Toronto lands top PWHL free agent Watts on 2-year contract

PWHL Toronto signed top free agent Daryl Watts to a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.

Watts scored 10 goals and 17 points in 24 games last season with Ottawa. The 25-year-old tied for fourth in goals league-wide with Montreal stars Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey.

"Daryl had a great season with Ottawa," Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury said. "She is an incredible offensive threat that has proven herself in this league. We felt adding some offense to our roster was an important piece to the puzzle."

A Toronto native, Watts returns home after playing for the PHF's Toronto Six in 2022-23. She briefly retired following her collegiate career before signing with the Six in January 2023.

"Toronto is my home," Watts said. "Having grown up here watching the Toronto Maple Leafs makes returning to Toronto to play professional hockey a dream come true."

Watts won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the best women's college hockey player in 2018 and was a finalist in three other seasons. She ranks fifth among the NCAA women's all-time scoring leaders with 297 points in 172 career games between Boston College and Wisconsin.

Despite her collegiate success, Watts has yet to represent Canada at a major international event. Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan hold the same positions with the Canadian national team.

Ottawa drafted Watts 32nd overall in the inaugural PWHL draft last September.

PWHL free agency opened Friday morning.