Amanda Kessel, Phil’s sister, has a great talent for hockey. That said, last year, she didn’t play in the CFHL. Instead, she was a special assistant to Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh.
Her management experience led to rumours of her becoming GM of the Minnesota women’s team in the WHL.
We don’t know if that’s still on the table, but should the talented player ever decide to play, her rights now belong to Montreal, who took a chance on her on the heels of last night’s penultimate draft pick. #HailMary
Should she ever make it to Montreal, she could be a dangerous weapon for the Quebec club, given her talent. After all, we could see her playing on the first line, if she ever arrives in town.
Nothing is certain, but the Montreal club has set its sights on the circuit with its latest draft pick.
As for the rest of the draft, seven players have been added to the Montreal roster. Cayla Barnes fills a defensive need, and three forwards follow in the middle of the pack.
Two defensive players preceded Kessel in the final round.
Our 2024 draft picks 😎
Your 2024 PWHL Montreal draftees pic.twitter.com/Nt9xcxwQCw
– LPHF Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) June 11, 2024
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What’s also noticeable is that only one Canadian is coming to town. Out of seven players, five are American, one is Swedish and forward Jennifer Gardiner is from Canada.
The BC player has, however, played in the USA for Ohio State in recent years.
In other words, no player who has played in Canada has been chosen by Montreal. This is not an isolated case, however, as only New York has chosen a player who played in Canada this season.
Quebecer Emmy Fecteau was a sixth-round pick by New York. DG Pascal Daoust made the announcement in both languages.
Emmy Fecteau is the only Quebecer and also the only player from the Canadian university network (USports) to have been selected in this second LPHF draft. #LPHF #PWHL
– Pat Laprade (@PatLaprade) June 11, 2024
Despite Concordia’s historic season, only one player had her name called in the program’s draft. No other Canadian program has drafted a girl.
Will any of them sign after the draft? Possibly.
Of course, we know it’s different from the men’s reality, since the guys have either the NCAA or the CHL as options. In the case of girls, there’s no junior here and Canadian hockey isn’t at the level of American hockey. So the good players go to the NCAA.
But with three pro clubs in the LPHF in this country, you have to wonder whether we shouldn’t be pushing harder to have a program worthy of the name. That’s easier said than done, but the reality is that university options in Canada are virtually non-existent for the best players.
In bursts
– That’s right.
For Connor McDavid, it’s now the Oilers against the rest of the world! 😤🔵🟠pic.twitter.com/bDrVFhaIwt
– RDS (@RDSca) June 11, 2024
– Exactly.
Oilers need to win 4 of their next 5 games.
The Panthers 2? Of their next 5.
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) June 11, 2024
– David Quinn as Pittsburgh assistant?
Hearing that former #NYR and SJ coach David Quinn will be joining Mike Sullivan’s staff in Pittsburgh.
Reunited with Erik Karlsson, who won a Norris Trophy playing for Quinn in 2022-23
– Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 11, 2024
– Interesting.
Canada’s new women’s soccer circuit, the Northern Super League, announces a multi-year agreement with RDS, TSN, Radio-Canada and CBC to televise games.
– Alexandre Pratt (@alexandrepratt) June 11, 2024
– Two wins away from $500,000.
Kyle Okposo had a special clause in his contract with the Sabres.
At 36, he can now dream of the Stanley Cup with the Panthers.https://t.co/MDAKXtS0Jh
– J-F Chaumont (@JFChaumontLNH) June 11, 2024