2021-22
Record: 6-13-1 19pts
Playoffs: Lost in Semi-Finals
Key Losses
Jonna Albers, F
Audra Morrison, F
Lexie Laing, F
Key Additions
Denisa Krizova, F
Natalie Snodgrass, F
Sidney Morin, D
2022-23 Preview
3 Questions:
Will the Whitecaps improve?
Coming off a Isobel Cup finals defeat at the hands of the Boston Pride in 2021, it seemed that the Whitecaps were prepped and ready to stride towards their revenge the following season. Sadly, they did not have a good year. They started off with 7 defeats in their first 8 games (a 5 game losing streak at one point during that stretch.) Later on, they would also suffer two separate 3 game losing streaks towards the end of the year (Also losing 4 of their last 5 games.) On paper, they look like an improved team, and they still have long time goalie Amanda Leveille in-between the pipes. Also, a familiar face returns to the blue line this season in Amanda Boulier. I expect them to be much better when the season starts.
Where will the scoring come from?
I ask this question because three of their top scorers from last season are not on the team. As of writing this on 10/27, Jonna Albers, their leading points scorer has not signed on for the season upcoming. Leading goal scorer Allie Thunstrom will be playing for the Boston Pride. And Audra Morrison is now retired, (A well deserved one, best of luck on her next chapter.) There are only two remaining players that had double digit points, Ashleigh Brykaliuk and Taylor Turnquist, both are re-signed for the year upcoming. Depth scoring is always needed on good hockey teams to make a deep run. Just have to wonder where it will come from.
What will Ashleigh Brykaliuk’s season look like?
Ashleigh Brykaliuk was really good for the Minnesota Whitecaps last season. In her 20 games, she tallied 3 goals and added 11 assists for 14 points on the year. In her 2 playoff games, she did add a goal. Having previously mentioned that the top three scorers from last season are now gone, it would be safe to assume that Brykaliuk will definitely have an increased role. She is a proven goal scorer and point getter, as throughout her career, and everywhere she’s gone, she has never had a lower than 0.70 points per game. She knows how to find the back of the net and she knows how to set up her teammates. She’ll need to continue that trend, as the Whitecaps will more than likely be heavily leaning on her abilities.
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