The Professional Women’s Hockey League unveiled its 2025‑26 postseason awards on Tuesday, handing out the league’s most prestigious individual honors to a cohort of players whose careers were forged in NCAA competition.
MVP and Goaltender of the Year
Aerin Frankel, a Northeastern alum, captured both the Billie Jean King MVP award and the Goaltender of the Year honor. She posted a PWHL‑record‑tying 19 wins, a 1.17 goals‑against average and a .953 save percentage, underscoring her dominance between the pipes.
Forward, Defender and Rookie Honors
Kelly Pannek, the former University of Minnesota captain, was named Forward of the Year after compiling 33 points in 30 games with a 27.6 percent shooting rate. Megan Keller, a Boston College graduate, earned Defender of the Year by setting a single‑season record for defenders with 22 points in 30 contests. Haley Winn, a Clarkson alumnus, took Rookie of the Year, logging a league‑best 802 minutes and 42 seconds of ice time while contributing 19 points.
Special Recognition Awards
Rebecca Leslie received the PWHL “Hockey for All” Award, while Marlène Boissonnault, Shiann Darkangelo, Emma Woods and Ashton Bell were collectively honored with the Intact Impact Award for their community and sport‑building contributions.
The league also announced its all‑star and all‑rookie teams, noting that all 18 selections were former college players, a testament to the strong pipeline from NCAA programs to the professional ranks.
A College‑Centric Legacy
The concentration of award winners from institutions such as Northeastern, Minnesota, Boston College and Clarkson reflects a broader trend: top talent is increasingly honed at the collegiate level before stepping onto the professional stage. This pattern not only elevates competition but also reinforces the role of university programs in developing the next generation of women’s hockey leaders.