Not really being invested in watching women's hockey besides a few medal games over the years, I thought id check out a few of the Toronto games at the start of the season. I didn't miss a game for the rest of the year and Natalie Spooner was a huge reason for keeping me hooked.. Hoping she doesn't miss much time next year.
@gamedayhockey17 сағат бұрын
That’s awesome to hear, and she definitely was a big reason for the success of the league. I’m crossing my fingers as well, she deserves another great season.
@pyRoy62 күн бұрын
I'm so choked for Ottawa.
@markd84692 күн бұрын
Toronto will be a force! 3-4 lines that can do damage. Name another team with that depth
@leecox62412 күн бұрын
Ottawa
@Daemonkryn2 күн бұрын
Great interview. She's one of the players that I'm most excited to see next season. Toronto in general looks like it'll be really interesting. I'm really curious to see what kind of lines they come up with to make the most out of all this new talent.
@gamedayhockey2 күн бұрын
Agreed, they've got players who could play top line minutes or be used on a third line/special teams (Woods, Miller, Connors, Daniel, Maltais)
@wordspics2 күн бұрын
Definitely a keeper!
@guillaumelevasseur2772 күн бұрын
Sauvageau on 98,5 FM tonight saying PWHL Montreal has a waiting list of 7000 people for season tickets for 2024-2025.
@guillaumelevasseur2772 күн бұрын
she's also referencing to the injuries for the team and saying some of her injured players might start the next season on the injury list. (Laskova is the only signed injured player I know of, but I'm spitballing.)
@gamedayhockey2 күн бұрын
@@guillaumelevasseur277 Marchment perhaps? I wonder how serious Laskova’s injury is…
@guillaumelevasseur2772 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey marchment is possible for sure.
@guillaumelevasseur2772 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey My guess for a one-year plus injury would be an ACL injury, but that's also a bit of a shot in the dark.
@gamedayhockey2 күн бұрын
@@guillaumelevasseur277 I agree. I'm also wondering if Spooner might miss the entire next season - no one has said anything but an ACL can be 9 months, which would be February, and recovering fully to return to high speed contact sports could be a year. I'm gutted to think about this.
@guillaumelevasseur2773 күн бұрын
people who are skeptical about Minnesota's draft should watch this, Claire Thompson is very articulate, feels like she'll be a left-handed Ambrose for them. Don't discount that!
@gamedayhockey3 күн бұрын
Oh, she's 100% a great player, she was going to go in the first round for sure because Montreal would've loved to reunite her with Ambrose.
@jeanlanglois78923 күн бұрын
I wish her well, but you see how even backup goalies like Abstreiter and Howe got little playing time, only Rooney was able to get double digits. All six teams have their #1 signed until the end of 2025-2026, we'll see if there's a changing of the guard through releases or expansion the following season
@toddrowe96704 күн бұрын
Thanks so much for making these available. I learn so much more hearing all of the responses, it really helps to learn who the players are.
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
You’re very welcome! Thanks for the feedback. 🏒💜
@guillaumelevasseur2773 күн бұрын
Curtl just always comes out as "cocky" for a lack of a better word, so she might play with an edge......
@cpnstbn12664 күн бұрын
Sounds like they’re using the singular names to kind of copy the WNBA but the WNBA names are fine somehow, whereas these are just absolutely terrible.
@onyxdragon4 күн бұрын
Thanks for posting this. I am happy you were able to interview Elle Hartje - one of the very few Michiganians chosen in the PWHL draft from the past two seasons . She's going to be an amazing player on and off the ice with her great personality and charisma with her devotion and dedication to the sport of hockey.
@richardlaub8894 күн бұрын
Question for GameDay Hockey. In one of the interviews a draftee mentioned the physicality of the league. I wonder if that will hurt national teams like Canada and the USA if they continue that physicality in World play and the referee's are from countries that frown on that type of style. You have to admit that the PWHL really took it up a notch. Look at the men's game as an example, no fighting or real bullying in World play which favors skating and style. Men's teams like Canada and the USA are now getting beat by these teams with finesse players.
