PHF Signing Season: May's Free Agent Summary
Published on June 1, 2022 under Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
Premier Hockey Federation rosters have officially started taking shape for the 2022-23 season and beyond with the commencement of free agency on May 1.
This year's process prioritizes an athlete's freedom of choice with the entire eligible player pool subject to unrestricted free agency without the entry parameters of a draft. Enhancements to the standard player agreements also permit two-year deals for the first time in PHF history in addition to the most competitive compensation and benefits packages ever provided to women's hockey players in North America.
A total of 29 player signings for Season 8 were officially announced by PHF teams throughout the month of May. This figure includes 19 players who have re-signed with their Season 7 clubs and 10 free-agent acquisitions. Of the 10 free agents, eight are PHF newcomers including two NCAA graduates and six transfers from other professional leagues, one former player returning to the PHF, and one returning player who has changed teams. 16 of the players are forwards, 10 are defenders, and three are goaltenders. Eight of the contracts are multi-year agreements.
The Buffalo Beauts made the biggest splash in the early proceedings naming eight players to their roster including returnees Allison Attea (D), Lovisa Berndtsson (G), Dominique Kremer (D), and Jenna Suokko (F), plus PHF newcomers Jess Healey (D), Antonia Matzka (D), and Courtney Maud (F), and free-agent acquisition Mikyla Grant-Mentis (F) from Toronto. The Connecticut Whale have re-signed six players including Taylor Girard (F), Abbie Ives (G), Kennedy Marchment (F), Allie Munroe (D), Emma Vlasic (F), and Alyssa Wohlfeiler (F). The Metropolitan Riveters have also named six players including veterans Kendall Cornine (F) and Madison Packer (F), newcomers Ebba Berglund (D), Sarah Bujold (F), and Réka Dabasi (F), and Amanda Pelkey (F) who returns to the PHF for the first time since 2019. The Minnesota Whitecaps inked five players including returnees Sydney Baldwin (D), Ashleigh Brykaliuk (F), and Jonna Curtis (F), plus newcomers Sydney Brodt (F) and Sidney Morin (D). The Toronto Six re-signed four players including Elaine Chuli (G), Shiann Darkangelo (F), Taylor Davison (D), and Taylor Woods (D). The Boston Pride did not announce any signings.
Here's an overview of the players added to PHF rosters through May:
Buffalo Beauts
Allison Attea | D
The Beauts have brought back one of Buffalo's own as Attea returns for a second season with her hometown team. The 23-year-old product of the College of Holy Cross recorded two assists over 16 games during her rookie campaign after being chosen in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.
"I had a fantastic experience last season playing for the Beauts," said Attea. "It's a great atmosphere at the rink each day and I loved playing for my hometown of Buffalo. Returning for another season was an easy decision for me." Read more
Lovisa Berndtsson | G
Berndtsson returns for her second PHF season between-the-pipes for the Beauts after joining the club as the first overall pick in the 2021 International Draft. The 33-year-old from Stockholm, Sweden had previously competed in the SDHL and represented her country on the world stage on three occasions. In seven appearance last season she posted a goals-against-average of 4.36 and save percentage of .886.
"I really enjoyed my first season in Buffalo with the team, our staff, and everybody around us," said Berndtsson. "Last season I came back from double hip surgery and my off-season was pretty short. Therefore, I feel like I want to give myself a fair chance with a full off-season and one season already behind me in the PHF. And of course, I want the Beauts to win the Isobel Cup!" Read more
Mikyla Grant-Mentis | F
The 2021 PHF MVP is on the move as Grant-Mentis takes her talents from Toronto to Buffalo. The former Six All-Star actually began her professional career with the Beauts, scoring five points over three total games at the tail end of the 2019-20 campaign. The 23-year-old from Brampton, Ontario is one of the most prolific scorers in PHF history averaging 1.56 points-per-game which ranks seventh all-time. She finished second overall with 30 points in 19 games and was voted First Star of Season 7 by the fans.
"Buffalo was the team to give me my first opportunity to play in the PHF," said Grant-Mentis, "so choosing to make a professional change to the Buffalo Beauts at this point in my career is an excellent opportunity for me to fine-tune my skills and bring them to an entirely new level on and off the ice. I feel great pride joining a team with good history, a team where all members have mutual respect and value everyone's contributions." Read more
Jess Healey | D
The Beauts bolstered their blue line with the free agent acquisition of Healey who will make her North American professional debut following three seasons in Sweden. The 25-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth then joined HV71 where she produced 79 points in 105 SDHL games. Her PHF contract in Buffalo is a two-year deal.
