18 more signings announced including six new names to get to know
Another 18 players are officially onboard for the 2023-24 Premier Hockey Federation season, as announced by teams June 12-18, with roster building ongoing ahead of the league’s ninth campaign. The latest signings feature 11 players returning to their 2022-23 teams, six new faces including four collegiate graduates, plus one free agent on the move.
The Boston Pride re-signed forward Sammy Davis, came to new contract terms with defender Kali Flanagan, and added goaltender Kassidy Sauvé from Buffalo. The Beauts had a busy week signing rookies Amalie Andersen and Ally Johnson from the University of Maine, bringing in Japanese National Team sisters Akane Shiga and Aoi Shiga, and re-signing forward Maggie Knott. The Connecticut Whale signed German National Team goaltender Sandra Abstreiter from Providence College, and re-signed forwards Janka Hlinka and Justine Reyes. The Minnesota Whitecaps signed Ohio State defender Madison Bizal and re-signed four more key figures including captain Sydney Brodt and fellow All-Stars Jonna Albers, Denisa Křížová, and Patti Marshall. The Toronto Six also re-signed a pair of All-Stars in forward Leah Lum and defender Kati Tabin.
SIGNING NEWS 📣
The #Beauts have signed Olympians and Japanese Women’s National Team members Akane and Aoi Shiga! 🇯🇵 The Shiga sisters have signed 2-year contracts with us.
ようこそ、あおいとあかね! 🏒🦬
📝: https://t.co/RO7TFtDnWC#FortBeaut#PHF
🖼️: @jsantalucia96pic.twitter.com/3khmyWZH7I— Buffalo Beauts (@BuffaloBeauts) June 16, 2023
The Shiga sisters are among the latest world class talents who exemplify the global growth of the new era PHF, signing two-year deals in Buffalo where they become the league’s first Japanese players since goaltender Nana Fujimoto suited up for the Riveters in the inaugural 2015-16 season. Akane is a 22-year-old forward who competed in the 2022 Olympics and the country’s last four appearances at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. Aoi is a 23-year-old defender who played in both the Beijing and PyeongChang Winter Games, and five top division world tournaments since 2016. The Hokkaido, Japan natives were both among leaders in average time on ice at their positions and helped their program stave off relegation and take a seventh-place finish in the April event in Brampton, Ontario.
“We are very excited that Akane and Aoi have decided to join the Beauts for the next two seasons,” said Nate Oliver, Beauts General Manager. “I had been aware of both players for quite some time. Aoi actually played in Buffalo at the 2015 Women’s U18’s, so I initially saw her there. I scouted them both closely up in Brampton back in the spring. They are two of the most successful players from Japan’s Women’s National Team and I believe that they can be mainstays within the Beauts’ organization. Furthermore, both Aoi and Akane reflect the values of outworking the opposing team and being steadfast, reliable teammates to others.”
The Great Dane(s) 🇩🇰
Congrats to Amalie Andersen, sister of Freddie, on becoming the first Danish player in @PHF history! pic.twitter.com/AIRGl5tN7D
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 12, 2023
The Beauts are making more international hockey history with Andersen who becomes the first Danish player to join the league. The 23-year-old defender from Herning, Denmark is the sister of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen. She has represented her country at the 2022 Olympics and seven different senior level World Championship events including two top division tournaments. Andersen played three seasons in the SDHL before embarking on a collegiate career at Maine, appearing in 60 NCAA games and recording nine points from 2019-23. Her time as a Black Bear coincided with Johnson’s five-year tenure and the pair will make their North American pro debuts together in Buffalo on one-year contracts. The 24-year-old from Milwaukee, WI is a five-foot-eight forward who produced 37 points in 152 career NCAA games, serving as an alternate captain in 2022-23. Johnson is also an accomplished track and field athlete, four-time state qualifying in high school for Long Jump, Triple Jump, 4×100, and 100 metre dash.
“We had been speaking with Ally for quite some time and there was very much a mutual interest in having her join the Beauts,” said Oliver. “She is a hard-nosed, tough player who goes to all the dirty areas on the ice and battles. Ally is a player that will outwork you at every cost. I think what fans would find most appealing about Ally is that she is completely enamored with the notion of being a Beaut and competing for Buffalo.
