PWHL Boston explained
PWHL Boston 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).
History
Founding and inaugural season
On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Boston.[1] [2] This ensured the continuation of professional women's hockey in the area after the folding of the Boston Pride and the Premier Hockey Federation earlier that summer; the Pride had been that league's most successful franchise, winning three Isobel Cup championships.[3] Danielle Marmer, a former scout and player development assistant for the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins, was named PWHL Boston'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 player signings 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, gray, 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 Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron introduced Knight as Boston's captain; Keller and Jamie Lee Rattray were introduced as alternate captains.[12] The team hosted its inaugural game against PWHL 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] Boston's first victory came in a 3–2 overtime decision against PWHL Montreal on January 13.[16] Boston went on to finish third in the league standings, clinching a playoff spot in their final regular season game.[17]
In the first round of the playoffs, Boston faced Montreal. Boston went on to defeat Montreal in three straight games, with all three victories coming in overtime.[18] Boston advanced to the championship series, where they faced Minnesota. Goaltender Aerin Frankel led the playoffs in saves.[19] However, Boston lost a close five-game series, with Minnesota clinching the Walter Cup championship in Lowell on May 29.[20]
Players and personnel
Current roster
[21] [22] [23]
Team captains
Head coaches
First-round draft picks
See main article: List of PWHL Boston draft picks.
Notes and References
- News: Wyshynski . Greg . 2023-08-29 . Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901224830/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38282089/new-professional-women-hockey-league-reveals-six-franchises . 2023-09-01 . 2023-09-05 . . en.
- Web site: Dachman . Jason . 2024-01-30 . Inside the Whirlwind Launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Broadcast Operations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203192639/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/01/30/inside-the-whirlwind-launch-of-the-professional-womens-hockey-leagues-broadcast-operations/ . 2024-02-03 . 2024-05-31 . sportsvideo.org . Sports Video Group . en.
- Web site: Wyshynski . Greg . 2023-06-29 . Sources: Premier Hockey Federation sale could unite women's hockey . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630015545/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37937093/premier-hockey-federation-sale-unite-women-hockey . 2023-06-30 . 2023-06-30 . .
- Web site: 2023-09-01 . PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905132246/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/pwhl-names-six-general-managers-as-teams-begin-roster-construction/ . 2023-09-05 . 2023-09-05 . . Canadian Press.
- Web site: September 4, 2023 . Danielle Marmer, Bruins scouting assistant, named GM of Boston's PWHL team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209205140/https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/danielle-marmer-boston-pwhl-pro-womens-hockey-team-gm/ . 2023-12-09 . September 6, 2023 . WBZ News . CBS Interactive Inc.
- Web site: 2023-09-15 . Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230920000225/https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/ryan-macleod-headline-pwhl-coaches/ . 2023-09-20 . 2023-09-15 . Sportsnet . Canadian Press.
- Web site: Kennedy . Ian . 2023-09-07 . Knight, Frankel, Keller Sign With PWHL's Boston . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119134132/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/knight-frankel-keller-sign-with-pwhls-boston . 2023-11-19 . 2023-09-07 . The Hockey News . Brantford, Ontario.
- News: Healy . Emma . 2023-09-07 . Boston's PWHL team signs Aerin Frankel, Megan Keller, and Hilary Knight to free agent contracts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907190434/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/07/sports/pwhl-boston-signs-aerin-frankel-megan-keller-hilary-knight/ . 2023-09-07 . 2023-09-07 . Boston Globe.
- News: Kennedy . Ian . 2023-09-18 . Alina Muller Picked Third Overall By PWHL Boston . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231103171915/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/alina-muller-picked-third-overall-by-pwhl-boston . 2023-11-03 . 2023-09-19 . The Hockey News.
- News: Kennedy . Ian . 2023-11-23 . PWHL Releases Jersey Designs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114154251/https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/pwhl-releases-jersey-designs . 2023-11-14 . 2023-11-14 . The Hockey News . Brantford, Ontario.
- News: Ryan . Conor . 2024-01-02 . Here's everything you need to know about Boston's new professional hockey team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104014945/https://www.boston.com/sports/sports/2024/01/02/what-to-know-boston-new-hockey-team-pwhl/ . 2024-01-04 . 2024-01-05 . Boston.com.
- News: Detwiler . Christopher . 2024-01-02 . Bergeron welcomes Hilary Knight as inaugural team captain for PWHL Boston . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240103084222/https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/short-shifts/patrice-bergeron-announces-hilary-knight-pwhl-boston-captain . 2024-01-03 . 2024-01-05 . . National Hockey League.
- News: Porter . Matt . 2024-01-04 . 'This has never been done before': Behind the scenes at the PWHL's triumphant Boston debut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105171533/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/04/sports/boston-pwhl-behind-the-scenes/ . 2024-01-05 . 2024-01-05 . Boston Globe.
- Web site: 2024-01-03 . No. 1 overall pick Heise leads the way as Minnesota tops Boston in PWHL debut for both teams . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104071552/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-minnesota-boston-recap-jan-3-1.7073586 . 2024-01-04 . 2024-01-05 . . Associated Press.
- News: Cornetta . Kat . 2024-01-04 . A new team is off and skating, but first game for PWHL Boston doesn't go quite as planned . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105171904/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/03/sports/drop-puck-boston-opens-pwhl-play-much-fanfare-followed-by-loss-minnesota/?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link . 2024-01-05 . 2024-01-05 . Boston Globe.
- News: Rainbird . Daniel . 2024-01-13 . Boston's Pelkey spoils Montreal's PWHL home opener in OT after Poulin's disallowed goal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114015711/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-boston-montreal-recap-jan-13-1.7082885 . 2024-01-14 . 2024-01-14 . CBC Sports . The Canadian Press.
- News: Crowley . Tim . 2024-05-04 . PWHL Boston Wrap: Boston Clinches Playoff Spot In Regular-Season Finale . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240510082959/https://nesn.com/2024/05/pwhl-boston-wrap-boston-clinches-playoff-spot-in-regular-season-finale/ . 2024-05-10 . 2024-06-09 . NESN.
- Web site: 2024-05-15 . Boston knocks Montreal out of playoffs in PWHL semifinal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240515173559/https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/boston-knocks-montreal-out-of-playoffs-in-pwhl-semifinal . 2024-05-15 . 2024-05-15 . Montreal Gazette.
- News: Salvian . Hailey . How PWHL Boston's 'small but mighty' goalie is fueling their surprising playoff run . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521152856/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5508382/2024/05/21/pwhl-playoffs-boston-aerin-frankel/ . 2024-05-21 . 2024-05-21 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
- News: Cox . Peter . 2024-05-30 . PWHL Minnesota fans cheer on the team in Boston and at home as they win inaugural Walter Cup . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240530131110/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/05/29/pwhl-minnesota-fans-in-boston-walter-cup . 2024-05-30 . 2024-05-31 . MPR News . . St. Paul.
- Web site: PWHL teams release final 23-player rosters ahead of Jan. 1 season opener . Donkin . Karissa . December 12, 2023 . cbc.ca . . December 28, 2023 . Teams will also carry 3 reserve players for 2024 season.
- Web site: PWHL Boston Roster 2024 Regular Season . ThePWHL.com . . March 14, 2024.
- Web site: Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Roster Updates . March 19, 2024.