"I decided to sign with the Beauts because I got an awesome feeling from the staff, the team, and the program," said Healey. "I felt welcomed right away, and I am drawn to the culture and identity of the team. I also have never lived or explored out east so I was excited to have this opportunity to live somewhere I have never been before. I love how professional this program is and how well they take care of the players. This is definitely something I wanted to be a part of." Read more
Dominique Kremer | D
Voted PHF Defender of the Year for the 2021-22 season, Kremer's re-signing was the first contract announced for the upcoming campaign and will also go on record as the first multi-year agreement in league history. The 24-year-old alternate captain from Fargo, ND led all PHF rearguards with six goals as an All-Star sophomore and her 11 points was most among Buffalo blue liners.
"Buffalo is a home away from home for me," said Kremer. "I love everyone in the organization, and I am happiest when I am with my fellow Beauts. There is no other team I would rather play for." Read more
Antonia Matzka | D
Matzka is a member of the Austrian Women's National Team but is no stranger to North American ice. The 23-year-old just graduated from the University of Vermont, but also played four seasons with Holy Cross alongside Attea and served as team captain her junior and senior years. The defender has won six medals representing her country internationally including three silver and a bronze from 2015-18 at the IIHF Division 1A Women's World Championship where she played with PHF legend Janine Weber.
"I decided to join the Beauts because of the supportive and welcoming environment I felt right from the beginning, from the entire organization," said Matzka. "I am extremely excited to be part of such a competitive team and to develop as a player both on and off the ice this upcoming season. I can't wait to be part of the Buffalo hockey community and play in front of the best fans." Read more
Courtney Maud | F
Maud makes the immediate jump from NCAA to the PHF following five seasons at Merrimack College. The 22-year-old centre from Georgetown, Ontario captained the Warriors during her final season when she set a career-high with 14 points. Her collegiate totals include 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 145 Division I games.
"I decided to sign with (Buffalo) because I know I will be a great addition to the positive culture that the Buffalo Beauts organization lives by," said Maud. "I strongly believe in a team-first mentality, and working together towards a common goal. As a player who is committed to the importance of positivity and teamwork, I cannot wait to contribute my energy, and learn from my teammates and coaches." Read more
Jenna Suokko | F
The first Finnish player to ever score a goal in PHF history returns to Buffalo for a second season. Suokko actually tallied twice and recorded seven points across 18 games including an assist in the season opener. The 26-year-old from Tampere had 10 previous years of pro experience, predominantly in Finland's Naisten Liiga with Ilves where she produced 126 points in 111 games from 2017-21.
"I wanted to re-sign with the Beauts because of the strong and passionate culture within the organization," said Suokko. "Everyday life is athletically directed, and all the staff members live and breathe the Buffalo sports culture. It makes for a very unique and passionate environment to play hockey within. Buffalo reminds me of my hometown, Tampere. People are very similar, hardworking, and humble, but they remember to enjoy the little things in life. Buffalo feels like a home far away from home." Read more
Connecticut Whale
Taylor Girard | F
The number one pick in the 2021 draft did not disappoint, now Girard will look to build on an impressive rookie campaign with a new two-year deal to stay in Connecticut. The 23-year-old from Macomb, MI went straight from Quinnipiac University to earning Newcomer of the Year honors, finishing tied for third in PHF scoring with 24 points including 11 goals and 13 assists in 20 games for the Whale.
"I'm so excited to be back with the Whale," said Girard. "It's an honor to play for this organization and be surrounded by such a great group of girls. We have some unfinished business and I can't wait for Season 8 to start." Read more
Abbie Ives | G
Ives backstopped the Whale to their first regular season title in franchise history earning a record 10 of the club's 15 victories. The 23-year-old from Bedford Hills, NY was an All-Star during her second season logging over 885 minutes in 15 starts, facing 340 shots on goal, posting a .894 save percentage, and a 2.44 goals-against-average between-the-pipes for the league's stingiest defense.
