For the second season in a row, the Boston Fleet need some new letter-wearers. Last season, Megan Keller stepped into the captaincy after Hilary Knight departed for Seattle during the expansion process. Alina Müller then took over Keller’s vacant alternate captain role. Keller will remain the team’s captain this season, but she needs two new alternates after Müller left for Hamilton during the expansion process, and Jamie Lee Rattray headed to Toronto during free agency. Here’s a look at three potential candidates to fill those roles this season.
Susanna Tapani
Perhaps the clearest choice to wear an “A” for the Fleet this season is Susanna Tapani. Tapani has been with the Fleet for all but nine games of her PWHL career, which she spent with PWHL Minnesota in the inaugural season. On the ice, expect Tapani to lead the team’s forward corps this season, and ideally elevate some of her teammates. Her 49 career points in 86 games (0.57 PPG) lead all current Fleet forwards. Olivia Mobley (0.50 PPG, 10 GP) and Abby Newhook (0.48 PPG, 29 GP) are relatively close behind after strong rookie seasons. However, Sophie Shirley (0.27 PPG, 70 GP) and Shay Maloney (0.27 PPG, 60 GP) are the closest experienced current Fleet forwards to Tapani, and that’s a wide gap.
As good as Tapani is on the ice, players need to bring more than just results to be good leaders. Tapani does just that. The 33-year-old brings a wealth of experience across the Finnish leagues, Team Finland, the PWHL, and more. Plus, she brings prior official leadership experience as the former captain of the Finnish ringette team. She’s already a leader on and off the ice for the Fleet despite not having a letter, so it only makes sense to give her an “A” this season.
Jill Saulnier
Saulnier is a strong candidate to wear the second “A” this season. Like Tapani, the 34-year-old brings extensive experience to the table. She’s played through multiple iterations of professional women’s hockey, including the CWHL, PWHPA, and now the PWHL. Plus, she has international experience with Team Canada. Teammates (and fans) love her, and she brings similar energy and experience to Rattray, which would make for a smooth transition. Also, like Tapani, Saulnier’s already regarded as a leader for the team despite not having a letter. So, why not make her an official one too?
Haley Winn
At just 23 years old, Winn would certainly be a less traditional choice for an alternate captaincy. However, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see the Fleet pick her. After all, Winn is no ordinary 23-year-old. She already has multiple world championships, an Olympics, and an outstanding NCAA career under her belt. Plus, she already has a strong relationship with head coach François Méthot thanks to her time at his academy in Rochester. Overall, the Fleet love her, and there is some precedent around the league for giving elite young players letters.
That said, it’s likely not the best move to give Winn a letter now. For starters, she’d simply be better off continuing to learn from the more experienced players without the pressure of being an official leader. Plus, practically speaking, it wouldn’t be the best move for the team. She and Keller will likely be on the ice together a lot again. Officially, letter-wearing players are the only ones authorized to speak with officials mid-game. But if the captain is on the ice, they are the only ones supposed to speak to officials. So, why burn a letter on a young player who will rarely even be able to carry out its official duty? There will be plenty of time for Winn to wear a letter in the PWHL, but that can is probably best kicked down the road a bit.
