PWHL Roster Recap: July 2025

Hello, August. Some PWHL teams have really filled out their rosters, while others have left plenty of gaps to sign draft picks and other free agents. With the 2025-26 season set to begin in fall - and the game schedule expected to be released in late summer - there are exciting times ahead as everyone prepares for the season.

From new signings and draft picks to contract extensions and a new head coach, it's been a busy few weeks across the league!

Roster notes are updated through Thursday, July 31, 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!

The Ice GardenMike Murphy

Boston Fleet 

Last month in her roster update, Emma said that the Fleet are having a particularly interesting offseason. I'd say that's continued through the second half of July, as the team (somewhat surprisingly) re-signed forward Loren Gabel.

To clarify, it's not a surprise that the Fleet would choose to extend Gabel's contract, but it's moreso surprising because they hadn't yet announced any extension and it was beginning to seem like it wasn't coming at all. Gabel is entering her third season with the Fleet and had three points in 20 games last season.

The Fleet also extended forward Shay Maloney with a two-year contract through the 2026-27 season. Maloney had nine points in 30 games last season after being drafted by the team 34th overall in 2024.

With the departure of Courtney Kessel to Princeton, the Fleet also filled their vacant head coaching spot, hiring Kris Sparre for the position. Sparre has no experience coaching women and has never served in a head coach role, but has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's San Diego Gulls.

Roster:

Forwards (12): Chloé Aurard, Hannah Brandt, Loren Gabel, Laura Kluge, Shay Maloney, 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 Frost announced three signings in the last few weeks, including inking two of their 2025 draft picks to contracts. Abby Hustler (#14 overall) and Anna Segedi (#22 overall) each signed two-year contracts through the 2026-27 season. They join Kendall Cooper (#6 overall) as three draftees to sign.

Hustler and Segedi will both be coming to the PWHL from St. Lawrence. Hustler was an alternate captain for the last two seasons, while Segedi captained the team this past season. Hustler registered 158 points, including 71 goals, in 154 games. She was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2024.

Segedi had 119 points in 164 collegiate games over five seasons. In the 2021-22 season, she played for the KRS Vanke Rays and went on to represent China at the Olympics and Women's Worlds.

Finally, the Frost finalized their goaltending trio with the addition of Marlène Boissonnault. Boissonnault was added as a reserve player for Minnesota in March, after Lucy Morgan signed with Ottawa. She previously spent time with Victoire but has yet to make her PWHL debut.

Roster: 

Forwards (10): Kendall Coyne Schofield, Britta Curl-Salemme, Claire Butorac, Taylor Heise, Abby Hustler, Klára Hymlárová, Katy Knoll, Kelly Pannek, Anna Segedi, Grace Zumwinkle

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

Goaltenders (3): Marlène Boissonnault, Nicole Hensley, Maddie Rooney 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (3): Ava Rinker (D), Vanessa Upson (F), Brooke Becker (D) 

Montréal Victoire 

In their only move in the second half of July, the Victoire extended forward Alexandra Labelle, signing her to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season.

Montréal has yet to sign any of its draft picks, and the team is particularly short on defenders right now. There are some great pieces signed (see: Erin Ambrose), but there needs to be more depth. Having lost Elaine Chuli, I'd still like to see the Victoire add a third goaltender to support Abstreiter and Desbiens, too.

Roster: 

Forwards (10): Shiann Darkangelo, Catherine Dubois, Alexandra Labelle, Lina Ljungblom, Maureen Murphy, Marie-Philip Poulin, Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, Laura Stacey, Kaitlin Willoughby

Defenders (5): Erin Ambrose, Amanda Boulier, Jessica DiGirolamo, 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 

It was a quiet second half of July for the New York Sirens, who still have a lot of work to do to build a full roster. With no new contracts or re-signings announced, and having actually lost a player in the last few weeks, Pascal Daoust is undoubtedly hard at work trying to fill some gaps.

In case you missed it, the PWHL, the Sirens and forward Noora Tulus mutually agreed to terminate the final year of her contract. The announcement came earlier this month.

Noora Tulus Returns Overseas to Chase Olympic Spot

In an unprecedented move, the PWHL, New York Sirens and forward Noora Tulus mutually agreed to terminate the final year of her contract.

The Ice GardenMelissa Burgess

Looking ahead, the Sirens still only have one goaltender under contract for the upcoming season. The team also has all of its 2025 draft picks to sign, which could include one or two goaltenders depending on the direction the team wants to go. (And there aren't many free agent options available in net.)

There are also still spots both up front and on defense open. I'd like to see some of these draft picks signed, particularly Kaltounková, O'Brien, Cherkowski, and Webster. Those signings would instantly make me feel better about this team going into the season, but as of right now, things just feel sort of sparse - not a great feeling for a team that finished last in each of the first two seasons.