"I'm so excited to be returning to the Whale and continue to build and compete alongside this team", remarked Ives. Read more
Kennedy Marchment | F
The reigning top scorer and MVP is coming back to Connecticut for two more seasons. It was officially announced that Marchment had put pen to paper on the multi-year deal just days after making history as the Whale's first winner of the league's top individual prize. It's another record for the 25-year-old All-Star from Courtice, Ontario who set new franchise marks with 13 goals, 20 assists, and 33 points in 20 games for the PHF's top offense after spending three star studded seasons in the SDHL.
"I am extremely excited to be back in Connecticut for two more seasons," said Marchment. "I could not have asked for a better first season in the PHF and I credit that all to the organization and my teammates in Connecticut. I am honored to be in the Whale jersey for two more seasons and to bring that Isobel cup home!" Read more
Allie Munroe | D
Munroe made an immediate impact in her first North American pro season, leading the Whale's blue line in scoring with 13 points in 18 games. That total ranked fourth in the PHF at the position, while her plus-15 rating was tied for first among rearguards. The 25-year-old All-Star from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia was also a finalist for Defender of the Year. She returns to Connecticut on a two-year deal.
"I'm very excited and honored to be a part of the Connecticut Whale for the next two seasons," Munroe said. "The direction that the Whale organization is headed is something I am proud to be a part of. We have unfinished business and I'm counting down the days until Season 8 begins." Read more
Emma Vlasic | F
This 2022-23 season will be Vlasic's fourth in the PHF, spent entirely as a member of The Pod. The 25-year-old from Wilmette, IL served as an alternate captain and competed in her second All-Star Showcase during Season 7. She finished fifth in team scoring with a career-high 13 points in 20 games while leading the club with 182 face-off wins.
"I'm really excited to be back with the Whale this season," said Vlasic. "We have a really great group here in Connecticut and we continue to get better every year. Coming as close as we did last year is just going to motivate this group even more. I'm looking forward to getting back on the ice with my teammates and working towards an Isobel Cup." Read more
Alyssa Wohlfeiler | F
Wohlfeiler was another one of the Whale's alternate captains in 2021-22 and tied her career-high with 16 points in 18 games which ranked fourth on the team. The 33-year-old from Santa Clarita, CA is a notorious hard working forward who is enjoying her second stint in Connecticut after being part of the Season 1 squad. She earned All-Star honors for the second time in her PHF tenure that will reach five seasons including four with Connecticut this fall.
"I'm always honored and grateful to be given another opportunity to continue my playing career, especially with the improvements we keep seeing every year with the league," said Wohlfeiler. "We have a pretty good roster coming in for next season so I'm looking forward to continuing our chase for the Isobel Cup. Obviously, we have unfinished business with how things ended so I expect everyone to be hungry going into the season." Read more
Metropolitan Riveters
Ebba Berglund | D
The Riveters add an Olympian to their blue line with Berglund only months removed from her experience with Sweden at the 2022 Winter Games. The 23-year-old from Örnsköldsvik scored a goal in five contests in Beijing, and will make her North American professional debut following six seasons at home in the SDHL. She most recently played for HV71 after winning 2019 and 2021 titles with Luleå HF.
"It's an amazing opportunity to be a part of the journey of changing the game of women's hockey worldwide and setting the very best standards for all players," said Berglund. "It's also a great opportunity for me personally to take my game to the next level and get to experience the kind of environment the Riveters and the PHF provide." Read more
Sarah Bujold | F
Bujold joins the Riveters following three seasons in the SDHL, including the 2021-22 campaign where she played with Berglund for HV71 and scored 20 goals and 34 points in 29 games. The 26-year-old from Riverview, New Brunswick was a U SPORTS standout with St. Francis Xavier University from 2015-19 recording 106 points in 97 games including 56 goals. She was awarded the Brodrick Trophy as women's hockey player of the year in 2017.
"I had heard great things about the league and the Rivs, as well as the opportunity to make a living at playing the sport I love," said Bujold. "I am also looking forward to playing closer to home. Having my friends and family come to watch me play in person would be incredible!" Read more
Kendall Cornine | F
The Riveters will have at least one New Jersey native in the lineup during Season 8 with Cornine from nearby Livingston returning for a fourth straight year. The 25-year-old has been one of the PHF's top goal scorers since debuting in 2019-20, tallying 23 times in 47 career contests. She lit the lamp for 10 this past season including a stretch of eight in as many games and finished the year with 16 points.
