2025-26 PWHL team preview: New York Sirens
LAST SEASON
Strangely enough, the Sirens’ second season of existence had a very similar tone to their first. The team entered the campaign with limited expectations but surprised many with a couple of notable wins right from the start. However, as the dog days of the season arrived, New York struggled to put up points, leading to a nine-game losing streak that sent the team spiraling to the bottom of the standings once again.
There seemed to be so much hope surrounding the team with the arrival of Sarah Fillier, the team’s first overall pick from the 2024 draft. Even though the Canadian National Team star proved she more than belonged in the PWHL, and was a very talented line with Alex Carpenter and Jesse Eldridge for most of the season, the Sirens didn’t have the depth to compete with the rest of the league.
It also didn’t help that Corinne Schroeder, who was playing at an MVP pace in the first half of the season, struggled in the last couple of months. Rookie Kayle Osborne played well in spurts, but not enough to turn the season around.
New York rounded out the 2024-25 season with an 8-4-5-13 record, an improvement in terms of winning percentage, but still finished last in the PWHL with 37 points.
KEY ADDITIONS & DEPARTURES
Additions
Anne Cherkowski, F
Kristýna Kaltounková, F
Savannah Norcross, F
Kristin O’Neill, F
Jincy Roese, D
Dayle Ross, D
Departures
Chloé Aurard-Bushee, F (Bos)
Taylor Baker, D (UFA)
Alex Carpenter, F (Sea)
Jade Downie-Landry, F (Mtl)
Jessie Eldridge, F (Sea)
Élizabeth Giguère, F (Ott)
Brooke Hobson, D (Ott)
Olivia Knowles, D (UFA)
Abbey Levy, G (Bos)
Gabby Rosenthal, F (Van)
Abby Roque, F (Mtl)
Corinne Schroeder, G (Sea)
Ella Shelton, D (Tor)
Noora Tulus, F (UFA)
OFFENSE
If the first sentence of this section didn’t mention Fillier, I think I’d be fired.
The Sirens are going to live and die with the reigning rookie of the year. She finished tied with then-Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight for the Points Leader Award with 29 each, and carried New York’s offense, especially when Carpenter was out due to injury. You’d think there might be a chance at a sophomore slump, but with how good she is, and how long she’s played well at a high level, I don’t see who has what it takes to stop her. I’m curious to see who she’s lined up with, since both Carpenter and Eldridge are moving to Seattle.
The team has rid itself of Abby Roque’s contract and has inserted Kristin O’Neill, who was a solid secondary scorer with the Montreal Victoire. With an elevated role, O’Neill has the makings of producing a 10-goal, 20-point season.
Obviously, the team’s going to be getting a boost from draft picks Kristýna Kaltounková and Anne Cherkowski, but more on them in a little bit.
It’s hard to judge what kind of depth the Sirens will have up front, since they still have so many roster spots available heading into training camp. That said, I think Taylor Girard and Kayla Vespa can both contribute in their own manner, with the returning Savannah Norcross also expected to play an important role up front.
DEFENSE
General manager Pascal Daoust loves his draft picks and had to give up star defender Ella Shelton to obtain a couple of top picks in this year’s draft. That has left a sizeable hole on a blue line for a team that has earned a reputation for having a weaker D-Corps. The team still has plenty of experience in Allyson Simpson, Jamie Bourbonnais and captain Micah Zandee-Hart.
The only notable move Daoust made during free agency was signing former Charge rearguard Jincy Roese. The 28-year-old proved last season that she can be a productive player at both ends, with her 14 points ranking her fifth among PWHL defenders. She’s going to be expected to log some heavy minutes in her new digs.
The big question mark surrounds Maja Nylen Persson. The Swedish defender struggled significantly in her first full season in North America, with an injury in March ruling her out for the remainder of the campaign. If she can find her groove this season, there’s no question she can be a game-changer.
GOALTENDING
With Schroeder off to Seattle and Abbey Levy signing with the Fleet, that leaves Kayle Osborne to take on the starting role for the Sirens. There was a lot to like from the former Colgate star in her first season. She went 2-4-3 in 10 appearances last season, posting a 2.22 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and a shutout. Those are certainly admirable numbers on a team that struggled to give her goal support.
It’s going to be a lot, though, for the 23-year-old to have to wear the burden of having to steal games more often than not. I’m not sure if she has the ability to outplay the rest of the PWHL’s best netminders.
With Osborne coming into this season as the No. 1, who will be backing her up will be the question. New York used two of its nine picks last June to take netminders. Callie Shanahan, who was signed to a one-year deal last month, is coming off a strong senior season at Boston University, while the unsigned Kaley Doyle joins the pro ranks after finishing up her career at Quinnipiac.
ROOKIES
The Sirens “won” the first-overall pick for the second year in a row and used it to grab one of the top players coming out of the ECAC. There’s so much to like about Kaltounková’s game, and given the fact that she’ll be reunited with Colgate coach Greg Fargo, it will help her ease into the transition of playing in the PWHL. Like Fillier last season, the Czech star will be given a lot of opportunities to shine in her first year with the team.
A similar tale might be written for Cherkowski. After a dominant senior season at Clarkson, the 23-year-old has similar expectations to be an important scoring threat on a team that finished tied for the fewest goals scored in 2024-25. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two rookies were put on the same line together early on.
Dayle Ross was the team’s only defensive draft pick this year and will be relied on to bring some youthful spirit to the back end. Unlike other defenders who were picked in 2025, the St. Cloud State product isn’t known for her scoring ability, but rather the stout play in her own end.
COACHING
Fargo definitely dealt with some bumps in his first season in New York, as one would expect when taking over a rebuilding team. However, the culture within the organization felt more positive at the end of year two than it did during the inaugural season. Fargo admitted that there were some challenges in coaching the pro game after his long tenure in the college ranks.
A year under his belt and getting a true sense for how things play out in the PWHL will give Fargo a little more comfort with his surroundings. With some fresh talent at his disposal, he can better execute his vision of what a winning team is.
PREDICTION
Let’s call a spade a spade – it’s going to be tough sledding for the Sirens once again.
They will be able to make some improvements. The offense will be more crisp, giving the fans something to be excited about. However, that back end is looking suspect. The goaltending is a question mark, and a rather inexperienced D-corps will make things tough on New York. Fillier and Kaltounková will be exceptional, but they might be the only bright spots on this team.
On top of that, Vancouver and Seattle are expected to be great, and with the playoff format remaining the same, it’s hard to see this New York team cracking the top four. As we’ve seen in the first two years of the league, the Sirens can always catch a team or two off guard, but doing so for the entirety of the season will be too much.