Boston Fleet captain Megan Keller, teammate Haley Winn and the Vancouver Goldeneyes’ Sophie Jaques were named finalists for 2026 PWHL Defender of the Year honors on Wednesday.
The award is presented to the defender who showcases the most outstanding ability at the position throughout the regular season. A selection committee chose the finalists and the winner will be announced on June 16 in Detroit.
Keller, 30, matched a league record for the position with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and led all defenders with three game-winning goals. She ranked second in the PWHL with an average ice time of 26:40.
Winn, 22, finished her rookie campaign with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) and led all skaters in average ice time at 26:45. She finished fourth among league defenders with 45 blocked shots.
Jaques, 25, ranked second among blueliners with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 30 games for the expansion Goldeneyes. She was the only PWHL defender with multiple three-point games (two).
Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres won the Defender of the Year award last season over finalists Jaques and Claire Thompson of the Minnesota Frost.
–Field Level Media
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