Now in its second exciting season, the Professional Women’s Hockey League has already seen plenty of great action on the ice – and hockey card enthusiasts can add the PWHL’s biggest stars to their collections.
Fans can get in on the excitement as 2024 Upper Deck PWHL 1st Edition is now on store shelves. This inaugural set features the league’s top stars and prospects along with the inserts and parallels that hobbyists love.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest names in the PWHL and you can expect to find them all in packs of this historic release:
Taylor Heise and Kendall Coyne Schofield, Minnesota Frost
Tasked with defending their PWHL crown, the Minnesota Frost will face many challenges through the 2024-25 season and their stars are up for the task.
Taylor Heise was one of the PWHL’s breakout rookie performers last year. In the postseason, she won the Ilana Kloss Trophy as the Most Valuable Player. After being left off the scoring sheet in the season opener, she made sure to record assists in her next two appearances.
Another member of this talented squad is Kendall Coyne Schofield, who personifies leadership and serves as captain of the reigning champions. Known for her speed and skill, she got off to a hot start in 2024-25 with three points over three contests to bring the Frost to the top of the standings.
Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse, Toronto Sceptres
The newly-dubbed Toronto Sceptres are coming off a strong debut campaign where they captured the regular season crown. Their lineup boasts elite veteran talents such as reigning scoring champion Natalie Spooner and runner-up Sarah Nurse.
Since Spooner sustained an injury in last season’s playoffs, the Sceptres were without their offensive leader as they opened against Boston on Nov. 30, 2024. While the Fleet jumped out to an early lead, Nurse evened it up with a shorthanded goal. Ultimately, Toronto prevailed with two goals in the last two minutes of play.
Marie Philip-Poulin and Ann-Renée Desbiens, Montréal Victoire
Over the past decade, Ann-Renée Desbiens has proven to be one of the best netminders in the world as Canada captured gold at several international tournaments. She is joined on Montréal’s roster by one of the game’s all-time greats with Marie Philip-Poulin. A sure-fire Hall of Famer in the making, she finished third among all scorers with 23 points in 2023-24.
Last season, the pair helped their team to a second-place finish. When the regular schedule opened on Nov. 30, 2024, the Victoire faced a challenge from the Ottawa Charge. After three periods, Desbiens kept all but three pucks out of the net and sparkled before the game went to a shootout. She turned back every puck before Poulin potted the winning goal. As the two clubs battled again a week later, Poulin opened the scoring on the way to a tight 2-1 triumph.
Ella Shelton, New York Sirens
One of the top defenders in the PWHL, Ella Shelton was a First Team All-Star and aims to help the New York Sirens contend for a playoff spot once she returns from the injury list. Collectors can expect to find her among the 20 different Young Guns cards inside packs of 2024 Upper Deck PWHL.
A veteran of international competition, Shelton has won gold three times with Canada in the past four editions of the IIHF Women’s World Championship in addition to winning it all at the 2022 Olympics. During New York’s season opener against Minnesota on Dec. 1, she helped put the Siren on the board before storming to a 4-3 overtime victory.
Hilary Knight and Alina Müller, Boston Fleet
The Boston Fleet are looking for redemption in 2024-25 after they went the five-game limit in last year’s league Final against Minnesota. The club has experienced leadership in the form of Hilary Knight, who is not far removed from being the 2022-23 IIHF Female Player of the Year.
Boston’s roster features arguably the greatest player to hail from Switzerland in Alina Müller. Named the Swiss Ice Hockey Female of the Year on multiple occasions, she starred at Northeastern College before earning a PWHL All-Rookie Team nod in 2023-24.
After dropping their first two decisions by razor-thin margins, the Fleet defeated New York on Dec. 8. Even with Müller absent from the lineup, Knight set up a power play goal on the path to a 4-2 win.
A Big Season Ahead
All these star players will continue to dominate on the ice and as the league’s audience continues to grow, it’s only natural that fans will be clamoring for collectibles from their favorites. The 2024 Upper Deck PWHL 1st Edition is expected to be in high demand and bring you closer to the game than ever before!
