By Janet Schultz, NYHOL
Recapping Women’s ice Hockey
Several women’s collegiate teams have taken to the ice in exhibition games opening the 2026-27 season with some great action.
Mercyhurst took on RPI and beat them 3-1 in both games opening weekend (Sept. 19-20).
This past weekend Clarkson beat RIT 6-3 in a season opener with Sara Manness and Layla Matthrews each getting a pair of goals in that game. RIT’s Zoe Ziotas, Addie Alvarez and Laura Dylie scored for RIT. Clarkson came back the following day and it was 8-1 over RIT. Two Golden Knights had hat tricks in the game, Raedyh Spadena and Jessie Pellese.
Syracuse beat Stonehill 2-0, the first win for the Orange’s new Head Coach Brian Idalski. Sophomore Ava Drabyk stopped 17 SOG for the “W”. In the second game it was a 4-1 over Stonehill and Syracuse is 2-0-0 overall to start the season.
The AHA has named Players of the Week for September 21-27 and they include two from New York, both from Syracuse University. Defenseman of the Week is Jessica Cheung and Goaltender of the Week is Ava Drabyk.
Cheung was the only Syracuse player to score a goal in each game of the weekend sweep of Stonehill. Drabyk earned two wins and one shutout on the weekend over Stonehill. Syracuse is the third AHA team to start the season 2-0-0.
PWHL
The Professional Womens Hockey League has announced they will host an All-Star Game on March 7, 2027 at the Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto. It will be a three-on-three tournament and ticket information will be released soon.
Vancouver has announced the appointment of Alison Izzi as General Manager. She replaces cara Gardner Morey who was named Head Coach of the team. Izzi is an attorney from Rhode Island who most recently worked with the NHL’s Legal Department.
Brett Sonne has been named an assistant coach with the Seattle Torrent. He formerly served as an assistant coach in the British Columbia Hockey League.
The New York Sirens will open at home on December 6 at the Prudential Center. It’s a 6:30 p.m. puckdrop against the Boston Fleet. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
The PWHL has scheduled their 2026-27 season to begin the weekend of December 5-6.
Hamilton, one of the new franchises, will host their home opener Sunday, December 13, with a 2 p.m. puck drop against the Ottawa Charge. They official open on the road December 5 against Walter Cup Champion Montreal.
Team USA
The Women’s National team will face the Canadian National team in IIHF Pre-Tournament play on October 28 and 30. One game will be played at the USA facilities in Plymouth, Michigan.
