Stellar Six: PWHL’s Unsung Heroines - December Edition

The PWHL releases its monthly SupraStars, honoring three forwards, two defenders, and one goaltender at the conclusion of each month, “determined as the players who most excelled on ice throughout the PWHL.”

It’s always intriguing to debate who deserves recognition, and often statistics make a big difference. For instance, Alex Carpenter and Sarah Fillier have absolutely burst out of the gate, with ten and nine points respectively in their first eight games.

However, we could use a “second team” of performers who have impressed, perhaps without the numbers to make the league’s recognition, but whose contributions have been invaluable to their teams’ play.

With a careful eye to the quietly shining stars, we present our “Stellar Six” for December:

Hilary Knight, Boston Fleet

Last year, Knight didn’t have a goal until the sixth game of the season. This season, she already has seven points in her first seven games, including four goals. She is much more like the player we knew she was, after fighting through a foot injury last season. Fleet fans have to be relieved to see the captain back to her old form.

Hannah Miller, Toronto Sceptres

With Toronto’s forward depth, Miller has quietly shone in a versatile role, playing both center and wing, and scoring timely goals. She’s seen power play time, and has replaced some of the offense that the Sceptres have sorely missed in Natalie Spooner’s absence, with three goals and two assists already.

Abby Boreen, Montreal Victoire

Montreal rolled the dice on Boreen in the third round of the draft, hoping that after playing nine games in Minnesota last season (with five points to show for it), the scrappy winger would move to Canada and join a talented forward group. And it has paid off: Boreen has given the Victoire the secondary scoring they desperately needed and rounded out their roster with grit and skill.

Ronja Savolainen, Ottawa Charge

As advertised, Finnish defender Savolainen has brought a physical edge and steady defense to the Ottawa Charge. The second-round pick’s veteran poise from playing with the national team is evident every time she steps on the ice. Savolainen looks very comfortable playing with Jincy Roese, and has also contributed some timely offense, with a goal and two assists.

Micah Zandee-Hart, New York Sirens

New York’s captain was injured at the start of last season, and didn’t have a standout campaign after returning. This year, however, when the Sirens’ top defender Ella Shelton was placed on LTIR, Zandee-Hart simply rose to the occasion and took on a larger role. Her leadership and the example she sets with calm, smart play have been instrumental in the team’s success, even with Carpenter and Fillier grabbing the headlines.

Corinne Schroeder, New York Sirens

The Sirens have to be the best story of the early second season. We knew they played better than the results of last year might have showed, and Schroeder’s fine goaltending was among the slightly overlooked performances. With the team in front of her much more balanced, Schroeder is getting the wins she deserves (four in six games), and is solidifying her reputation as one of the league’s best with a .924 save percentage.