2021-22
Record: N/A
Playoffs: N/A
Key Losses
N/A
Key Additions
Brooke Stacey, F
Everyone
2022-23 Preview
For the first time since 2020, there will be a new team playing in the PHF. The Montreal Force are the seventh franchise of the PHF, and the second team based in Canada. Now, normally I would ask 3 questions for the season upcoming, things to look out for. However, since this is a new team, I’m pretty sure that I’m not smart enough to ask the right questions for the Force heading into the season.
What I am going to do is discuss how new teams fair during their inaugural season in the PHF. Considering, the last new team was the Toronto Six, their first season was in 2020-21, they went on to accrue a record of 4-1-1 with a +7 goal differential. Very impressive, unfortunately they were bounced in the semifinals by the eventual champions Boston Pride that year. We should also look at the other previous new team that entered the league and what they did during their first year. The Minnesota Whitecaps were an established team, but joined the then NWHL in 2018-19. Their record? They went 12-4-0 with a +19 goal differential, and during the playoffs, would go on to defeat the Buffalo Beauts to win the Isobel Cup that year. Could it be a trend that continues with the Force now entering the league? It very well could be, history would be on their side.
As of writing this on 10/27, there is only one player on the Force that has any previous NWHL/PHF experience, and that player is forward Brooke Stacey. She previously played for the Buffalo Beauts in 2019-20 and 2020-21. She played 20 games, amassing 8 goals and adding another 9 assists for 17 points in those two seasons. It is definitely worth mentioning that a lot of the other players on the Force are PWHPA veterans and CWHL veterans, who all have the great ability to put the puck in the net.
It should be very interesting to see what shakes out this season upcoming for the Force. What rivalries will be formed during their first year? Who will score their first goal in franchise history? Who will be their leading scorer? All questions I can’t wait to see being answered as they take the ice. Welcome to the League Montreal Force!
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