Landmark contract for Toronto Six’s Daryl Watts takes PHF’s prestige another notch higher
“I’m disclosing this because women’s hockey has been struggling for so long” Watts said. “I’m so grateful and fortunate to be the recipient of this historic contract.
“It’s my duty, almost, to the women’s hockey community, to share this contract, provide clarity into what the women’s pro hockey atmosphere looks like right now.
“This is a staggering number. It sends the message to young girls who play hockey that they can look forward to a pro women’s league where they have the opportunity to make a really significant amount of money to support themselves while playing the sport they love.
“I’m also disclosing this because I hope this will attract other players, which will then accumulate into the establishment of one single professional women’s hockey league.”
Who is Daryl Watts?
If you’re like me and haven’t had the chance to follow college-level women’s hockey, let me bring you along on my journey of discovering the excellence that Watts can bring to the PHF and the Six.
With the NCAA being the primary source of talent for both the North American Olympics teams and the PHF, having that level of production puts her quite easily among the best women’s hockey players in the world right now. So, why haven’t we seen her at the Olympics?
“They are young, and they do represent that offensive gift to put the puck in the net,” Pounder said about [Loren] Gabel [now with the Boston Pride] and [Daryl] Watts. “They’re two players that I’m surprised were left off.”
Regardless of national team spots, Daryl Watts is a shining star for women’s hockey in Canada and it’s a delight to see her join the rapidly growing PHF.
What can we expect from her?
Having been away from the game for over a year, there’s some rust to work off, no doubt. But she’s already on the points column, with an assist on the opening goal in her first PHF game, a 7-4 offensive explosion against Connecticut this past Saturday. She was listed as playing on the 4th line, but she moved around a bit through the roster as head coach Geraldine Heaney tried to find the best place for her.
I think, medium term, the plan is probably to have her join Brittany Howard’s line, as there hasn’t been a good fit there yet. Brooke Boquist is playing there currently, but she has just 2 points in 12 games, along side a linemate with 15 goals in 14 games.
Long term, going into next season, her and the rest of the Six’s offense stand a great chance of building something great in the PHF.