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
I had an answer typed out and then I lost it. Basically, I do think there is a middle ground and already the PWHL has shifted a little bit away from the all-out hitting at the start. However, yes, the North American players do need to adapt. But also many of them have played in the NCAA and are used to that standard, and as well, many of the European players played in the SDHL where there is more hitting. And also, there isn’t the size discrepancy among the women like there would be from a small male player to a huge person like Matt Rempe. The women’s game is already more skill-based and so I think many of these factors will even things out. The bigger difference will be when other countries like Czechia and Switzerland and Sweden start to produce more players who join the PWHL and the sport continues to grow in those countries.
@richardlaub8894 күн бұрын
Before she even answers one question, Britta looks like she ready to jump down someone's throat. She is taking a defensive posture and yet no one had the balls to ask the hard question. Journalism today is apprehensive about the hard questions. Thanks for posting this.
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
No worries - I know you were waiting for this one! Yes, she looked a little defiant, which might not be a bad thing on the ice. :)
@markd84694 күн бұрын
That’s gotta suck. Team Canada star stuck in Minnesota!
@richardlaub8894 күн бұрын
Remind me, who won the PWHL Championship this year? Minnesota is just like Canada except we are farther north than Toronto and It's an entire state that cheers on our team and not just a big city and some suburbs. You have a nice day Mark. Love all your classic rock videos...Or should I say Classic AMERICAN Rock Videos. Minnesota Nice is our motto, except maybe me.
@markd84694 күн бұрын
@@richardlaub889 Wow! So you have “one” state that loves hockey! We have a whole country!
@leecox62414 күн бұрын
@@richardlaub889Minnesota nice with Bitter Girl on your team? How deliciously ironic!😂
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
You guys argue this amongst yourselves lol
@richardlaub8894 күн бұрын
@@leecox6241 You're not ready to do battle with me...Have a nice day and Bless You.
@Daemonkryn4 күн бұрын
Not related to the video directly, but I like your framed jerseys in the background. What jerseys do you have in your collection?
@gamedayhockey3 күн бұрын
Thank you! I have an autographed Hayley Wickenheiser jersey from Team Canada 1998 (Klara asked me about that one as well!) and the others are PWHL Toronto and Montreal. I have a few others (Maple Leafs, NHL) but I'm not really a collector. The Wickenheiser is my favorite because I worked with a women's hockey company that got it signed specifically for me. Those original Canadian players are very special to me.
@JustinCaesar4 күн бұрын
i am ready to see what is coming for the next season lets go minnesota
@guillaumelevasseur2774 күн бұрын
so Ian Kennedy came out with his story about a possible conflict of interest today. He seems to imply that agents are worried about such a muddled situation. Maybe the agent that you interviewed would know more about that? I've asked some contacts in the management world about the notion of conflict of interest and it seems it varies from organisation to organisation, so the question would be what stance the pwhl and hockey canada have about such thing and/or if there should be something done to address concerns if they really exist.
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
I’m going to wait for a little more clarity, just as with the Natalie Darwitz situation, there are some things we may never know as to the timing of who said what. A conflict of interest is possible in a lot of ways but it seems people know some parts but not others.
@guillaumelevasseur2774 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey fair enough. The article is very nuanced if ever you want to understand the concerns expressed and their potential relevance. English being my second language, I'm happy that someone researched and expressed what I instictively deduced.
@androi13404 күн бұрын
Pretty lady
@guillaumelevasseur2774 күн бұрын
Ottawa signed a free agent goalie today, so there is hope yet, but one less roster spot to fill. Modo is a great club in sweden ! Thanks for the interview.
@gamedayhockey4 күн бұрын
Klára is well deserving of a tryout on my opinion. There’s nothing to lose to see how she fares next to the other goalies.
@guillaumelevasseur2774 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey good luck to her!
@guillaumelevasseur2774 күн бұрын
minnesota went with 4 goalie last year, nothing to lose by trying out of course.
@markd84695 күн бұрын
I love these picks. NY will not be basement dwellers this season. Who knows they might just win it all! Toronto sure loaded up though!
