 points on the high-scoring Victoire roster in 2024-25. 

Darkangelo should alleviate some of those concerns, after she’s coming off a 17 point season, plus their draft night trade could be an important piece of the puzzle as well. Gaining Abby Roque from New York is an intriguing move, as she’s also coming off a 17 point season, this one with the Sirens. Roque plays with an edge, though her penalty minutes dropped from 31 in her first PWHL season, to just six in her second. If she’s able to keep that under control again and produce in the same way, it should pay off in some ways for Montréal. 

Roster: 

Forwards (9): Shiann Darkangelo, Catherine Dubois, Lina Ljungblom, Maureen Murphy, Marie-Philip Poulin, Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, Laura Stacey, Kaitlin Willoughby

Defenders (5): Erin Ambrose, Amanda Boulier, Jessica Digiorlamo, Maggie Flaherty, Kati Tabin

Goaltenders (2): Sandra Abstreiter, Ann-Renée Desbiens

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (5): Nicole Gosling (D), Natálie Mlýnková (F), Skylar Irving (F), Maya Labad (F), Tamara Giaquinto (D)

New York Sirens 

The Sirens were a team that scored this season, yes, but they aren’t a team that’s won very much over the last two seasons. Plus, they also lost two of their top three scorers in expansion, before trading two of the others in their top five. 

If there’s one positive for New York, however, it’s that they had one of the best drafts out of any of the teams this season. And not just because they made nine selections in the six round draft, but mainly because of the talent they’ve acquired. 

Drafting both Kristýna Kaltounková and Casey O’Brien will be incredible for their offense if the two players can adapt quickly, which I believe will happen. Plus, the rest of their draft class is very deep, which bodes well for the future of the franchise altogether depending on the players development. 

Following the draft, a lot of the other moves New York made in June and July make a lot of sense. They brought in Kristin O’Neill as part of the return for Roque, who should provide leadership and has had scoring success in the past. Then, in free agency the Sirens signed forward Savannah Norcross and defender Jincy Roese to one-year deals, the latter of whom I envision making an immediate impact — which is critical after the trade of Ella Shelton. 

Otherwise it’s been mainly contract extensions for New York, as they signed five more returning players over the off-season. Forward Taylor Girard was first, followed by fellow forward Kayla Vespa, and defenders Lauren Bernard and Allyson Simpson. All four signed for an additional year. 

The biggest move of all, was the two-year extension for 2024 No. 1 overall pick Sarah Fillier signed on July 10th. After putting up 29 points to lead the team as a rookie, the forward opted to sign to sign for an additional two seasons to remain under team control until 2027. It is reported to be the highest contract in PWHL history thus far, which isn’t surprising considering the caliber of player Fillier is. 

There are still pretty major question marks however, and that’s in the goaltender role. I like Kayle Osborne, and think she was very solid as a rookie this past year. However,  behind her right now is… no one under contract. Yes New York took two goaltenders in the draft this year, but three young netminders is a bit concerning on paper. 

It’s a decent amount of young players everywhere you look in NY, which could be really entertaining, but could also lead to a lot of growing pains. Guess we’ll have to see. 

Rosters: 

Forwards (9): Emmy Fecteau, Sarah Fillier, Taylor Girard, Elle Hartje, Paetyn Levis, Savannah Norcross, Kristin O’Neill, Noora Tulus, Kayla Vespa

Defenders (6): Lauren Bernard, Jaime Bourbonnais, Maja Nylén Persson, Jincy Roese, Allyson Simpson, Micah Zandee-Hart

Goaltenders (1): Kayle Osborne 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (9): Kristýna Kaltounková (F), Casey O’Brien (F), Anne Cherkowski (F), Makenna Webster (F), Dayle Ross (D), Maddi Wheeler (F), Callie Shanahan (G), Anna Bargman (F), Kaley Doyle (G)

Ottawa Charge

I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what Ottawa was doing. After staying quiet through the first few days of free agency, the Charge announced a slew of contract extensions, and are now fairly well rounded in certain areas. 