"This is going to be my fourth year on the team, I'm born and raised in New Jersey," said Cornine. "When I got drafted to the Riveters in 2018, I was excited to get to come home and play for my home team, and the organization has been great to me over the past four years, so it just felt like the best fit." Read more
Réka Dabasi | F
Dabasi brings more world class talent to the Riveters, and even though she's just 25-years-old, the depth of her experience is incredible. She's won four straight EWHL titles with KMH Budapest, recording 32 points in 16 games in 2021-22. She's also represented Hungary at nine different IIHF World Championship events at the senior level, winning six medals including gold at the 2019 D1A tournament that promoted her country to their first ever appearance in the top division competition last summer.
"When the Riveters management reached out to me with this opportunity, it was a very easy decision to make," Dabasi said. "I really liked the idea they envisioned for the upcoming season. There are a lot of talented players on this team who have already achieved success within the league, so I'm honored and excited that I can be a part of this group next season and that I'll have the opportunity to help the team win." Read more
Madison Packer | F
Captain Packer has been a consummate pro and a consistent producer for seven seasons with the Riveters and will continue for at least two more after signing a new multi-year term. The 30-year-old from Birmingham, MI holds franchise records in all offensive categories with 54 goals and 54 assists for 108 points in 107 games. This past season she finished fifth in PHF scoring with 23 points in 20 games, was recognized as an All-Star for a record fifth time, and was the team's Foundation Award recipient.
"I am most excited to continue growing women's hockey in the New Jersey Metropolitan Area and continuing to build a foundation the Riveters brand will stand on for years to come," Packer said. "I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the investment the Riveters' organization is making in me with this contract and I look forward to working hard to bring a championship back to Newark. It is special and unique to have the opportunity to play nine seasons for the same franchise, and it is something that really means a lot to me. I am excited for the season and I look forward to leading this group, learning from some of the younger players, and continuing to raise the bar for what excellence can look at our level." Read More
Amanda Pelkey | F
Pelkey returns to the PHF as a member of the Riveters following three seasons with the PWHPA. The 29-year-old from Montpelier, VT had previously played three seasons in Boston counting 2015-17 and 2018-19 highlighted by an Isobel Cup title and 29 points over 49 games. She also has three gold medals to her name including the 2018 Winter Olympics, and back-to-back World Championship titles with the U.S. National Women's Team in 2016 and 2017.
"The Riveters were always a tough team to play against both mentally and physically during my time in Boston," Pelkey said. "I am looking forward to maintaining that tough style against opponents. When this opportunity came to me, I was intrigued by the thought of simply getting the opportunity to focus on being a professional athlete and help move the game forward." Read more
Minnesota Whitecaps
Sydney Baldwin | D
One of the Whitecaps' mainstays and most offensively gifted blue liners will be back for the 2022-23 season. Baldwin, who hails from Minnetonka, MN, will play her fourth straight PHF campaign in her home state. The 26-year-old was a late season signing and played four total games in March but contributed five points. Her career points-per-game average of 1.00 ranks first all-time among PHF defenders counting 10 goals and 13 assists in 23 contests.
"The Whitecaps carry a rich history in Minnesota. During my early years, I grew up admiring many of the players involved with the team. Being a Whitecap myself now, it's really an honor to be a part of this group and continue to play the game I love," Baldwin said. "I'm looking forward to continuing to represent the game here in my home state and support the growth of women's hockey." Read more
Sydney Brodt | F
The Whitecaps will have gold medal experience at forward next season with Brodt who was a member of the 2019 World Champion U.S. National Women's Team. The 24-year-old most recently played for Linköping HC of the SDHL, scoring 56 points including 29 goals in 36 games. The North Oaks, MN native played collegiately at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she captained the Bulldogs for three seasons.
"I want to continue to grow the women's game in my home state, Minnesota," said Brodt. "I'm super excited to be a part of their long-standing tradition and want to help bring the Isobel Cup back to Minnesota!" Read more
Ashleigh Brykaliuk | F
Following a breakout rookie season, Brykaliuk has inked a two-year contract with the Whitecaps through the 2023-24 season. The 26-year-old from Brandon, Manitoba scored 14 points in 20 games which ranked fourth on the team, while her 199 face-off wins and .513 efficiency at the dot was a team high. During her NCAA career, she preceded Brodt as a two-year captain at Minnesota-Duluth.
