PWHL reveals first protection lists for 2026 expansion process
Some of the best players in the women’s game are going to stay put.
On Thursday, the PWHL officially released the protected players list for the eight established franchises for the first portion of the 2026 “Expansion Player Distribution Process”.
Similar to last year, PWHL teams were granted three protection spots for the expansion process. This keeps the league’s four newest teams – Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose – from obtaining players that the established franchises believe are key members of their organization.
The group is protected during Phase 2 of the expansion process, set to take place from June 5-8. This is where the four new clubs will submit 20-player Exclusive Negotiation Target Lists. The expansion teams can sign up to five players with either Expansion Franchise Offers or Foundational Player Offers.
To no one’s surprise, the Boston Fleet made sure to keep their key defensive pieces in place. The team protected goaltender Aerin Frankel, along with defenders Megan Keller and Haley Winn. Frankel has been the backbone of the franchise since Day 1, with she and Keller being two of the the franchise’s three foundational signings back in 2023. The Green Monster is in the running for Goaltender of the Year and the Billie Jean King MVP Award, while Keller and Winn are both finalists for Defender of the Year. Winn is a candidate for Rookie of the Year, also.
All three players are signed through the 2027-28 campaign.
The Minnesota Frost locked up the league’s top two scorers last year – Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise. The State of Hockey natives both signed three-year contracts to be protected. Pannek won the PWHL Points Leader and Top Goal Scorer Awards by posting 16 goals and 33 points. She and Heise, who notched 30 points as well, are finalists for the Forward of the Year award, while Pannek is a finalist for MVP. Unlike last year, the Frost protected one of their goaltenders, electing to hang on to Maddie Rooney.
Just like last year, the Montreal Victoire will be protecting captain Marie-Philip Poulin, forward Laura Stacey and MVP finalist Ann-Renee Desbiens. It comes as no surprise that general manager Danièle Sauvageau stuck with the same trio that she protected during last year’s expansion draft. All three have been franchise cornerstones since Year 1, and were critical in the Victoire’s run to their first Walter Cup this past season.
The New York Sirens are keeping three members of their young core around. 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Sarah Filler is being protected once again, as is last year’s No. 1 pick, Kristyna Kaltounkova. Rookie of the Year finalist Casey O’Brien was also protected, despite not having a contract for next year. However, New York extended a qualifying offer to the Patty Kazmaier winner, allowing the team to protect her. All three players are critical assets to the team’s offense.
For the Ottawa Charge, three players who are under contract through at least next season have been protected. Goaltender Gwyneth Philips, forward Rebecca Leslie and defender Ronja Savolainen. Leslie is coming off a career season, while Philips backstopped the team to a second straight Walter Cup Final berth.
Philips and Savolainen are both the books through 2027-28, while Savolainen is under contract through next season.
The Torrent protected forward Alex Carpenter by signing the veteran to a three-year contract extension. The U.S. Olympian was tied for the team lead in goal scoring last year with 20 points. Young defender Anna Wilgren and goaltender Hannah Murphy are also safe from expansion. Wilgren is a strong piece to the team’s back end, while Murphy has the makings of being a No. 1 goaltender. Both players are on the books through next year.
The Sceptres inked a couple of key pieces for the foreseeable future. 2024-25 Defender of the Year Renata Fast, who some thought might ponder signing with her hometown team in Hamilton, signed on for three more years. On top of that, goaltender Raygan Kirk also signed a three-year extension, solidifying the team’s starting spot between the pipes for a few more years. Ella Shelton, who the team acquired from the Sirens at last year’s draft, is also protected. She’s under contract through next year.
The Goldeneyes are keeping Sarah Nurse around, re-signing the Hamilton, Ont. native to a two-year contract. Despite an injury-riddled season, she was one of the expansion team’s most consistent offensive weapons. Two-time Defender of the Year finalist Sophie Jaques and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer are also protected. Jaques has two more years left on her deal, while Maschmeyer could become a free agent next summer.
Once Phase 3 begins on June 10, the eight teams can protect another three players for the final three phases of the expansion process.