2021-22 PHF Opening Weekend Primer
Published on November 6, 2021 under Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
(Brooklyn, N.Y) - Welcome to opening weekend of the 2021-22 Premier Hockey Federation season.
Here's a closer look at the action that features all six teams launching a new era of professional women's hockey, plus a thorough review of all organizations and the players beginning their quest for the Isobel Cup.
The puck drops on the first three matchups of the 60-game PHF regular season schedule this afternoon and evening, with two more on tap for Sunday. All of the games stream live on ESPN+ for fans in the United States, with international coverage available on ESPN affiliates and at twitch.tv/thePHF.
Saturday November 6, 2021:
2:00 PM ET - Connecticut Whale vs Metropolitan Riveters
(ESPN+, ESPN International & TSN Direct)
It's been 284 days since the Riveters last meaningful game, a longer wait than any other team in the PHF, but #Rivenge is a dish best served cold. Franchise figure Madison Packer leads the charge in her seventh straight season but will be tested by the Whale's next generation as first overall pick Taylor Girard makes her PHF debut. It's also a homecoming for new Whale defender Rebecca Morse who spent five seasons with the Rivs, plus her teammate Cailey Hutchison who joined Connecticut via free agency. Conversely, the Riveters acquired a pair of former Whale during the offseason including goaltender Brooke Wolejko and defender Rachael Ade which could make for some interesting action between the whistles. Theresa Knutson scored the game-winner for the Riveters in a 4-3 decision on January 24 the last time these two teams met.
7:00 PM ET - Minnesota Whitecaps vs Boston Pride
(ESPN+, Twitch International)
The on ice story that ended the 2020 and 2021 seasons is exactly where the new era begins. Minnesota and Boston are the two most experienced teams in the PHF and play the first of four head-to-head November matchups on opening day. The Pride return 14 players from their 2021 championship squad including top scorer Christina Putigna, defender of the year Kaleigh Fratkin, and playoff MVP Jillian Dempsey who is one goal away from becoming the first PHF player to score 50 in her career. She's also on track to play her 100th game on Sunday, also a league record. Lexie Laing and Taylor Turnquist return to Warrior Arena as visitors, signing free agent contracts in Minnesota after their championship season. 16 Whitecaps from the 2021 season are back on board including Audra Morrison who had five points, Allie Thunstrom who scored four goals and Jonna Curtis who collected four assists in two playoff games the last time they were in town. The Isobel Cup isn't on the line this time but it's never too soon to make a statement.
7:00 PM ET - Toronto Six vs Buffalo Beauts
(ESPN+, ESPN International & TSN Direct)
An international rivalry in the making writes a new chapter as the Toronto Six cross the border into Buffalo with a single battle against the Beauts. PHF MVP Mikyla Grant-Mentis had 11 points in seven total games last season but won't catch anyone by surprise this time around. Especially not the Beauts, given the Merrimack College star signed a short term contract in Buffalo after graduation and registered five points in three total games in 2020. Six captain Shiann Darkangelo also faces off against the team she won a 2017 Isobel Cup with. There's plenty of fresh faces for the home fans to get to know as the Beauts introduce 13 new players this season. 10 of them are PHF rookies including six who were selected as part of 2021 drafts like second overall pick Emilie Harley on defense and top international talent Lovisa Berndtsson in goal. The PHF's two rookie coaches go head-to-head in the opener with Rhea Coad for the Beauts, and Mark Joslin for the Six who will officially become the first Black head coach to stand behind the bench in PHF history.
Sunday November 7, 2021:
1:00 PM ET - Minnesota Whitecaps vs Boston Pride
(ESPN+, Twitch International)
2:00 PM ET - Connecticut Whale vs Metropolitan Riveters
(ESPN+, ESPN International & TSN Direct)
Roster Rundown:
A total of 127 athletes have signed contracts for the 2021-22 PHF season. By team, Minnesota has commitments from 24 players, followed by Buffalo with 22, Connecticut and Toronto each with 21, Boston with 20, and Metropolitan with 19 players.
