PWHL Ottawa has been skating together since Nov. 17, and the 30 camp players have all had a chance to show off their skills. Of those 30 players, 17 are signed to contracts. The remaining 13 are competing for six outstanding roster spots.
The breakdown of players currently signed for the upcoming season looks like this:
This signing tracker will update to show players signed following the publication of this story.
And the drafted players and camp invitees looking for spots in the roster are:
Eight Forwards:
- Audrey-Anne Veillette
- Fanni Garát-Gasparics
- Rosalie Demers
- Liliane Perreault
- Malia Schneider
- Mikyla Grant-Mentis
- Akane Shiga
- Natalie Snodgrass
Three Defenders:
- Victoria Howran
- Taylor Davison
- Cassidy Herman
Two Goaltenders:
- Samantha Ridgewell
- Rachel McQuigge
How Will They Construct Their Roster?
I don’t think Ottawa is going to carry three goaltenders. I think they can confidently manage with two goalies for a 24-game season. General manager Michael Hirshfeld told reporters at the start of camp that this was something that they might be able to consider with such a short season. Although Ottawa isn’t releasing the results of the team’s health testing, I have no reason to believe either Emerance Maschmeyer or Sandra Abstreiter might have an issue that would create a need for additional insurance.
I think the team will fill out their forward and defensive groups to have at least 13 forwards and seven defenders. That would bring the roster to 22 players, leaving one more space.
That extra roster spot could be allocated to either the forward group or the defence. I can see head coach Carla MacLeod’s team playing games with seven defenders and only 11 forwards, as opposed to the traditional six and 12 lineup. This might lead the team to carry eight defenders.
But another variable in this equation might be forward Audrey-Anne Veillette. The U Sports graduate was Ottawa’s final pick in the PWHL draft. She is a talented forward, whom the team clearly likes — but she is injured. Veillette has been in the gym with the team during camp but hasn’t been on the ice. At team events, she has worn a hefty knee brace.
Even though Ottawa drafted Veillette, if they cut her, she becomes waiver eligible. Ottawa would only retain her rights if she chose to leave camp.
I think Ottawa wants to keep Veillette around to join the team midseason or in future years. And if they sign her as a 14th forward, they’ll still have extra forwards in the rotation, even with her out.
If the team wants to play seven defenders regularly, they will likely sign an additional defender instead of a forward like Veillette. All that said, I think they’re going to take the more traditional route and sign 14 forwards and seven defenders.
This is what I think that roster will look like:
Who Might Earn a Contract?
Here are the currently unsigned players I think will sign contracts:
Mikyla Grant-Mentis
The former Toronto Six and Buffalo Beaut forward is a sure signing in my mind. She is one of the best undrafted players available. Grant-Mentis is a natural winger with a nose for the net and goal-scoring. She’s also a great character fit and loved by all her teammates, who say she’s hilarious.
Akane Shiga
The 22-year-old Japanese phenom has looked like one of the best players on the ice through the first week of camp. She spends every chance she gets meticulously practicing on the ice. Her skating and stickhandling are precise, and her shot is a rocket. The team would be silly not to do everything they can to keep her in Ottawa.
Fanni Garát-Gasparics
The experienced Hungarian forward brings her powerful on-ice skills to Ottawa. I think her calming presence also would contribute an injection of wise leadership that Ottawa wants in their locker room. She also brings the grit and scoring touch the Ottawa management is looking for.
Rosalie Demers
Demers is a reliable forward with PWHPA experience. I think she will serve as a versatile extra forward able to fit in anywhere she’s needed. She can add grit and responsibility to lines when needed.
Audrey-Anne Veillette
Veillette is a talented forward who is underrated because she played her collegiate hockey in Canada. In her final season with the University of Montreal, Veillette had 31 goals in 28 games. She totalled 42 points across the regular and post-seasons. She won medals with Canada’s under-18 team and at the World University Games. I think she has a high ceiling and could be developed into an elite player for this Ottawa team.
Victoria Howran
Howran is another player who fits the Ottawa style. She is a tough player, a good defender, and can dish the puck. She has a hard shot from the point and a big body to push players around. She captained her NCAA team and was an all-star defender in the PHF. She’s a workhorse who has a lot of professional games to her name despite being only 25. I think she would be an excellent addition to an already star-studded defence group.
Unsigned players skating at PWHL Ottawa practices. Top Left: Rosalie Demers. Top Right: Akane Shiga. Bottom Left: Fanni Garát-Gaspasrics. Bottom Right: Victoria Howran | Photos by Simon Hopkins
With those players on the roster, Ottawa could have a very exciting lineup that looks something like this:
I think the gritty identity Hirshfeld wants to build is present across this lineup, with elite talent on the first line, young playmaking and speed on the second, toughness on the third, and power on the fourth.
After reducing their roster to 27 players on Nov. 29, they will be able to sign players released from other teams. Ottawa will then travel to Utica, NY, to scrimmage against other PWHL teams. After evaluating their team on the ice, Ottawa will make the final roster cuts to get down to 23 players in December.
Who Might Not Make the Cut?
Here are the players I predict to be cut:
- Liliane Perrault
- Malia Schneider
- Natalie Snodgrass
- Taylor Davison
- Cassidy Herman
- Samantha Ridgewell
- Rachel McQuigge