“Amalie is a very rugged defender. As nice as she might be off the ice, she has a sandpapery disposition on it. Amalie comes from a strong hockey pedigree with her father, mother, brothers, uncles and cousins all having played at a high level. Some people are just naturally gifted in that way, and I do think that there is something to be said for genetics. Aside from that though, Amalie stands entirely on her own with what she can do on the ice and we are very proud that she is now a Buffalo Beaut.”
“Buffalo Black Bears” Moniker Back in Full Effect as Beauts Sign Ally Johnsonhttps://t.co/hP9lwBeBMz
— The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) June 13, 2023
International hockey history wasn’t only made in Buffalo last week as Connecticut made Abstreiter just the second German player to join the league following Tanja Eisenschmid who played for the Whitecaps in 2018-19. The 24-year-old from Freising, Germany signed a one-year deal after a five-year collegiate career as a Friar and a 2022-23 campaign that included six shutouts, a goals-against-average of 1.88, and a save percentage of .926. She’s also backstopped her country at the last three IIHF Women’s World Championships, notably winning three of her five starts in April where she posted the third best save percentage in the top division tournament with an overall mark of .929. Abstreiter joins Swedish star Emma Söderberg to complete the Whale goaltending duo for the 2023-24 season.
“The Pod is excited to announce the signing of Sandra Abstreiter,” said Colton Orr, Whale Head Coach. “Her impressive ability to read the game and make critical saves in high-pressure situations is a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport. At 6’0″, her size and athleticism bring a commanding presence to our team, and we’re confident that her experience playing for the German National Team and her leadership will be invaluable to our success. Sandra solidifies our goalie tandem, and we can’t wait to see what she can bring to the ice and look forward to a promising season ahead.”
Our star netminding duo is complete. 🤩
Welcome to the Pod, Sandy Abstreiter!
📰 https://t.co/03zVvULUBXpic.twitter.com/R3ls6Tk94l— Connecticut Whale (@CTWhaleHockey) June 15, 2023
Bizal is the latest WCHA star to join the Whitecaps roster, signing a two-year contract after five seasons with the Buckeyes. The 23-year-old from Elk River, MN never missed a game during her NCAA career and graduated tied for the program’s all-time lead in games played with 172. During that time, she recorded 79 points, blocked 240 shots, earned WCHA All-Academic Team and WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors four times each, and was part of Ohio State’s 2022 NCAA National Championship alongside fellow Whitecap Liz Schepers. She also won gold at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship, competing on Team USA alongside fellow Caps rookie Maggie Flaherty.
“I love how confident Madison is and her ability to find the lanes to the net,” said Chi-Yin Tse, Whitecaps General Manager. “Biz was tough and physical in front of her own net – and she regularly blocked shots. She is a true competitor and will sacrifice for her teammates. Biz is an elite shot blocking machine on one side of the ice, but then an elite offensive-minded blue liner on the other end. She transitions fast and makes great first passes out of the zone. Biz will be a threat every time she steps on the ice.”
Another Ohio State Buckeye is returning to the state of hockey for their professional career. Defender Madison Bizal has signed a two-year deal with the Caps.
📸: @OhioStateWHKY | @madison_bizal | #RollCaps
✍️: https://t.co/qvU1J7ZSrJpic.twitter.com/4sVrZCG8jW
— Minnesota Whitecaps (@WhitecapsHockey) June 12, 2023
All four of the returning Whitecaps who re-signed last week have inked two-year deals. Albers tied for the team lead in scoring last season with 20 points including 10 goals in 24 games, then added another six points including five goals in three playoff contests. The 29-year-old from Elk River, MN is the all-time franchise leader with 100 career points in 85 games over five seasons. Křížová had nine points in 24 games during her first season with the Whitecaps and was named the team’s PHF Foundation Award recipient. The 28-year-old Olympian from Horní Cerekev, Czechia recently won a second straight bronze medal at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, leading her team in scoring at the 2023 tournament with five points in seven games. Marshall was fifth in team scoring with 12 points in 24 games during her second season on the Whitecaps blue line. The 25-year-old from Thief River Falls, MN is a former University of Minnesota and Team USA U18 captain. Brodt also has experience representing her country, winning gold at the 2019 World Championship and competing in February’s Rivalry Series games against Canada. The 25-year-old from North Oaks, MN was a three-year captain at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was given the ‘C’ for her first PHF season where she recorded nine points in 21 games and led the Whitecaps all the way to the Isobel Cup final.
