Dempsey Returns As A Reserve As Boston Fleet Complete Their Roster

The PWHL's Boston Fleet brought home a local legend in Jillian Dempsey, albeit on a reserve contract to start. Dempsey, who has spent her entire career from the NCAA, to CWHL, NWHL, and PHF in Boston, was selected by Montreal last year where she spent her first PWHL season.

The veteran forward will be back in Beantown this year, starting her second campaign as a reserve.

She'll be joined by Olivia Zafuto and Kelly Babstock as Boston's reserve players.

A look at Boston's forward group

It's no surprise that Alina Muller, Hilary Knight, and Hannah Bilka look like a group ready to go as Boston's top line. Should that experiment not stick, Boston has other talented forwards including Susanna Tapani, Loren Gabel, Hannah Brandt, Jamie Lee Rattray, Theresa Schafzahl, Sophie Shirley, Lexie Azidja, and Taylor Girard to test run in their top six. Filling out the bottom of Boston's forward group are Amanda Pelkey, who played a key role for Boston in their 2024 run to the Walter Cup finals, and 2024 Draft pick Shay Maloney, who was a physical presence of note in the PWHL preseason. The lone forward to hit waivers out of Boston's camp is Ilona Markova, who was on the cusp of a contract, but faced challenges after not being able to travel to Canada for the PWHL preseason.

Defensive gets a boost in Boston

Boston had far too many blueliners for the roster spots available this offseason. It resulted in Kaleigh Fratkin stepping away, and the team releasing free agent invite Maude Poulin-Labelle. With draft pick Hadley Hartmetz still on the mend, Boston was able to walk into training camp with a relatively known group. Megan Keller and Daniela Pejsova will be the anchors for this group, that also has mobile members including Sydney Bard and Sidney Morin to move the puck up ice. Emily Brown and Jessica DiGirolamo are perhaps two of the more underrated defenders in the league, particularly the importance of Brown as a defensively conscious stabilizing force. Rounding out their group is free agent signing Emma Greco who brings her PHF and PWHL championship resume to Boston. Boston's addition of Olivia Zafuto, who is familiar with the area after playing for the PHF's Pride in 2022-2023, gives Boston even more depth on the back end.

Three deep in net

Boston has the starting international goaltenders for Team USA, Team Sweden, and Team Czechia all on their roster. It's experience and depth that few can match in the PWHL. There are many globally who believe Boston's third goalie, Klara Peslarova, has the chops to start in this league, an opportunity she may get if expansion comes next year. With Aerin Frankel as the default starter, it will be up to the push from Peslarova and Emma Soderberg to earn themselves games, and give Frankel relief. There won't be an easy night to score against the Fleet.