PWHL Signings Round-Up: Detroit signs Philbert, Wallin to contracts
It was a rather slow start to the week for signings in the PWHL, but one of its newest teams added some depth, including adding a notable name between the pipes.
On Monday, PWHL Detroit announced that the team has signed goaltender Alice Philbert and forward Olivia Wallin ahead of the team’s inaugural season.
Philbert comes to Detroit on a two-year contract, carrying through the 2027-28 season. The Quebec-born backstop entered the worldwide spotlight this past February, playing for France at the Winter Olympics. While the team around her was heavily outmatched, Philbert put forth an outstanding effort, helping the team pick up a point in Group B, though they went 0-3-1 in the tournament, losing a pair of one-goal games to Japan and Germany. Philbert faced more shots (179) and made more saves (167) than any goaltender in the tournament, posting a 3.00 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
The 29-year-old carried that momentum into the spring. Not only did she help the EV Bozen Eagles win the Italian league championship, but she also backstopped the Azzurre to gold at the IIHF Women’s D1A World Championship, earning promotion to the top division in 2027. Philbert also has a championship pedigree in North America, winning a USPORTS championship with Concordia University in 2022.
Detroit now has a significant European flavor in its goaltending. The team’s first-ever draft pick was Switzerland’s Andrea Brandli, giving the squad in Hockeytown a couple of quality netminders who are looking to prove themselves in the young league.
Wallin signed a one-year contract for next season. The Oakville, Ont. native spent her first season in the PWHL with the Ottawa Charge after getting taken in the sixth round of the 2025 PWHL Draft by the Seattle Torrent, but she didn’t play much. She dressed for just two games in late December while on a 10-day contract, but saw ice in just one. She entered the pro ranks after a five-year college career that saw her shine with Penn State and Minnesota Duluth.
Detroit now has 15 of the possible 23 players signed to standard contracts for next season.