At 23, Anne Cherkowski has already become a recognizable name in women’s hockey, blending skill, vision and a competitive drive that has taken her from the small town of Coldstream, British Columbia, to the national stage.
A New Chapter in a Growing League
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is entering an ambitious phase, adding franchises in Hamilton, Detroit and Las Vegas while building on the momentum of its inaugural season. This expansion offers players a clearer pathway to professional stability and visibility.
Cherkowski’s signing with the San Jose franchise comes after a rookie season with the New York Sirens that showcased her adaptability and poise under pressure. She recorded nine points — two goals and seven assists — across 28 games, a performance that helped the Sirens draw record crowds, including an 18,006‑strong audience at Madison Square Garden, the largest attendance ever for a women’s hockey game in the United States.
Beyond club play, she has earned two medals with Canada, including a gold and a silver at the 2019 and 2020 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and she shares a longstanding professional relationship with San Jose’s head coach, Troy Ryan, who first noticed her talent during those international tournaments.
Her collegiate years at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, further honed her offensive instincts, where she skated in 168 games and amassed 147 career points, underscoring a consistency that translates well to the professional game.
Now, as she looks ahead to the upcoming season, Cherkowski expresses genuine excitement about joining an expansion team that aligns with her career aspirations, and she is eager to contribute to a league that is rapidly reshaping the landscape of women’s professional hockey.