Rookies Race To Adapt Faster, More Physical To Life In The PWHL

It's the same game to the one rookies in the PWHL knew in college, but everything is coming a little bit faster and with a lot more force at the pro level. PWHL rookies have been thrust into the mix early in the 2024-25 season as a strong draft class begins to make their impact on the league.

That impact however, comes with challenges, including adapting to the impact of the league's level of physicality.

"I think the physicality is a lot more than what I'm used to in college," said Toronto Sceptres rookie Izzy Daniel, who won the Patty Kazmaier Award last season as the NCAA's top player. "Players are even saying it's even more physical than their last season, the first season in the PWHL. I think that's been an adjustment..."

"The physicality is something that is a bit of an adjustment from the NCAA," echoed Montreal Victoire rookie and Team USA defender Cayla Barnes. "Obviously we've had some physicality in international play, but it's a different level here considering these are all the best players in the world."

It's not just how hard players are hitting once they arrive however. It's also the speed at which they're arriving. Rookies are recognizing they need to move pucks more quickly, get shots off faster, and that if you take even a second off, you'll get burnt.

"The physicality is one piece that a lot of people talk about," said Ottawa Charge rookie Mannon McMahon. "From my perspective, just like the pace of the game...from my first practice pucks are moving so quickly, everyone on the ice is fast, so in order to keep up with pace you need to play faster too, so I think that has been just the biggest adjustment for me."

The need to adapt and improve wasn't a surprise for these athletes. If it were, they probably would have never made it this far. As Sarah Fillier, the PWHL's first overall pick stated, "I think when you go to new teams or new leagues there's always some adjustment period, but luckily I've been able to have some pretty great teammates to help me kind of get through that learning curve pretty quickly..."

Whether it's the physicality, speed of the game, time to make decisions, or the attention to detail, the 39 players selected in the PWHL draft who made opening day lineups, along with a handful of free agent invites who cracked rosters, players are learning on the fly.

One of the biggest items players have learned is that unlike the NCAA, there are no easy nights, and you can't take a shift, let alone a game off.

"Every team is going to give you a tough game, I think in college, not that you can take games off, but there's definitely, kind of a gap in the level of play with some teams," said Boston's first-round pick Hannah Bilka.

"I think you always have to bring your best every night and any team can win."

Daniel was the best in the NCAA last season, but she recognizes it will take more to produce and win night in and night out in the PWHL.

"Everyone's just so good, you can't get away with holding the puck too long, you can't skate yourself out of certain situations and I think also just in practice, getting to go against some of the best players in the world is honestly amazing," Daniel said.

"In college you could kind of get away with taking a day off and you definitely can't do that here."

With college careers done and professional careers underway, the newest class of PWHL rookies will continue to adapt as fast as they can to not only keep their roster spots, but to secure their futures in the league.