@gamedayhockey5 күн бұрын
I think overall New York had the best draft, they got Maja Nylén Persson after trading down and gained an extra pick. A couple of sneaky good picks and Fillier is going to be incredible!
@gamedayhockey5 күн бұрын
Even though three other goalies were drafted, they may or may not sign ahead of camp. Klára would be a great addition to invite and see how she does on the ice with these others ahead of finalizing rosters.
@richardlaub8895 күн бұрын
A lot of adversity. How many teams still need a good goalie? She deserves a chance.
@richardlaub8895 күн бұрын
Did Minnesota even have a press conference for their draftees?
@gamedayhockey5 күн бұрын
Yes, as I mentioned! It's coming up next, takes a while to get through all of these, thank you for your patience!
@richardlaub8895 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey Sorry not trying to rush you...Really didn't know if they had a press conference or not. I assumed they skipped it.
@gamedayhockey5 күн бұрын
@@richardlaub889 No worries at all, I have so much footage and clips from the draft and awards, it's taking me a long time. Sorry that Minnesota is the last one, hope you enjoyed these anyway! Always so nice to see the happiness on draft day.
@Mrmapleleaffan136 күн бұрын
When Noemi scores it will be history in the making because she will be the first European player to play and score for PWHL Toronto also thr chants I hear it now Nemo has found the back of the net reference to “Finding Nemo”
@gamedayhockey6 күн бұрын
You can tell that she is going to be a fan favorite for sure.
@markd84697 күн бұрын
She’s gonna lay a “whole lotta hurt” on those who choose to enter the Ottawa “D”zone. Keep your heads up Spooner and company!
@richardlaub8897 күн бұрын
Did Minnesota even hold a press conference? Their first round pick was not there and I believe a couple other players drafted by Minnesota also were not there. Britta Curl...They probably didn't want her to face questions that day.
@gamedayhockey7 күн бұрын
They did, it’s coming up shortly with both Curl and Ken Klee. Claire Thompson was available remotely.
@leecox62417 күн бұрын
She is going to be a fan favourite and she hasn’t even stepped on the ice!
@markd84698 күн бұрын
So Toronto now has 3 players who scored hat tricks last year. Spooner, Nurse, Watts. They are going to be a force this year
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
Good point! and two Patty Kazmeier winners, Izzy and Daryl. although Minnesota and Boston have three.
@Jos_Blo8 күн бұрын
I love that we got Cayla but we missed big time by not picking Emmy Fecteau in the 5th round 😥 I’m sure she is gonna be great with New York.
@markd84698 күн бұрын
Ronja is going to lay a lot of hurt on anyone crossing into the Ottawa zone
@leecox62417 күн бұрын
I believe the politically correct term is “grit”. 😂
@michaelnextdoor87267 күн бұрын
😉 sounds great!!!!
@georgiabeauchemin25588 күн бұрын
This is going to be AWESOME! I totally see what Toronto was going for the team atmosphere. They all are SO lovely! Loveliness tends to come out on the ice as hunger! Absolutely 10000% can’t wait and with Watts… We’re going to have a WILD team! 😀😀😀
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
georgia the super fan!!! love it!
@jeanlanglois78928 күн бұрын
Not surprised to see Watts go elsewhere, but I had the impression she was going to the highest bidder and from what was reported she took a discount to play home in Toronto
@leecox62418 күн бұрын
She would be taking a discount anywhere she played in the PWHL.
@markd84698 күн бұрын
Of course she wants to play in Toronto! With that lineup
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
As many have pointed out, there just aren’t that many dollars, these aren’t six-figure contracts. Location, opportunity, personal fit are the deciding factors.
@markd84698 күн бұрын
Good points, everyone probably wants to play close to home if possible
@guillaumelevasseur2778 күн бұрын
@@markd8469 the reality is That even the highest paid player in the pwhl would make less than half their money in the league if they play for team Canada. Also if Watts own property in Toronto going elswhere for 10k or less might not make sense(my understanding is100 k stipend for team Canada)
@guillaumelevasseur2779 күн бұрын
if Daryl Watts and Emma Woods make team canada and are both on Toronto, it raises some red flags in my mind. The stipend for making team canada is quite high and that would put Kingsbury and Ryan in somewhat of a apparent conflict of interest. (per Ian Kennedy's X post).
