Detroit’s New PWHL Team Makes Strong Start
The newly established PWHL team in Detroit, led by general manager Manon Rhéaume, has made an impressive start by securing four key player signings on the opening day of the league’s expansion signing window.
Key Player Signings
Among them, forward Daryl Watts has notably secured the first four-year contract in the league, marking a significant moment for the franchise.
Watts, a talented player from Toronto, brings an outstanding track record to Detroit after leading the Sceptres with 10 goals and 19 points last season. Her new contract, known as an Expansion Foundational Offer, guarantees her a minimum annual salary of $100,000, reflecting a considerable increase from her previous salary of $59,000. Not only does Watts rank second in league history with 32 career goals, but she also added an Olympic silver medal to her accolades at the Milan Cortina Games earlier this year.
Additionally, the team has welcomed Brianne Jenner, the former captain of Ottawa, who has signed a three-year standard contract with the new franchise. The 35-year-old athlete, a four-time Canadian Olympian, is returning closer to her roots in Oakville, Ontario, after a significant tenure in Ottawa.
The newest addition of goalie Kayle Osborne from New York also strengthens the team’s lineup with a standard three-year agreement. Detroit’s acquisition list continues with defender Cayla Barnes and forward Hannah Bilka, both teammates from Seattle, who will also don the Detroit colors under three-year and two-year standard agreements, respectively. Bilka has made headlines as a gold medalist in the Olympics, where she finished at the top of the tournament for goals scored.
Expansion Signing Process
Moreover, as part of the expansion signing process, San Jose has made its mark by signing Seattle goalie Corinne Schroeder and Ottawa defender Rory Guilday to two-year deals, leaving Las Vegas as the only franchise yet to sign any players this expansion period.
With Detroit’s strategic signings, the team’s foundation for future success in the PWHL is taking shape, featuring a mix of both seasoned veterans and promising young talent.
