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Six PWHL Newcomers To Watch In Season Two

The PWHL is set to drop the puck, and the league will see nearly one third of their player pool making debuts in the league this week. Here's a look at one newcomer from each of the PWHL's six teams to watch.

Boston Fleet - Daniela Pejsova

Boston sacrificed a draft pick to move up to grab Daniela Pejsova at seventh overall in the draft. She's big, she's mobile, and at 22, she's the youngest player in the PWHL this season. The Czech national team member brings a new element to Boston's blueline and as she acclimatizes to the league, there's no telling how good she can be. Hannah Bilka will be another game changer in Boston, where they have a lot of excitement building for their new players and new season.

Minnesota Frost - Claire Thompson

There's still no telling how significant Thompson's impact will be in Minnesota. Minnesota jumped up in the draft to grab Thompson, who is an elite two-way blueliner. She will have some catch up to do having sat out last season. As the games progress, Thompson could emerge as one of the top offensive defenders in the league. Minnesota will need her to play a strong defensive role as well. Balancing that out will decide the heights her game reaches this season.

Montreal Victoire - Lina Ljungblom

Montreal had to wait for a year to get Ljungblom to North America after she couldn't break her contract in Sweden. She's been lined up with Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey on Montreal's top line in the preseason. She'll add youth and physicality up front, as well as the ability to finish. Her addition to Montreal's top line allows the Victoire more flexibility up front, particularly with the addition of other newcomers like Jennnifer Gardiner. Their blueline will also be fun to watch with Cayla Barnes and Anna Kjellbin making contributions.

Ottawa Charge - Danielle Serdachny

This is the obvious selection, but Serdachny comes in having outscored every other player in the PWHL at the NCAA season over the last two seasons. She's big, sees the ice well, and drives to scoring zones on the ice. She has the ability to break games open by herself, but she also piles up quiet points using her smarts. Ottawa also welcomes Ronja Savolainen, a big, surly, and offensively gifted Finnish defender, and may have grabbed a draft day steal in Anna Meixner.

New York Sirens - Sarah Fillier

She made a statement scoring a hat trick in New York's final preseason game, and will factor prominently in New York's efforts to avoid the league basement for the second straight season. Fillier is dangerous whenever she's on the ice, and is one of the more well rounded and pro-ready players joining the league. She will be an immediate superstar in the league, but the question is, can the rest of New York's roster come together. They struggled defensively last season, and this year added Swedish standout Maja Nylen Persson to bolster their blueline, along with NCAA grad Ally Simpson. Another name to watch in New York is Noora Tulus, who adds more scoring, but also defensive versatility.

Toronto Sceptres - Izzy Daniel

Toronto picked Julia Gosling and Megan Carter ahead of Izzy Daniel, and they'll both play prominent roles in Toronto, but Izzy Daniel adds a special skill set. She sees the ice well, is a highly intelligent playmaker, and is shifty enough to make open space for herself. The reigning Patty Kazmaier winner looks like she'll stick in Toronto's top six, and playing alongside the elite talent on this roster, she could statistically be among the top newcomers in the league.

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