“It’s such a huge honor to play for my home state and to live out my dream as being a professional hockey player,” Brodt said. “It has been unbelievable to be a part of the growth of the PHF this past season. I’m so proud of where the league is going and I’m looking forward to the season! After the heartbreaking loss in the final, I can’t wait to get back to work with my teammates and build on what we accomplished last season. Our goal is to bring the Isobel Cup back to Minnesota!”
For the Minnesota @WhitecapsHockey to repeat their success from last season, internal growth will be the key.
✍️ @IanKennedyCKhttps://t.co/j0rubg3Vkb
— The Hockey News – Women’s (@TheHockeyNewsW) June 17, 2023
Three more returning players that signed last week have two-year deals, including Flanagan who signed for two years with Boston prior to the 2022-23 campaign but came to terms on a new contract extension through the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old from Burlington, MA is a two-time All-Star and was named PHF Defender of the Year with 16 points in 21 games. She also returned to the U.S. National Women’s Team for Rivalry Series games in December and February after winning gold for her country at the 2017 Worlds and 2018 Olympics. Reyes’ contract in Connecticut includes a salary of $70,000 plus a $5,000 signing bonus for the 2023-24 season, and a salary valued at $82,500 in 2024-25. The 26-year-old from Chino Hills, CA collected 17 points in 24 games during her first PHF season which was tied for fourth on the Whale. Tabin will earn $110,000 in each of her next two seasons in Toronto. This comes after the 26-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba led all PHF defenders in scoring with 18 points in 24 regular season games, then continued to lead her position during the Isobel Cup Playoffs with four points in four games helping T6 win its first title.
“Toronto is just a good spot for me,” Tabin said. “I think just after having a pretty good season, I liked what Toronto has to offer both on the team side and on the management side, with Angela James and Geraldine Heaney taking the lead in their respective roles. It’s pretty cool to have two females a part of our program and it’s a great organization, which is only continuing to grow. We have a couple of great owners too, so it’s a great place to be and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
🚨 TABIN STAYS IN TO 🚨
We are proud to announce that we’ve re-signed @kati_tabin to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $110,000!
📰:https://t.co/v0jwjZDQac#GotYourSix | @PHFpic.twitter.com/QZOYEtbBPZ
— Toronto Six 🏆 (@TheTorontoSix) June 12, 2023
Five more players are returning to the PHF on one-year contracts including Davis who will be back in Boston for a fourth season. The 26-year-old from Pembroke, MA was a first overall pick by the team back in 2020, has won two Isobel Cups, and most recently was named the team’s Foundation Award recipient after a career-high 14-point campaign. This will be Hlinka’s third season competing with her home state Whale. The 27-year-old from Stratford, CT, who is also a member of Slovakia’s National Women’s Team, chipped in three points last season in 23 games. Knott will play her first full season in Buffalo after the 5-foot-11 forward signed with the Beauts midway through the 2022-23 campaign. The 25-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ontario contributed two points in nine games and was among the team’s best in the face-off circle. Lum’s 2023-24 contract in Toronto includes a salary valued at $67,500. The 27-year-old from Richmond, British Columbia recorded 14 points in 24 games before adding two points in four postseason games. She’s a member of the Chinese National Women’s Team and was an alternate captain at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Of the group, Sauvé is the only returning PHF player signed to a one-year contract with a new team. The 27-year-old from Whitby, Ontario joins the Pride after a debut season with the Beauts that was limited by injury. In three appearances in 2022-23, the former Ohio State and Clarkson University backstop posted a .902 save percentage.
“I am extremely excited to be a member of the Boston Pride,” Sauvé said. “I am grateful to the staff, management, and ownership for their belief in me. Boston is an incredible sports city with a loyal and growing fan base. I can’t wait to get to Beantown, meet my teammates and put on the black and gold jersey. To the Boston faithful, I am ready to get to know you and I can’t wait to start our journey together towards the Isobel Cup.”
🚨SIGNING NEWS 🚨
Can’t spell Sauvé without save! Goaltender Kassidy Sauvé has signed with the Pride.
✍️: https://t.co/86LVOLusYR#PridePHF | @ksauve32pic.twitter.com/Xz8BBv5C9t
— Boston Pride (@TheBostonPride) June 14, 2023