Of the 127 players under contract, 72 are returning to the club they competed with in 2021, while 16 players found new homes via free agency. Another two free agents have prior league experience returning to their original club, with 18 free agents joining the PHF as newcomers. 14 players from the 2021 Draft, two from the 2020 Draft, and three from the inaugural International Draft will also make their debuts.
2021-22 PHF Season Opening Roster Fast Facts:
70 forwards, 42 defenders, 15 goaltenders.
59 left hand shots vs 53 right hand shots.
14 left hand gloves vs 1 right hand glove.
Height
Average height is 5'6''
Connecticut is the tallest averaging 5'7''
Buffalo is the shortest at 5'5.75''
Lindsay Eastwood (TOR) is the tallest player at 6'1''
Marie-Jo Pelletier (BUF) is the shortest player at 4'11''
Age
Average age on opening weekend is 26 years, 8 months, 9 days.
Minnesota is the oldest averaging 28 years, 9 months, 17 days.
Toronto is the youngest averaging 25 years, 2 months.
Brooke White-Lancette (MIN) is the oldest player at 42 years, 2 months, 6 days.
Leah Marino (TOR) is the youngest player at 21 years, 3 months, 21 days.
Birthplace
79 American born players are in the PHF representing 14 different states. Minnesota (22), Massachusetts (14), New York (8), Michigan (7), California (6), Connecticut (4), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (4), Illinois (3), North Dakota (2), Wisconsin (2), Florida (1), Maryland (1), Pennsylvania (1).
41 Canadian born players compete in the PHF representing nine different provinces. Ontario (24), Nova Scotia (5), British Columbia (4), Manitoba (3), Alberta (1), New Brunswick (1), Newfoundland (1), Prince Edward Island (1), Saskatchewan (1).
Seven International born players are also part of the PHF representing five different countries including Austria (1), Finland (1), Slovakia (2), Sweden (2), and Switzerland (1).
Collegiate careers
116 PHF athletes played NCAA women's hockey graduating from 39 different programs. Among the leading post-secondary schools are Boston University (7), University of Minnesota (7), New Hampshire (6), Northeastern (6), Providence (6), Quinnipiac (6), Syracuse (5), and Yale (5).
Six PHF athletes played U SPORTS women's hockey graduating from three different programs including the University of Alberta (2), University of Toronto (2), and York University (2).
PHF experience
Boston players have the most PHF experience heading into Season 7 with a roster that totals 582 career games and has accumulated 409 career points.
Next in line for total career games played is Minnesota (562), Connecticut (531), Metropolitan (490), Buffalo (304), and Toronto (93). For points it's Minnesota (320), Metropolitan (282), Connecticut (228), Buffalo (119), and Toronto (66).
Career goaltending wins favors Minnesota with the league's all-time leader in Amanda Leveille having 45 to her credit. Then it's Boston (36), Connecticut (5), Toronto (5), Metropolitan (3), and Buffalo (1).
Seven season streak
Five players from the PHF's very beginning are still going strong by carrying their careers into a seventh straight season. The list includes Boston's Jillian Dempsey and Kaleigh Fratkin, Buffalo's Elena Orlando, Connecticut's Shannon Turner, and Metropolitan's Madison Packer.
Isobel Cup wins
30 current PHF players have won the Isobel Cup including 14 on Boston led by Dempsey with a pair of titles. 12 players on Minnesota have also won including 10 as Whitecaps plus Lexie Laing and Taylor Turnquist from last year's Pride. Leveille also has two titles between Minnesota and her time in Buffalo. Packer and Rebecca Russo both won with the Riveters in 2018. Rebecca Morse was also part of that team but is now a member of the Whale. Toronto's Shiann Darkangelo hoisted the Isobel Cup with Buffalo in 2017, however no current members of the Beauts have been victorious.
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from November 6, 2021
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