PWHL Boston

PWHL ice hockey team in Boston

PWHL Boston

City| Boston, Massachusetts
League| PWHL
Founded| 29 August 2023 (2023-08-29)
Home arena| Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
Colors| Forest green, grey, white

Owner(s)| Mark Walter Group
General manager| Danielle Marmer
Head coach| Courtney Kessel
Captain| Hilary Knight
Website| boston.thepwhl.com
Current season

PWHL Boston[1] is a professional ice hockey team based in Lowell, Massachusetts. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).[2]

## History[edit]

It was revealed on August 29, 2023, that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Boston.[3] Danielle Marmer, a former scout and player development assistant for the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins, was named the team's inaugural general manager.[4][5] On September 15, Boston University women's team associate head coach Courtney Kessel was announced as the team's first head coach.[6]

The team's first three signings during the league's initial free agency period were United States national team players Hilary Knight, Aerin Frankel, and Megan Keller, all signed to three-year deals.[7][8] Boston's first selection in the 2023 PWHL Draft, held on September 18, was Swiss forward Alina Müller, taken third overall.[9]

In November, it was revealed that the team's colors would be green, grey, and white.[10] It was also revealed that the team would host home games at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.[11]

Ahead of the start of the inaugural 2024 season, former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron introduced Knight as Boston's captain; Keller and Jamie Lee Rattray were introduced as assistant captains.[12] The team hosted its inaugural game against Minnesota on January 3, 2024.[13] The team's first ever goal was scored by Theresa Schafzahl, 7:59 into the 2nd period.[14] Minnesota ultimately won the game by a score of 3–2.[15]

On May 29, 2024 PWHL Boston lost the Walter Cup Championship final to PWHL Minnesota.[16]

## Team[edit]

### Current roster[edit]

As of 4 May 2024[17][18][19]
No. | Nat | Player  | Pos | S/G | Age  | Acquired  | Birthplace

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

8 |  | Lexie Adzija | F | L  | 23  | 2024  | St. Thomas, Ontario
55 |  | Kelly Babstock | F | R  | 31  | 2024  | Mississauga, Ontario
20 |  | Hannah Brandt | F | R  | 30  | 2023  | Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
2 |  | Emily Brown | D | L  | 25  | 2023  | Blaine, Minnesota
18 |  | Abby Cook | D | R  | 26  | 2024  | Kelowna, British Columbia
22 |  | Jessica DiGirolamo | D | L  | 25  | 2023  | Mississauga, Ontario
31 |  | Aerin Frankel | G | L  | 25  | 2023  | New York City, New York
13 |  | Kaleigh Fratkin | D | R  | 32  | 2023  | Burnaby, British Columbia
36 |  | Loren Gabel | F | L  | 26  | 2023  | Kitchener, Ontario
17 |  | Taylor Girard | F | L  | 25  | 2023  | Macomb, Michigan
97 |  | Jess Healey | D | L  | 27  | 2023  | Edmonton, Alberta
5 |  | Megan Keller (A) | D | L  | 28  | 2023  | Farmington, Michigan
21 |  | Hilary Knight (C) | F | R  | 34  | 2023  | Palo Alto, California
77 |  | Nicole Kosta | F | R  | 31  | 2023  | Mississauga, Ontario
35 |  | Cami Kronish | G | L  | 24  | 2023  | New York City, New York
19 |  | Gigi Marvin | F | R  | 37  | 2023  | Bemidji, Minnesota
7 |  | Sidney Morin | D | R  | 28  | 2023  | Minnetonka, Minnesota
11 |  | Alina Müller | F | L  | 26  | 2023  | Lengnau, Switzerland
16 |  | Amanda Pelkey | F | R  | 31  | 2023  | Montpelier, Vermont
47 |  | Jamie Lee Rattray (A) | F | L  | 31  | 2023  | Kanata, Ontario
37 |  | Theresa Schafzahl | F | L  | 24  | 2023  | Weiz, Austria
9 |  | Sophie Shirley | F | R  | 24  | 2023  | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
30 |  | Emma Söderberg | G | L  | 26  | 2023  | Ornskoldsvik, Sweden
88 |  | Susanna Tapani | F | L  | 31  | 2024  | Laitila, Finland
12 |  | Taylor Wenczkowski | F | R  | 26  | 2023  | Rochester, New Hampshire

### Reserves[edit]

As of 4 May 2024[17][18][19]
No. | Nat | Player  | Pos | S/G | Age  | Acquired  | Birthplace

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

14 |  | Caitrin Lonergan | F | R  | 26  | 2024  | Roslindale, Massachusetts

## Draft history[edit]

The 2023 PWHL Draft was held on September 18, 2023, and used a "snake draft" format with the selection order reversing after each round.[20] Boston's first pick was at number 3 overall.[21]

