PWHL Ottawa Trades Boulier for Czech Forward Vanišová

Ottawa and Montréal swapped a defender and forward in a trade announced Monday evening. The PWHL released a statement just after 6 p.m. that Ottawa would acquire forward Tereza Vanišová from Montréal in exchange for defender Amanda Boulier. According to the league, the trade was filed and approved ahead of the 4 p.m. trade deadline.

Vanišová is the third Czech player to join the Ottawa team coached by Carla MacLeod, who leads the Czech national women’s team. MacLeod knows and likes what a lot of the Czech players bring to the table.

“[Vanišová] is an incredibly exciting, top 6 forward, who is under contract for next season as well. She is one of the best skaters in the world and we are thrilled to add that dimension to our roster," Hirshfeld said in Ottawa's release about the deadline trade.

Ottawa has been trying for weeks to shake up their forwards and promote offence. The team released forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis in a shocking move last month. Ottawa’s forward group is maintaining the scoring pace of the league’s top teams but it is inconsistent. They’ve had multiple four-plus goal wins but five games where they scored just one goal, according to league statistics.

Vanišová should fit nicely somewhere on the third or fourth lines. With Boulier gone, Emma Buckles and Zoe Boyd should both draw into the line-up most nights.

With this trade, Montréal gains a tough and skilled defender. The Quebec team lost right-handed defender Dominika Laśková to injury in February. Replacement Catherine Daoust is a -1 through 18 games compared to Montréal’s other right handed defenders who are all +4, according to the PWHL website.

Montréal is among the top scoring teams in the league, but they allow more goals than any other top three team. Boulier adds needed reinforcement to the blue line.

The Boulier’s contract also gives Montréal added flexibility this offseason. Her one-year deal will expire giving Montréal a spot to do with as they wish. Vanišová is signed until next year, according to the press release.

The team statement said Vanišová will join Ottawa for their game against New York on Wednesday.