Way too early PWHL All-Star Game roster predictions

Happy Hockey Friday, superstars! Dylan Nazareth here from The Ice Garden with some exciting news hot off the press: the PWHL is set to host its first All-Star Game this season!

Dubbed PWHL All-Star, the league announced on Thursday that the event will consist of a 3-on-3 tournament hosted at Scotiabank Arena on March 7, 2027. It will feature four teams — PWHL Canada, PWHL USA, PWHL International and PWHL Rookies. Each will have 10 players: six forwards, three defenders and a goalie. With the start of the season still over two months away, what better time for a way too early PWHL All-Star roster prediction?

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🇨🇦 PWHL Canada

Forwards: Laura Stacey (MTL), Sarah Fillier (NYS), Daryl Watts (DET), Emma Maltais (MTL), Brianne Jenner (HAM), Sarah Nurse (VAN)
Defenders: Sophie Jaques (VAN), Nicole Gosling (HAM), Ella Shelton (TOR)
Goaltender: Ann-Renée Desbiens (MTL)

Possible challengers: F Jessie Eldridge (MTL), F Danielle Serdachny (SEA) F Rebecca Leslie (OTT), D Erin Ambrose (VEG)

Canada boasts a whole lot of talent, making this one of the most competitive rosters. Ann-Renée Desbiens is a lock in net if she maintains her level of play. The defensive group is mostly set, aside from the question of how veteran Erin Ambrose will look on a new team this year. The forward group is where things get a little more interesting. Will familiar names like Laura Stacey and Daryl Watts continue to dominate? Could Emma Maltais’ social media presence boost her in the fan vote? Will a younger Canadian burst onto the scoresheet this year and steal a spot? Only time will tell.

🇺🇸 PWHL USA

Forwards: Kelly Pannek (MIN), Taylor Fox (MIN), Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN), Hilary Knight (DET), Abby Roque (MTL), Hayley Scamurra (VEG)
Defenders: Megan Keller (BOS), Haley Winn (BOS), Cayla Barnes (DET)
Goaltender: Aerin Frankel (BOS)

Possible challengers: F Grace Zumwinkle (MIN), F Britta Curl-Salemme (DET), D Lee Stecklein (MIN), G Gwyneth Philips (OTT)

To no one’s surprise, Team USA may be primed to once again be the Minnesota Frost show. The two-time Walter Cup champions continue to boast the bulk of American talent, especially offensively. Looking at the likes of Kelly Pannek, Taylor Fox and Kendall Coyne Schofield, it’s hard to imagine much of a drop off this season. Still, watch for players like Abby Roque and Hayley Scamurra to find their way onto the team after huge seasons in Montréal.

Defensively, the Boston Fleet duo of Megan Keller and Haley Winn seem like easy choices, and Cayla Barnes could easily take that third spot if she can elevate her game in Detroit. The American crease still belongs to Aerin Frankel, which unfortunately means leaving behind one of the world’s best in Gwyneth Philips.

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🌍 PWHL International

Forwards: Susanna Tapani (BOS), Alina Müller (HAM), Kristýna Kaltounková (NYS), Natálie Mlýnková (SAN), Lina Ljungblom (MTL), Tereza Vanišová (VAN)
Defenders: Maja Nylén Persson (NYS), Ronja Savolainen (OTT), Aneta Tejralová (SEA)
Goaltender: Andrea Brändli (DET)

Possible challengers: F Fanuza Kadirova (OTT), D Nina Jobst-Smith (DET), D Nadia Mattivi (MTL), G Sandra Abstreiter (HAM)

Team International is already stacked, but it may just have the most room for surprises. The likes of Susanna Tapani, Alina Müller and Kristýna Kaltounková feel like a given, but the other forward spots are open for whichever players can kick things into another gear this year. Defensively, the trio of Maja Nylén Persson, Ronja Savolainen and Aneta Tejralová are easy favorites, but watch for a challenger like Nina Jobst-Smith on this blue line.

In between the pipes, things get a bit more complicated. There are, at most, three international returning goalies this season. 29-year-old Swiss netminder Andrea Brändli will technically be a rookie (per the PWHL All-Star rules), but there may be some flexibility in having her join another team if the rookie spot is filled. Otherwise, look to Hamilton camp invite Sandra Abstreiter, who had a strong set of appearances in Montréal last year.

👶 PWHL Rookies

Forwards: Abbey Murphy (SEA), Tessa Janecke (VEG), Lacey Eden (VEG), Kirsten Simms (TOR), Petra Nieminen (MTL), Sloane Matthews (SAN)
Defenders: KK Harvey (VAN), Laila Edwards (SAN), Nelli Laitinen (HAM)
Goaltender: Tia Chan (SAN)

Possible challengers: F Issy Wunder (VEG), D Sloane Matthews (SAN), D Emma Peschel (NYS)

Given how top-heavy this year’s PWHL Draft was, the rookie team probably won’t surprise much. Naturally, the top-five of KK Harvey, Abbey Murphy, Tessa Janecke, Laila Edwards and Lacey Eden is just about a lock. Nelli Laitinen has a solid shot at rounding out the defensive group, though Emma Peschel will be given ample space to show what she can do in New York. Kirsten Simms is player built for all-star games, and will no doubt emerge as one of Toronto’s representatives.

The final two forward spots are more open. Based on the role they’ll play, I’m going with Petra Nieminen and Sloane Matthews here. In between the pipes, Tia Chan is the natural pick for rookie goalie if Brändli is named to the international team.

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