Rosters: 

Forwards (8): Emmy Fecteau, Sarah Fillier, Taylor Girard, Elle Hartje, Paetyn Levis, Savannah Norcross, Kristin O’Neill, 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

After a quiet start to the offseason, the Ottawa Charge have really turned things around. This team is the closest to a complete roster we see in the league right now, with 23 players signed for the upcoming season - hitting the max roster limit. Heading into the end of summer and eventually training camp, the Charge really only have a few slots open for reserve players.

Over the last two weeks, the Charge signed first-round draft pick Rory Guilday to a three-year contract through the 2027-28 season. The team also signed goaltender Sanni Ahola and forwards Fanuza Kadirova and Anna Shokhina and extended forward Mannon McMahon.

Also critically, the Charge signed Gwyneth Philips to an extension that sees the playoff MVP locked up through the 2027-28 season. This marks the first time in franchise history that the Charge have extended a player who was already under contract for the upcoming season.

Gwyneth Philips Signs Two-Year Contract Extension

The Ottawa Charge have locked up Playoff MVP Gwyneth Philips to a two-year contract extension.

The Ice GardenElisha Côté

Roster: 

Forwards (12): Emily Clark, Élizabeth Giguère, Taylor House, Gabbie Hughes, Fanuza Kadirova, Rebecca Leslie, Brianne Jenner, Mannon McMahon, Anna Meizner, Kateřina Mrázová, Anna Shokhina, Sarah Wozniewicz

Defenders (8): Jessica Adolfsson, Emma Bergesen, Rory Guilday, Brooke Hobson, Sam Isbell, Jocelyn Larocque, Stephanie Markowski, Ronja Savolainen  

Goaltenders (3): Sanni Ahola, Logan Angers, Gwyneth Philips

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (1): Peyton Hemp (F)

Toronto Sceptres

It was a quiet few weeks for the Toronto Sceptres. Their lone roster move was a one-year contract extension with defender Anna Kjellbin, whom the team acquired at the trade deadline. Kjellbin had two assists in seven regular season games, then had two points in four playoff games with the Sceptres. She previously played for the Montréal Victoire and was acquired in 1-for-1 trade for Kaitlin Willoughby.

Like other teams mentioned here, the Sceptres still have some shaping to do for their roster. The team hasn't signed any of its 2025 draft picks yet. While their defense is pretty well stocked, there's definitely some space open among forwards. The Sceptres also have room for a third goaltender, with Carly Jackson signing in Seattle.

Rosters: 

Forwards (8): Jessie Compher, Maggie Connors, Clair DeGeorge, Emma Maltais, Blayre Turnbull, Natalie Spooner, Daryl Watts, Emma Woods 

Defenders (8): Renata Fast, Kali Flanagan, Savannah Harmon, Anna Kjellbin, 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

In late July, PWHL Seattle and GM Meghan Turner signed two draft picks, adding to an already stacked roster.

First, Seattle signed forward Jenna Buglioni, the team's eighth overall selection. Buglioni captained Ohio State this past season and registered 42 points in 38 NCAA games. Over five seasons, she averaged nearly a point-per-game, with 166 points - including 96 assists - in 170 games.

Goaltender Hannah Murphy signed after being selected 15th overall by the team in this year's draft. Murphy, 21, joins the team after four seasons at Colgate. Last season, as a captain, she went 26-8-0 with a 1.86 GAA and .939 save percentage. Over her collegiate career, she appeared in 101 games (73-16-1) and had a 1.59 GAA and .937 save percentage.

Both draftees inked two-year contracts.

Roster: 

Forwards (10): Lexie Adzija, Hannah Bilka, Jenna Buglioni, 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 (3): Carly Jackson, Hannah Murphy, Corinne Schroeder 

2025 Draftees Currently Unsigned (4): Lily Delianedis (F), Jada Habisch (F), Lyndie Lobdell (D), Olivia Wallin (F)

PWHL Vancouver

It was a quiet second half of the month for Vancouver. With 18 players signed for the upcoming season, and still five 2025 draft picks unsigned, there's still some room on their roster.

If I were Cara Gardner Morey, among my top priorities would be locking up draftees Nina Jobst-Smith, Michelle Karvinen and Madison Samoskevich. That would fill in the gaps on defense and bolster the offense while leaving a few spots still open.

Of course, the other piece that's missing here is a third goaltender, if they choose to sign one. Kristen Campbell and Emerance Maschmeyer are more than capable and will undoubtedly both compete for the starting spot, but it's never a bad idea to have a third netminder in tow.

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)