The 2022-23 Premier Hockey Federation player pool includes 61 Americans, and 15 of them have been selected as All-Stars to represent the United States in Sunday’s competition in Toronto with national pride on the line.
Here’s a closer look at the PHF Team USA All-Stars:
3 JONNA ALBERS (MIN) F
The Whitecaps franchise leader in games played and points with 75 and 95 respectively.
“Jonna is a competitor to her core. She is a player that never quits and is gritty and will compete tenaciously in the hard areas of the ice. She is fun to watch and is always an offensive threat.” – Whitecaps head coach Ronda Engelhardt.
3 OLIVIA ZAFUTO (BOS) D
After being held without a point in first eight games, unloaded for two goals and two assists Dec. 18 against Connecticut.
“Olivia is just getting started in this league. She had a great career at Colgate. She spent a few years trying out different opportunities after that and we are thrilled that she landed here in the PHF. She is a defender who can also be an offensive threat. That’s great to have in our lineup.” – Pride president Colleen Coyne.
5 SIDNEY MORIN (MIN) D
2018 Olympic gold medalist leads all PHF defenders with six goals and 60 shots on net.
“Sidney keeps getting better this season. Her skating is her strength and has done a great job using it to her advantage, if that is by maintaining a good gap, moving laterally with the opponent, or getting up the ice quickly. She also has an offensive side of her that makes her effective in all areas of the ice.” – Whitecaps head coach Ronda Engelhardt.
6 KALI FLANAGAN (BOS) D
Another 2018 Olympic gold medalist on the Team USA blue line, led the 2022 Isobel Cup Playoffs in scoring.
“Kali has been an important part of our defense since she joined us mid-season last year. Her speed and hockey smarts allows her to create a lot of fantastic plays and opportunities for us. Being able to put her on a pair with Fratkin, the two best defenders in the league, is truly a coach’s dream.” – Pride head coach Paul Mara.
8 NATALIE SNODGRASS (MIN) F
Leads the PHF’s class of 2022 collegiate graduates with eight goals in 14 games including a hat-trick on her 24th birthday.
“Snodgrass is finding her groove and running with it. She is a powerful skater with a hard shot. She is a player that wants the puck on her stick and is not afraid to go to the net. When she is playing two-way hockey, she is a difference maker.” – Whitecaps head coach Ronda Engelhardt
9 ALLIE THUNSTROM (BOS) F
This season became the third skater all-time to reach 50 career goals.
“With Allie you always know what you are going to get. She obviously brings a ton of speed to the team and that can be, and often is, a game changer. Whether it’s her breakaway speed that leads to scoring opportunities or her ability to catch an opponent on the backcheck, when she hits the ice, we know she is a distraction if not a threat to our opponents and that gives us a unique edge.” – Pride president Colleen Coyne.
13 DOMINIQUE KREMER (BUF) F
Beauts captain was the first in PHF history to sign a two-year contract after earning Defender of the Year honors.
“Dom is the reigning PHF Defender of Year and is really the heart and soul of the Beauts in so many ways. With the ‘C’ on her chest, she bleeds ‘Beauts Blue’. Dom has the respect of her teammates, fans, and opponents alike.” – Beauts general manager Nate Oliver.
14 SYDNEY BRODT (MIN) F
Whitecaps captain scored the championship winning goal during the ECHL All-Star Classic in Norfolk.
“Syd is a player that works hard every practice and every shift. She leads not only vocally but by example. She wants to work hard so that her team is successful. She is fast, pressures her opponents hard, and can create scoring chances for herself.” – Whitecaps head coach Ronda Engelhardt.
14 JILLIAN DEMPSEY (BOS) F
Pride captain is the PHF’s all-time leader in games, goals, assists and points and is the only player in PHF history to win three Isobel Cup titles.
“There is a reason Demps is still at the top of the league after eight seasons in the PHF. She is constantly grinding to be the best, and will not stop short of success. She leads her team through thick and thin, truly wearing her ‘C’ with pride. Whether that is on or off ice training, mental or physical, Demps is always proving people wrong.” – Pride general manager Maddie Rigsby.
14 MADISON PACKER (MET) F
Riveters captain is also the Team USA lead, appearing in a record sixth PHF All-Star game.
“Madison is a league trailblazer paired with wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience. Her biggest strengths are in the offensive zone when she uses her grit and aggressiveness in the corners to strip players off pucks and drives the net. You can also find her blocking shots and taking hits for the team when most needed.” – Riveters head coach Venla Hovi.
17 TAYLOR GIRARD (CTW) F
The 2022 Newcomer of the Year currently leads league with three shorthanded goals.
“Taylor is proving to have another banner season. A major offensive contributor, Taylor uses her power and speed to gain the zone and create plays. Another player that makes those around her better, Taylor is an integral part of generating points game in and game out.” – Whale general manager Alexis Moed.
21 AMANDA PELKEY (MET) F – (unable to compete)
2018 Olympic gold medalist is playing her first season with the Riveters, returning to the league after 2015-17, 2018-19 seasons with Boston.
“Amanda is a dynamic U.S. Olympian and skilled forward with a team first mentality. She is a playmaker and offensive force but can execute different types of roles. Her puck control abilities paired up with speed make her dangerous in all areas of the ice.” – Riveters head coach Venla Hovi.
27 SHIANN DARKANGELO (TOR) F
T6 captain since day one has climbed into top-10 in all-time PHF scoring with 60 points.
“Shi is a great captain and leader who always puts the team first. She is a two-way player who contributes both offensively and defensively. She is a professional who is always trying to get better.” – T6 head coach Geraldine Heaney.
27 PATTI MARSHALL (MIN) D
Sophomore defender scored her first two career goals Dec. 3 against Riveters.
“Patti has been consistent for us game in and game out this season and very deserving of the All-Star selection. She rarely gets beat and makes great first passes. She is also a player we can rely on for all scenarios.” – Whitecaps head coach Ronda Engelhardt.
35 ABBIE IVES (CTW) G
Recorded her first of two career shutouts this season in the Whale’s home ice debut at ISCC.
“Abbie has tremendous composure in net and truly studies every aspect of her game. Constantly looking to improve, Abbie is methodical in her training and approach to the game. Her confidence in net enables those in front of her to quickly transition and develop and offense rush.” – Whale general manager Alexis Moed.
PHF Team USA is coached by U.S. Olympic gold medalists Kacey Bellamy and Colleen Coyne, and All-Stars goaltending coach Brianna McLaughlin-Bittle.
“Photo by Lori Bolliger“
