It’s been over a week since the PWHL’s first-ever expansion draft, and while all the teams’s lost four players, some have lost more, and some have gained since the free agent window officially opened at 9 am ET Monday morning, June 16. Every team has been affected differently by this expansion draft, and it’s time to look at what another team lost.
The Walter Cup champions, the Minnesota Frost, and the runner-up Ottawa Charge have already been on the list of what was lost; now it’s time for the Boston Fleet. They only lost one player in the initial expansion signing window, their captain, Hilary Knight, but then they lost three more in the actual expansion draft. We’ll start with the final Fleet player signed and work our way to Knight, as the best deserves to be saved for last.
Brown Has Veteran Presence
Being a defender typically means not putting up a lot of points on the board, and Emily Brown fits that description. She’s strong on defense but was able to contribute some offense throughout the season. In 29 games played, she had four points this season, which was the same number she produced last season.
She plays a physical style of defense, especially when along the boards, she uses her body to push her opponent off the puck to gain possession. While physicality is good, it also may have landed her in the penalty box as she sat for 16 minutes throughout the season. With Brown on the roster, PWHL Seattle will have some of their hits covered.
While she did hit quite a bit, she also moved quickly with the puck, especially when breaking out. She didn’t take too long to make a decision, and her efficiency helped her team move the puck out quickly and have a chance to score. PWHL Seattle saw that in her, too, and her veteran presence alongside her new teammates will be needed to help any new players to the league adjust.
Bard Leaves Defensive Void
Just like her teammate Brown, Sydney Bard brings a small offensive presence with a very big defensive game. She’s quick on her feet and is always on the move, especially in the offensive zone when she cycles from the point to the corner when needed. She played in 27 games and registered a goal plus two assists for three points. It was her first season in the PWHL, and she’ll be one of the younger players on PWHL Vancouver.
Bard takes shots when she has the chance and always makes sure she gets back to her spot point before the opponent can…
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