Montreal Dominates Midseason PWHL Award Choices

pat laprade

Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 2:11 p.m. PST·3 min read

With Montreal playing its 15th game of the season, the last team to do so, and with no more breaks before the World Championship, I thought it was a good timing to put out my version of the mid-season awards.

Billie Jean King MVP Award

Ann-Renee Desbiens (Montreal)

The big difference between the Victoire and the other teams is the number of goals conceded. Even though they only have the third-best offence, they lead the way in goals differential with +14. And the team owes it in large part to its number one goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens. She hasn’t allowed more than two goals in her last nine games, and leads all goalies in every important category. She’s the most valuable player in Montreal this season and because of Montreal’s ranking, which makes her the de facto most valuable player in the PWHL.

Honourable mentions: Hannah Miller, Reneta Fast, Marie-Philip Poulin

Forward of the Year Award

Sarah Fillier

Even though Marie-Philip Poulin leads the league in goals and game-winning goals, and even if Hannah Miller is currently the leading scorer, it’s hard not to give this award to the only player with an average of more than one point per game. Especially when that player is a rookie. Despite Alex Carpenter’s absence, Fillier continues to rack up points.

Honourable mentions: Marie-Philip Poulin, Hannah Miller, Taylor Heise,

Defender of the Year Award

Renata Fast (Toronto)

Fast leads her peers offensively with 16 points in 18 games. She leads all players in the league with a resounding 40 hits. And if it wasn't for Toronto's miserable start this season, she'd have a much better differential. She excels in all aspects of the game.

Honourable mentions: Claire Thompson, Megan Keller, Erin Ambrose

Goaltender of the Year Award

Ann-Renée Desbiens

It's hard not to give this award to Desbiens when she also gets the most valuable player award. She leads in wins, goals-against average and save percentage. She’s been spectacular so far this year.

Honourable mentions: Aerin Frankel, Emerance Maschmeyer, Corrine Schroeder

Rookie of the Year Award

Sarah Fillier

Fillier has been shut out only three times this season and has been in the mix for the top spot on the scoring leader board since day one. With 17 points in 16 games, no other rookie has had that impact on her team.

Honourable mentions: Jennifer Gardiner, Britta Curl-Salemme, Kayle Osborne

Coach of the Year Award:

Kori Cheverie

Her power play is far from the best, but it doesn’t matter. She wins. She knows her player better, how to utilize them more efficiently, and it shows. The fact that the Victoire is the only team over .500, with an eight-point lead, is telling to the success of the team and Cheverie is a huge part of that success.

Honourable mentions: Troy Ryan, Ken Klee, Greg Fargo