After a spectacular college career at Princeton University, Sarah Fillier was selected with the first pick in the 2024 PWHL draft to the New York hockey club. The 24-year-old already has an extensive résumé. Let’s take a look at some highlights from her career so far, and what it all means to the PWHL.
The Top Pick of the 2024 PWHL Draft is a Deserving One
Sarah Fillier has quite the list of accomplishments as we have mentioned. Case in point, she won gold with Team Canada at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, scoring eight goals in the tournament. Furthermore, that added to her three other titles with Team Canada at the Women’s World Championships. She is sixth on Princeton’s all-time goal-scoring list and was a three-time Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist, awarded to the top women’s college hockey player in the United States.
“I think it’s exciting,” Fillier said. “If you look at the talent New York has, I think they’ve built a really solid foundation. It’s an amazing sports city and the fans have been amazing this whole season. And I went to school just down the road, so it feels like a bit of a homecoming.”
New York struggled in their inaugural season, finishing last in the league. Fillier will bring her speed, offensive awareness, and leadership abilities to the Big Apple, potentially on the first line.
The First Round of the Draft
After Fillier’s selection, Cornell’s Danielle Serdachny was selected second overall to PWHL Ottawa, and Claire Thompson was drafted third to reigning champions Minnesota.
The fourth and fifth picks were a pair of Ohio State teammates fresh off their national championship victory: Hannah Blika and Cayla Barnes, to Boston and Montreal, respectively. Both were teammates at Boston College and on Team USA before joining the Buckeyes.
Rounding out the first round was Julia Gosling at sixth to Toronto. Gosling elected not to use her fifth year of eligibility at St. Lawrence University to join the PWHL. Experts have compared her play to reigning league MVP Natalie Spooner.
Super Spooner 🥄
Congratulations to Natalie Spooner for being named the 2024 Billie Jean King MVP! pic.twitter.com/RC3caUk8gy
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) June 11, 2024
Second Round Picks From the 2024 PWHL Draft
New York also had the first pick in the second round but traded it to Boston, who drafted Daniela Pejšová. A defender from Czechia who previously played for Luleå HC in Sweden. Her Luleå teammate, Ronja Savolainen, was the second pick of the second round to Ottawa.
Controversary Over the Ninth Overall Pick to Minnesota
Britta Curl went third (ninth overall) to Minnesota. This pick resulted in some criticism, as Curl has allegedly supported transphobic messages on social media. Harrison Browne, a former professional hockey player, transgender athlete, and advocate shared his displeasure on X (or formerly known as Twitter).
Women's hockey was my safe space as a trans person.
Super disappointing to see someone enter the league that would make my community feel anything but welcome.
Trans people belong in sports. Trans women are women. https://t.co/4FEcik2frv
— Harrison Browne (@Hbrowne24) June 11, 2024
Curl was the captain at the University of Wisconsin. Minnesota Head Coach Ken Klee shared his decision to draft Curl, “I was told she’s a great teammate, a great person. She’s obviously a great player.”
New York pick they swapped with Boston rounded out the top ten. New York selected Maja Nylén Persson, a Swedish defender.
Overall, 42 players were selected in the 2024 PWHL draft in seven rounds. Some other notable picks include Team USA veteran Amanda Kessel, selected 41st overall to Montreal. Abby Boreen, who previously played for Minnesota and won the championship this past season, was drafted by Montreal. She signed a reserve contract to join Minnesota and did not declare for the draft last year. As the PWHL continues to develop and evolve, these women will fight for their place on their respective rosters and help the league grow and expand. After a successful first season, the league and these new players will help the forward momentum continue.
Main photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