Rolling over from last year to next year are seven players, and Ottawa has extended an additional seven since the conclusion of the Walter Cup. These extended players are forwards Taylor House, Rebecca Leslie, and Anna Meixner, defenders Jessica Adolfsson, Sam Isbell, and Stephanie Markowski, and goaltender Logan Angers. Outside of Leslie — who signed for two years — all of the contracts are for a single season. 

The names Ottawa is bringing in from free agency are also strong pieces. Their first signing was Élizabeth Giguère, who put up eight points over two seasons with New York before signing a one-year deal in Ottawa on June 19th. She reunites with former linemate Gabbie Hughes — the pair played together at the University of Minnesota-Duluth for one season in 2021-22. 

Defender Brooke Hobson follows Giguére from New York to Ottawa, as she signed a one-year deal on June 20th with the franchise. Emma Bergesen will join Hobson on the blue line on a one-year deal as well — born in Stavanger, Norway, Bergesen became the first player from her home country to sign in the PWHL. 

Defensively however, the Charge have a log jam, and I'd be surprised if they don’t look to move a defender to bring in another forward. With first-round pick Rory Guilday waiting in the wings, someone’s going to have to move from this blue line in order to make the roster work. 

The team has signed forward Sarah Wozniewicz, who was drafted 21st overall in 2025, to a one-year deal, and have invited goaltender Kendra Woodland (University of New Brunswick) to their training camp.

They’ll both look to make the opening night lineup, though Woodland has a bit more competition to do so from 2025 draftee Sanni Ahola who Ottawa signed Monday morning. The team also announced the signings of forwards Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova out of Russia, the first players from the country in the PWHL so far.

Roster: 

Forwards (9): Emily Clark, Élizabeth Giguére, Taylor House, Gabbie Hughes, Rebecca Leslie, Brianne Jenner, Anna Meizner, Kateřina Mrázová, Sarah Wozniewicz

Defenders (7): Jessica Adolfsson, Emma Bergesen, Brooke Hobson, Sam Isbell, Jocelyn Larocque, Stephanie Markowski, Ronja Salvolainen  

Goaltenders (2): Logan Angers, Gwyneth Philips

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (5): Rory Guilday (D), Peyton Hemp (F)

Toronto Sceptres

Thirteen members of Toronto’s roster from last season are expected to return to the Sceptres for 2025-26, with five players (four forwards, one defender) re-upping their contracts.

Of the names on that list are some of the most important pieces for the team. This includes lights-out forward Natalie Spooner, forward Jesse Compher, — both of whom are under control for an additional two seasons — forward Maggie Connors (one-year), defender Kali Flanagan (one-year), and former reserve player Jessica Kondas (defender, one-year). 

Compared to some of the other teams in the league, Toronto was neither the least or most active when it came to free agency signings. The best addition I’d argue was goaltender Elaine Chuli, who Toronto added on a one-year deal on June 17th. Following the signing of Chuli, the Sceptres opted to move former starter Kristen Campbell to Vancouver. 

The team also went out and signed Claire Dalton (one years), who had three goals and nine points on the Montréal blue line last season. The last signing they’ve made as of now was Clair DeGeorge, who inked a one-year deal back on June 23rd. 

That wasn’t the most recent move the Sceptres have made however — that would be the addition of defender Ella Shelton thanks to a draft day trade made with New York. Shelton was instrumental with the Sirens, combining for 37 points in 48 games across two seasons. Adding her to a lineup that already includes Renata Fast is critical, especially after losing a lot of offensive weapons already this summer. How she's able to rebound from two torn MCLs — yes, two — is yet to be seen, but once she's fully healthy she's a force.

And honestly she's a force when she isn't fully healthy, too.

I do have questions about what the overall plan offensively is for Toronto, and honestly defensively as well. They won’t have the same scoring power, especially with the losses of Sarah Nurse, and Hannah Miller, but they retained a lot of other highly talented names, and have added even a few more to boot. 

