2025-26 PWHL storylines and athletes to watch
The biggest question this season is whether anyone can take the Walter Cup away from the Minnesota Monarch.
They have won the title in both PWHL seasons to date, and under captaincy Kendall Coyne Schofieldplus Olympic goaltenders Maddie Rooney And Nicole Hensleythey remain the standard everyone strives for, even after losing key defenders Claire Thompson And Sophie Jacques in the expansion process.
How quickly Minnesota can redesign its blueline, and whether a three-peat is possible in a deeper league, will be one of the defining storylines of the season.
The most immediate challengers could well come from the new West Coast teams. Vancouver has laid a strong foundation for an expansive side, headlined by Canadian internationals Thompson, Jaques, and Sara nurseplus three-time Olympic medalist Finnish forward Michelle Karvinen and a formidable goalkeeper tandem Emerance Maschmeyer And Kristen Campbell.
South of the border, Seattle has handed over the border captain of the Olympic legend Hilary Knight and surrounded her with top scorers such as Alex Timmerman And Cayla Barnestogether with goalkeeper Corinne Schroeder. As their rookies, including forward Jenna Buglioniquickly adapt, the new Torrent could do that hast just in time.
Elsewhere, Ottawa will look to parlay last season’s underdog playoff run into continued success behind the breakout goaltender Gwyneth Phillips and tough Brianne Jenner And Jocelyne Larocqueas Montreal once again leans on the star power of a three-time Olympic champion Marie-Philip Poulin And Ann Renee Desbiens after a regular season that set the pace but ultimately fell short in the playoffs.
New York’s Sirens were reshaped around the first overall draft pick Kristina Kaltounkova of the Czech Republic and birthplace ahead Casey O’Brienwhile a Boston Fleet was led by a goaltender Aerin Frankel and Swiss center Alina Mullercomplete a competition in which each team believes they have what it takes to lift the Walter Cup.
One thing is certain: with so many changes in the competition and the Winter Olympics on the horizon, the team that settles down the quickest and maintains its focus will give itself the best chance.
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