Sirens Boost Offense: Kaltounkova 1st, Trade for 3rd

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    Sarah Fillier will have new offensive partners in New York as the Sirens have strengthened their roster, which was weakened by the expansion, by bringing in two of college hockey’s top talents in the first round of the PWHL draft on Tuesday night.

    With the top pick, the Sirens selected Kristyna Kaltounkova, a tough-forward with a powerful shot from Colgate. Shortly after, Sirens General Manager Pascal Daoust completed a trade with the Toronto Sceptres for the No. 3 pick to select Casey O’Brien, the Wisconsin center who was the MVP of women’s college hockey last season.

    “I’m really excited to start, knowing who’s on the roster,” expressed Kaltounkova from the Czech Republic, becoming the first European player ever picked as the No. 1 in the PWHL draft. “I’m eager to contribute immediately and make a significant impact.”

    Daoust exchanged top defenseman Ella Shelton to receive Toronto’s first and fourth-round picks, the 27th overall in the draft featuring eight teams and six rounds.

    These forwards fill a crucial offensive void after New York lost two of their top three scorers — Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge — along with goalie Corinne Schroeder to Seattle during the recent PWHL expansion and signing phase. Carpenter and Eldridge combined for 20 of the Sirens’ 71 goals last season, the fewest in the league.

    “Now we have more resources to utilize,” mentioned Daoust. “This was a chance for us to adapt and cover a new angle, and we’re delighted with the outcome.”

    Kaltounkova and O’Brien bring fresh talent to a team in dire need following two seasons at the bottom and struggling with crowd numbers while playing out of New Jersey. They join a defense-heavy lineup that also features Fillier, the previous year’s top pick, who tied for the PWHL lead with 29 points.

    “Sarah is a player I’ve admired growing up, and I’m thrilled to possibly be her teammate,” said O’Brien, noting their similar game vision.

    Additionally, the Sirens acquired two-way forward Kristin O’Neill and the 28th pick by trading Abby Roque to the Montreal Victoire.

    Clarkson defensemen solidified the top four picks, with Boston Fleet choosing Haley Winn at No. 2 and Montreal selecting Nicole Gosling at No. 4.

    Boston GM Danielle Marmer praised Winn for her versatility on a team impacted by the loss of four-time Olympian Hilary Knight and defenses Emily Brown and Sydney Bard to other teams.

    “She’s capable of doing anything on the ice,” Marmer stated of Winn, who has represented the U.S. national team since 19 and ranks high among Clarkson defenders. “From scoring to defending top players, Haley Winn could be the solution.”

    Ottawa Charge selected Cornell defenseman Rory Guilday at No. 5. The reigning champions, Minnesota Frost, then picked Quinnipiac defenseman Kendall Cooper at No. 6, adding offensive strength to a defense line impacted by player losses.

    The PWHL’s expansion teams entered next, with Vancouver selecting seasoned forward Michelle Karvinen, Finland’s top scorer in world championships, and Seattle picking Ohio State forward Jenna Buglioni.

    The draft coincided with impactful nominations in women’s hockey: U.S. national team alum Brianna Decker and Canada’s Jennifer Botterill were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, alongside Daniele Sauvageau, the first female in the builder’s category and Montreal Victoire GM. This marked an unprecedented inclusion of three women in a single class.

    Receiving news of her induction, Sauvageau recalled, “I couldn’t speak. The emotions were overwhelming as they explained my selection.”

    Across the draft, 23 from the U.S. and 17 from Canada were among the 48 selected, including Russians Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova by Ottawa. Shokhina, 28, frequently led Russia’s women’s league in scoring.

    Charge GM Mike Hirshfeld noted extensive scouting of the two players, with Shokhina rated as the fourth-best prospect.

    The Sirens’ first-round strategy was the highlight of the PWHL’s third draft.

    Kaltounkova reunites with Sirens coach Greg Fargo, who coached her at Colgate, where she leaves as the career-leading scorer with 111 goals and second in points at 223 over five seasons.

    At 23, she aspires to be a role model for aspiring hockey players in the Czech Republic, where she debuted for the national team in the world championships this past April.

    “I hope young girls see that success isn’t limited to Americans or Canadians,” said Kaltounkova. “It should motivate them, proving that it’s possible.”

    O’Brien, the Patty Kazmaier award recipient, closed the season leading with 88 points and surpassed Wisconsin’s career points record held by Knight.

    Toronto traded their star goalie Kristen Campbell and their third-round pick to Vancouver, who had already added Ottawa starter Emerance Maschmeyer. In exchange, Toronto received Vancouver’s No. 16 and 23 picks.

    By acquiring Shelton, a finalist for PWHL’s defender of the year in 2024, the Sceptres significantly enhanced their defense alongside national team player Renata Fast, both Beijing 2022 gold medalists.