@3dogcats8 күн бұрын
Maybe it means she likes them as players?
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
They were invited to a summer camp, not guaranteed a spot. And probably others were invited who (gasp) WEREN'T signed by Toronto.
@guillaumelevasseur2778 күн бұрын
@@gamedayhockey i expected somewhat more robust pushback since watts is from toronto or lives their from what people told me, but.... as I said.... MTL and OTT need to draft and use guile to compete!
@markd84698 күн бұрын
If Emma Woods make team Canada then we are in serious trouble. It’s not a knock against her but she’s 3 or 4th line at best on Toronto let alone Team Canada
@thenativechamp1009 күн бұрын
Not sure the hate on the Walter Cup champions. No way the fall to be the worst in the league
@guillaumelevasseur2779 күн бұрын
the inclusivity issue is very serious in many people's perspective, which is totally valid.
@thenativechamp1009 күн бұрын
@@guillaumelevasseur277 I’m sorry you feel that way and others. Minnesota will be just fine and run back another championship
@3dogcats8 күн бұрын
didn't say the worst, just that everything went right and could be expected to fall back a little. I don't think they drafted well.
@thenativechamp1008 күн бұрын
@@3dogcats already a championship core in place we drafted for depth. I believe Curl will be in the running for rookie of the year. Jaques and Thompson should be the best defenders in the league scoring many points.
@guillaumelevasseur2778 күн бұрын
@@thenativechamp100 to be honest I loved their style of play and commitement to defence last season and expect them to continue on that path.
@guillaumelevasseur2779 күн бұрын
Rumors are Watts to Toronto (the rich get richer), Adzija signed in boston. Mtl would probably sign Gardiner next if they are not getting Watts.... Defense seems pretty locked down, but still a few spots on foward. Not a Grant-Mentis fan but other Mtl fans like her. I also unpopularly prefer Bujold to David. Mtl has more free agents because everybody on the team got injured last season forcing them to sign replacement players to standard contracts( Injury to Bettez, Bujold, Laskova, notably). Will be interesting to see how Watts adapts to Ryan's defense first approach if she signs there. (Mtl and Ottawa....feels like they will neeed to build through the draft since it's seems Toronto is a power in the free agent market.)
@guillaumelevasseur2779 күн бұрын
and I still like minnesota despite their streakyness, will see if their depth holds up wit everybody adding new players.(Heise took a step in the finals, if she plays that way all next season watch out!).
@leecox62418 күн бұрын
Watts did sign with a Toronto. Lexie signed with Boston?
@leecox62418 күн бұрын
No worries for Ottawa they made good use of the draft prospects.
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
@@leecox6241 Could see Ottawa signing Fratkin for some reason. Get nastier on D to make up for losing some offense.
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
Montreal also has Ljungblom coming.
@Stephens_Rocket9 күн бұрын
I can see Boston moving on from Fratkin, that doesn't surprise me too much
@richardlaub8899 күн бұрын
I think there will be many players switching teams. This will upset fans in local markets if they have became attached to these players. The wildcard team again is Minnesota because there is no GM so the Coach Klee will be in charge. I suspect he is putting together "His" dream team that fits his coaching scheme. Minnesota will get much better or they will finish last. Minnesota needs a GM! I at least hope Klee did his homework on these free agents. On the other hand, who really wants to go to a team in such chaos right now?
@leecox62419 күн бұрын
Add to that the new draftees! More foreign names to learn how to not misspell!😂
@gamedayhockey8 күн бұрын
@@leecox6241 Hymlarová Hymlárová
@markd84698 күн бұрын
they will finish last, all other teams improved, and have a solid structure system in play
@richardlaub8898 күн бұрын
@@markd8469 I might take that comment back now that I know Ottawa has lost some really good players...Minnesota will finish 2nd to last or win it all. Klee says he has a plan and his "Girl Friday" or Bat Girl to his Batman (Coyne) will help him make the roster for 2024-25 season. Gulp!