Rosters: 

Forwards (9): Jessie Compher, Maggie Connors, Clair DeGeorge, Emma Maltais, Blayre Turnbull, Natalie Spooner, Daryl Watts, Emma Woods 

Defenders (6): Renata Fast, Kali Flanagan, Savannah Harmon, Jessica Kondas, Allie Munroe, Ella Shelton, Claire Dalton,

Goaltenders (2): Elaine Chuli, Raygan Kirk 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (5): Emma Gentry (F), Kiara Zanon (F), Clara Van Wieren (F), Sara Hjalmarsson (F), Hanna Baskin (D)

PWHL Seattle

No one said building a team from the ground up is easy. But if there’s any two teams that are doing it well, it’s the last two on this list. 

If you’re looking for a more in-depth breakdown of the names Seattle picked up before free agency opened, TIG’s very own LJ Bachenheimer has you covered. Long story short, the Seattle franchise did pretty well in the expansion windows. 

Then, in free agency, they continued to build their roster up well. First Seattle added defender Mariah Keopple, who spent two seasons in Montréal, on a one-year deal. Then, to add to their forward mix, Seattle went out to sign Lexie Adzija (two-years), Natalie Snodgrass (one-year), and Mikyla Grant-Mentis (two-years). Then finally Carly Jackson also moved out to Seattle from Toronto, taking their talents in net for at least one-year to Washington state. 

Overall this team is in a very solid state. The forward group is already stacked even with none of their 2025 draftees signed as of yet, and their defensive unit seems pretty locked down as of the beginning of July. Sure, there’s always concerns about a brand new team hitting the ice at first. But considering who the 17 players they have signed and the other six waiting out of the draft are, I believe Seattle is in a solid spot heading into year one.

You know what they say — talent speaks for itself. And Seattle has it in spades. 

Roster: 

Forwards (9): Lexie Adzija, Hannah Bilka, Alex Carpenter, Jessie Eldridge, Julia Gosling, Mikayla Grant-Mentis, Hilary Knight, Danielle Serdachny, Natalie Snodgrass 

Defenders (6): Cayla Barnes, Emily Brown, Megan Carter, Mariah Keopple, Aneta Tejralová, Anna Wilgren

Goaltenders (2): Carly Jackson, Corinne Schroeder 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (6): Jenna Buglioni (F), Hannah Murphy (G), Lily Delianedis (F), Jada Habisch (F), Lyndie Lobdell (D), Olivia Wallin (F)

PWHL Vancouver

Just like Seattle above, Vancouver also went out in the expansion window and locked a lot of names down to join them in British Columbia. And then followed it up with a pretty successful free agency window too. For more on the expansion and draft cycle, Maya Smith has more on our site. 

After their trade-day draft for Kristen Campbell, the franchise out of Vancouver has been quiet on the goaltending front, but went out and added three more forwards and two more defenders in free agency. 

Their first signing was Hannah Miller, who was absolutely outstanding in Toronto the last two seasons with a combined 38 points in 52 games. The forward inked a three-year deal, the only such contract Vancouver gave out to a free agent thus far. 

Michela Cava and Tereza Vanišová, the other two forward pickups for Vancouver, both signed two-year deals the next day on June 17th. The following day, defenders Emma Greco and Mellissa Channell-Watkins both signed in BC on two-year, and one-year deals respectively. 

While there are still some question marks for Vancouver, they are tied with Ottawa for having the most players signed going into next season with 18 under contract. Unlike the Charge however, none of these players include the names they drafted this season, all who remained unsigned — and all who bring a plethora of talent to the table. 

Roster: 

Forwards (10): Abigail Boreen, Michela Cava, Izzy Daniel, Jennifer Gardiner, Denisa Křižová, Brooke McQuigge, Hannah Miller, Sarah Nurse, Gabby Rosenthal, Tereza Vanišová 

Defenders (6): Sydney Bard, Ashton Bell, Mellissa Channell-Watkins, Emma Greco, Sophie Jaques, Claire Thompson 

Goaltenders (2): Kristen Campbell, Emerance Maschmeyer

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (5): Michelle Karvinen (F), Nina Jobst-Smith (D), Brianna Brooks (F), Madison Samoskevich (D), Chanreet Bassi (F)