"I love Minnesota and being able to play this game in the State of Hockey," Brykaliuk said. "The Whitecaps are a historic program in the women's hockey world and I am extremely excited to continue to build on its tradition." Read more
Jonna Curtis | F
Curtis is an original member of the Whitecaps and the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Over four PHF seasons since 2018-19, the 28-year-old from Elk River, MN has recorded 80 points in 61 games which ranks third among all PHF skaters. She also ranked third in scoring during in 2021-22 with nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points while serving as an alternate captain and earning a third All-Star invite.
"I've proudly played for the Whitecaps the past four years. Minnesota is home and I love being able to play in front of family and friends," Curtis said. "There is so much history and I want to continue to be a part of that while growing the game." Read more
Sidney Morin | D
Morin is an Olympic gold medalist from the 2018 U.S. National Women's Team who has spent the past five seasons playing overseas. She joins the Whitecaps on a two-year deal after four seasons in the SDHL and last year in the SWHL where she was a National Cup winner as captain for Ladies Team Lugano scoring 58 points in 25 games. The 26-year-old from Minnetonka, MN played collegiately for the University of Minnesota-Duluth and was the 2016-17 WCHA Defensive Player of the Year.
"I have seen the growth of the league from afar and felt that the timing was right to move back to the place I was born and raised in," Morin said. "Minnesota is a special place and I am excited to return home and play with the team that has meant so much to young girl hockey players here in Minnesota." Read more
Toronto Six
Elaine Chuli | G
Chuli headlines Toronto's early list of returnees after a spectacular second season in the Six crease. The 28-year-old from Waterford, Ontario was MVP of the All-Star Showcase then earned Goaltender of the Year honors with a string of 16 consecutive victories that set a PHF single season record. Her two shutouts, 1.82 goals-against-average, and .931 save percentage ranked second among netminders.
"I just feel like we have unfinished business and I've had a great experience with the organization," Chuli said. "I'm happy to be a part of what we're building with the Toronto Six and the PHF as a whole, so I'm just really grateful for the opportunity and I'm ready to go out there and win some games next season." Read more
Shiann Darkangelo | F
Darkangelo returns for a fifth PHF season and third straight with Toronto where she's captained the team through its first two years. In 2021-22 she recorded a career-high with 20 points on eight goals and 12 assists which was second most on the team while ranking among league leaders with a .573 face-off efficiency. The 28-year-old from Royal Oak, MI also competed in her third All-Star Showcase and served as one of three captains as selected by her peers.
"It was exciting getting to actually play at our rink this season for the first time and getting fans in the building," Darkangelo said. "It kind of felt like the first season even though it was the second season, so I think we have a great thing going with the core group of players, and we did have a good deal of success this season, so I was excited and want to continue to build off of that and see where we can go, so I decided to re-sign." Read more
Taylor Davison | D
Davison made the most of her first professional season with the Six. The 24-year-old from Oakville, Ontario was chosen fifth overall in the 2021 draft becoming the highest selected player in U SPORTS history. The York University graduate got to stay on home ice, earned mid-season All-Star status, and finished the campaign with a goal and three assists while skating in all 20 regular season games.
"Coming into this league and for my first year, I couldn't be happier playing for the Toronto Six," Davison said. "Everyone on the team wanted to play for each other, we meshed really well as a group, and overall, it was just a really fun year. That's why I was so excited that I got a contract to play again for the following year and be on the team again. Being able to play so close to home was something I really enjoyed and another reason why I am so excited to re-sign with the Toronto Six." Read more
Taylor Woods | D
The PHF's top scoring defender in 2021-22 was Woods who recorded 17 points including three goals in 20 games. Her 14 assists ranked fourth among all PHF skaters and was fuelled by a pair of three-point performances throughout the year. One of the club's alternate captains and original members, the 27-year-old All-Star from Morden, Manitoba will be playing in her third PHF Season.
"I've lived in the GTA for 6-7 years and it's became a home to me," Woods said. "The Toronto Six has some unfinished business, and I believe we still have more to prove as a team. I feel like I can make the most impact as an athlete and within the hockey sphere being a member of the T6." Read more
The salary cap for the 2022-23 season has been announced as $750,000 per team which is the highest in league history and part of a commitment from the PHF Board of Governors to invest $25 million directly to enhance the player experience over the next three seasons. Financial terms of individual player contracts will not be disclosed.
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from June 1, 2022
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