2023 PWHL Draft  Rd  | Pick  | Player  | Nationality  | Position  | Previous team

|
|
|
|
|

1  | 3  | Alina Muller |  Switzerland | Forward | Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East)
2  | 10  | Sophie Jaques |  Canada | Defence  | Ohio State Buckeyes (WCHA)
3  | 15  | Jamie Lee Rattray |  Canada | Forward  | Team Harvey's (PWHPA)
4  | 22  | Loren Gabel |  Canada | Forward  | Boston Pride (PHF)
5  | 27  | Hannah Brandt |  United States | Forward  | Team Sonnet (PWHPA)
6  | 34  | Jessica DiGirolamo |  Canada | Defence  | Team Adidas (PWHPA)
7  | 39  | Theresa Schafzahl |  Austria | Forward  | Vermont Catamounts (Hockey East)
8  | 46  | Emily Brown |  United States | Defence  | Team Sonnet (PWHPA)
9  | 51  | Taylor Girard |  United States | Forward  | Connecticut Whale (PHF)
10  | 58  | Emma Soderberg |  Sweden | Goaltender | Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (WCHA)
11  | 63  | Sophie Shirley |  Canada | Forward  | Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA)
12  | 70  | Shiann Darkangelo |  United States | Forward  | Toronto Six (PHF)
13  | 75  | Emma Buckles |  Canada | Defence  | Team Sonnet (PWHPA)
14  | 82  | Tatum Skaggs |  United States | Forward  | Team Scotiabank (PWHPA)
15  | 87  | Jess Healey |  Canada | Defence  | Buffalo Beauts (PHF)

## References[edit]

1. ^ Salvian, Hailey. "How PWHL Boston's 'small but mighty' goalie is fueling their surprising playoff run". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
2. ^ Dachman, Jason (January 30, 2024). "Inside the Whirlwind Launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League's Broadcast Operations". sportsvideo.org. Sports Video Group. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
3. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (August 29, 2023). "Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
4. ^ "PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 1, 2023. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
5. ^ "Danielle Marmer, Bruins scouting assistant, named GM of Boston's PWHL team". WBZ News. CBS Interactive Inc. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
6. ^ "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
7. ^ Kennedy, Ian (September 7, 2023). "Knight, Frankel, Keller Sign With PWHL's Boston". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
8. ^ Healy, Emma (September 7, 2023). "Boston's PWHL team signs Aerin Frankel, Megan Keller, and Hilary Knight to free agent contracts". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
9. ^ Kennedy, Ian (September 18, 2023). "Alina Muller Picked Third Overall By PWHL Boston". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
10. ^ Kennedy, Ian (November 23, 2023). "PWHL Releases Jersey Designs". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
11. ^ Ryan, Conor (January 2, 2024). "Here's everything you need to know about Boston's new professional hockey team". Boston.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
12. ^ Detwiler, Christopher (January 2, 2024). "Bergeron welcomes Hilary Knight as inaugural team captain for PWHL Boston". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
13. ^ Porter, Matt (January 4, 2024). "'This has never been done before': Behind the scenes at the PWHL's triumphant Boston debut". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
14. ^ "No. 1 overall pick Heise leads the way as Minnesota tops Boston in PWHL debut for both teams". CBC Sports. Associated Press. January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
15. ^ Cornetta, Kat (January 4, 2024). "A new team is off and skating, but first game for PWHL Boston doesn't go quite as planned". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
16. ^ Cox, Peter (May 30, 2024). "PWHL Minnesota fans cheer on the team in Boston and at home as they win inaugural Walter Cup". MPR News. St. Paul: Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
17. ^ a b Donkin, Karissa (December 12, 2023). "PWHL teams release final 23-player rosters ahead of Jan. 1 season opener". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved December 28, 2023. "Teams will also carry 3 reserve players for 2024 season"
18. ^ a b "PWHL Boston Roster 2024 Regular Season". ThePWHL.com. Professional Women's Hockey League. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
19. ^ a b "Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Roster Updates". March 19, 2024.
20. ^ Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
21. ^ "PWHL Draft Tracker: Round-by-round recap of all 90 selections". Sportsnet. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Official website

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PWHL Boston

* Founded in 2023–24
* Based in Lowell, Massachusetts

Arenas|

* Tsongas Center (2024–present)

General Managers|

* Danielle Marmer (2023–present)

Head coaches|

* Courtney Kessel (2023–present)

Seasons|

* 2023–24

Leagues|

* Professional Women's Hockey League (2024–present)

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Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)

Teams|

* PWHL Boston
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