As the echoes of Frank Sinatra’s timeless “New York, New York” faded after a 5-2 preseason victory against Toronto, Sarah Fillier took her place at the podium to discuss her impressive performance, which included three goals. This outing offers a promising glimpse of the potential this rookie, selected first overall in the draft, holds for her Sirens team, a franchise looking to improve as it embarks on its second season in the PWHL, beginning with a challenge against the reigning champions, Minnesota Frost, this Sunday.
“I’m really pleased with how everything unfolded during the game,” Fillier reflected after netting a shorthanded goal, a power-play goal, and an even-strength goal during her debut match. The 24-year-old aims to consistently be a threat on the ice, and she was excited to see her line contribute significantly.
With a reputation as a generational talent and a three-time Patty Kazmaier Award finalist at Princeton, Fillier is expected to make an impact. Her Olympic debut was notable as she scored eight goals, contributing to Canada’s gold medal win in 2022, and she proudly holds titles as a three-time world champion.
Reflecting on her new partnership on the ice, U.S. national team veteran and Sirens forward Alex Carpenter expressed her enthusiasm. “Playing alongside her is much better than trying to stop her,” Carpenter remarked, emphasizing their instant chemistry since joining forces during training camp.
The Sirens are looking to move past the struggles of their inaugural season, in which they played home games across three venues. After a promising start with a 4-0 victory over Toronto, the team only managed four more wins in regulation, while also allowing a troubling 67 goals against and scoring the least number of even-strength goals in the league.
Fillier is ready to take on the challenges that come with being part of a team that finished at the bottom of the standings last season. “While they might have ended in last place, I feel like I hit the jackpot joining this team,” she said, expressing optimism about the potential for growth and improvement within the team this year.
The current focus for the Sirens extends beyond just Fillier. The team has undergone significant changes, including a coaching shift with Greg Fargo from Colgate stepping in for Howie Draper. With a new identity, including a fitting nickname, the Sirens now boast a permanent home at the Prudential Center, home of the NHL’s Devils, following previous stints in Bridgeport and at UBS Arena.
Incorporating talent from abroad, the Sirens have welcomed Swedish defenseman Maja Nylen Persson and Finnish forward Noora Tulus to their lineup, strengthening their connection with international hockey while contributing new skills to the team.
“Change is in the air, and it’s for the best,” said defenseman Ella Shelton, pointing out that the mental challenges of the previous year are now behind them. With fresh perspectives and new faces, the team is eager to unite and concentrate solely on their performance. Shelton notably led PWHL defensemen in goals during the last season while Carpenter topped the league in assists.
In goal, Corinne Schroeder showcased her talent with a .930 save percentage, though she faced a high volume of shots, which influenced her goals-against average.
The path to success for the Sirens in this new season comes with its challenges. Last year’s fast-paced preparations presented hurdles, especially with the team’s members scattered across different areas for practice and games. This led to inconvenient travel arrangements, impacting fan attendance as they recorded the lowest numbers in the league.
Now relocated closer to their practice facility in New Jersey, the Sirens are working to cultivate connections with local youth hockey programs, thereby nurturing community support. The proximity of these team facilities has encouraged more efficient travel logistics, proving beneficial for road trips.
“We just got to the airport, and it took everyone about 25 minutes to get here individually,” commented general manager Pascal Daoust, alluding to the new ease of travel. When questioned about the team’s potential for improvement, he responded with a light-hearted, “Why not? There’s nowhere to go but up.”