If Sarah Fillier’s ambitions involve becoming the top women’s hockey player globally, the New York Sirens center remains unsatisfied despite her impressive performance in her debut season in the PWHL where she tied with Hilary Knight for the league lead with 29 points. Instead of dwelling on her success, Fillier spent the off-season reflecting on missed opportunities that led to New York finishing at the bottom of the standings for the second consecutive year.
<p"Reflecting on moments where I had the chance to make a difference but couldn't capitalize on them, it's clear that those instances shape you if you aim to be the best," said the 25-year-old, highlighting how critical moments impacted their season during a nine-game losing streak.
The former Princeton standout and 2022 Team Canada Olympic gold medalist, Fillier, is determined to lead the Sirens to a better season as they start their third PWHL campaign in Ottawa. The team has bolstered its roster with top draft picks, including Kristyna Kaltounkova and Casey O’Brien, selected with the first and third picks, respectively, in the draft.
Additionally, the acquisition of Anne Cherkowski, a second-round pick with an impressive college record, adds depth to the Sirens’ forward lineup, making them one of the league’s strongest young forward groups.
Despite losing key veteran players through trades and expansion, such as Alex Carpenter, Jessie Eldridge, Ella Shelton, and Abby Roque, the Sirens have built a promising lineup around Fillier, Kaltounkova, O’Brien, Kristen O’Neill, and Cherkowski, offering Coach Greg Fargo multiple options for his top lines.
The team’s move to inject fresh talent comes after facing challenges in both performance and fan engagement while playing in Newark, New Jersey.
Coach Fargo is particularly familiar with Kaltounkova, having coached her at Colgate previously. Kaltounkova, a Czech Republic native, brings a wealth of experience from her college career, setting records and demonstrating exceptional scoring ability.
O’Brien, a playmaking center from New York City, returns home with a strong track record from her standout season at Wisconsin, leading the nation in points.
The Sirens have also reinforced their defense with returning players like Micah Zandee-Hart, Maja Nylen Persson, and Jaime Bourbonnais, along with the addition of Jincy Roese in free agency.
In the goaltending department, the team faces a youthful transition after the departure of Corinne Schroeder, with Kayle Osborne leading the charge alongside rookies Callie Shanahan and Kacey Doyle.
Fillier, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, is eager to contribute to New York’s success after signing a new contract, expressing optimism about the team’s potential and the vision set by Coach Fargo.
“With the talent we have, especially from our college recruits, we have the makings of a formidable roster,” Fillier stated, emphasizing her commitment to the team’s journey.
