Grading each PWHL expansion team’s Phase 3 signings
The 2026 PWHL Expansion Player Distribution Process continues, with the team’s four new franchises continuing to add to their inaugural rosters.
We’re through three of the six phases, with Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose trying to add depth to their rosters after their first five foundational signings. While the “superstar” signings might’ve subsided, the level of talent and importance of each addition could prove to be crucial to the team’s potential success in Year 1.
Let’s grade the four teams on how they showed over the past couple of days.
Detroit (B+)
Just two signings for the team in Hockeytown, and while there weren’t as many headliners in Phase 3, general manager Manon Rheaume addressed a couple of areas. Sydney Bard joined Cayla Barnes as the only other defender on the young roster, signing a two-year contract. She isn’t the most touted offensive threat from the blue line, but she can be a solid second or third-pair asset for Josh Sciba’s new team.
The biggest of Detroit’s additions is when the team brought back a native Michigander. Pro veteran Taylor Girard became the first player from the Mitten to sign with the new organization, signing on for two years as well. The Macomb, Mich. native certainly can provide some depth scoring on a team that already has Daryl Watts and Hannah Bilka (with Hilary Knight coming soon). The only concern is her health status. She tore up the same knee that knocked her out of the 2024 Walter Cup Playoffs, and is still recovering. That said, when she’s 100%, Girard is very effective.
Hamilton (B)
After a promising start to the expansion process, Hamilton was pretty quiet this time around. GM Meghan Duggan certainly added some talent on the blue line, signing former Boston Fleet defender Zoe Boyd to a two-year contract. Boyd checks a lot of boxes with her awareness and ability to move the puck. It’s unfortunate that an injury suffered during the Olympic break led to her being shut down last season, as she would’ve made a dominant Fleet defense even better. If she manages to stay healthy, she’ll only make a D-corps that already has Nicole Gosling more promising.
It’s apparent that Duggan is electing to see what the market looks like before filling out more of her roster. There were a number of players that she could’ve picked up over the last couple of days, but instead of wasting time negotiating with unwilling prospects, she has a better idea of who’s available for the next phase.
Las Vegas (A-)
Given what was available in this phase, I think GM Dominique DiDia knocked it out of the park.
The team in Sin City waited until the final hour to make its third and final signing, and it was worth it. DiDia signed former Montreal Victoire forward Maureen Murphy on a one-year deal. I know she struggled during the 2024-25 season, and injuries limited her production last year, but we know what the former Northeastern Husky can bring to the table when she’s on her game.
Las Vegas got its No. 1 goaltender, separating the strong Minnesota Frost tandem by signing Nicole Hensley to a two-year contract. While she might’ve been outplayed by Maddie Rooney over the past two seasons, the two-time Walter Cup champion brings a lot to the table for the expansion squad. DiDia continued to stack the blue line as well. After signing Erin Ambrose, Mae Batherson and Kendall Cooper in Phase 2, she signed former Toronto Sceptres rearguard Megan Carter. I know she didn’t thrive under Troy Ryan, but a fresh start can pay off for the young defender.
San Jose (C-)
San Jose was the other team to sign the maximum three players during the phase, but it certainly didn’t feel like GM/head coach Troy Ryan made any substantial improvements after a rather poor performance in Phase 3. He went out and added to the blue line, signing Hadley Hartmetz and Mariah Keopple to two-year deals. While they are a pair of solid defenders, they don’t contribute much on the offensive end, something the team in the Bay Area is still lacking. They will certainly receive plenty of opportunities to show their potential playing in the top four, but they aren’t considered game-changers, at least in their short PWHL careers.
Ryan continued the trend of bringing in grinders when signing one of his former Toronto Sceptres, Maggie Connors, to a two-year contract. She’s a solid two-way player, but like the other two signings, the 25-year-old has just 13 points in 84 regular-season games. It seems as if Ryan is going to try and win every game next season, 2-1 or 3-1, not scoring their way out of problems. Granted, that’s what we saw with Toronto last year…
Phase 4 will see the four expansion teams have a chance to sign enough players to reach a roster of 10 athletes. If they fail to reach that number, a selection process will be initiated to fill their quota. Detroit has to add one more player during this phase, while Hamilton has to acquire two.