It was an unusually long offseason for PWHL players. In Boston, several members of the Boston Fleet, and players from around the league often came together to train and skate.
Several PWHL players from different teams throughout the league found themselves training with their opponents this offseason.
The six month offseason was unusual for many PWHL players, who weren’t used to having this much time off in between seasons. However the offseason was particularly unique for those who spent their summer in Boston training together.
Megan Keller was one of the players who participated in unofficial training this summer.
“There was a big group of us that skated together this summer,” said Keller. “We got to spend some time together, playing with each other and battling against each other.”
Keller wasn’t the only player from the Fleet that practiced with the group over the offseason. Goaltenders Emma Söderberg and Cami Kronish both trained with the group as well.
“We were all working out together and skating together, but it was a longer off season than I had ever experienced before,” Soderberg said. “Trying to pace that out and figure out how long do we have to rest and when to kick it back into gear was interesting. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a big group of girls here, that we were able to train with.”
Many players returned to their home state or country during the off-season. Lexie Adzija and Taylor Girard both left the city once the season was over.
“I took the month of June off the ice and started skating again in July, but was in the gym the whole time,” said Adzija, who returned to Canada to train at home.
While she took time off skating, Adzija said she has a passion for the gym and was lifting regularly.
Similarly, Girard, who had suffered an injury in the regular season, spent her summer getting back to full strength.
“I couldn’t really do a lot to start off,” said Girard. “When I actually got home to Michigan, I got in the gym but it looked a lot different than what my typical off-season would be like. I couldn’t really get on the ice for a while.”
Girard returned to the ice at the end of August and said she’s ready to fully participate in training camp this week.
Although there was no exact roster for the informal training sessions in Boston, several other Fleet players skated alongside.
Starting goaltender Aerin Frankel was one of them.
“There were a handful of us in Boston this whole summer, Megan Keller and myself, some players from other teams as well that were living here. We all trained together in the weight room and on ice,” said Frankel.”Then, as more people started trickling in we had more players skating together.”
Training with their opponents was unusual, however Frankel said it was beneficial.
“I think bringing different people together during the off season, seeing new faces and hearing from different coaches who you aren’t coached from during the year is always good. Especially to have a little different perspective.”
The teams reported to training camp on November 12th to begin preparation for the second PWHL season. Many of the PWHL players are now preparing to face off against the people that they trained with all summer.
Frankel summed up the experience and said, “I think we were all super welcoming of having them skate with us. If we were in their city, we’d want to be a part of their training too.”