PWHL awards watch: Poulin, Fillier top MVP contenders at midway mark

It's time to take our first look at the various races for the PWHL's individual awards at the unofficial midway mark of the campaign as teams pause for the international break.

Billie Jean King MVP

Poulin has surged to the top of the MVP leaderboard with a magnificent run leading into the international break. The Montreal Victoire star has eight goals in her last seven games after starting the campaign with just two in her first seven contests. She paces the PWHL in goals by three over Toronto Sceptres forward Hannah Miller.

What's gone underappreciated is Poulin's two-way prowess. She's led an elite defensive unit, with the Victoire winning her five-on-five minutes 7-3. Poulin is shutting down the opposition's top units while also being the league's best goal-scorer.

Poulin is far from a runaway favorite, though. Fillier has been a sensation with the New York Sirens, and she leads the PWHL in scoring as a rookie. The 24-year-old is a significant reason why the Sirens have gone from last in 2024 to firmly in the playoff picture this season. Fillier has been the league's most dynamic offensive player, and her instant chemistry with linemate Alex Carpenter has been a joy to watch.

Carpenter missed Sunday's game against the Victoire due to an upper-body injury. If she's out for any extended period and Fillier keeps the Sirens afloat in her absence, it'll be tough to see any outcome where Fillier isn't MVP.

Multiple players are in the mix after Poulin and Fillier. Heise gets the nod at No. 3 here with her offensive impact with the Minnesota Frost, but teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield and Ottawa Charge goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer could easily slide into that third spot.

Defender of the Year

Thompson's immediate impact with the Frost has been a joy to watch. She didn't play a single game last season as she focused on her medical school studies, and now she leads all defenders in scoring in her return to pro hockey.

But Defender of the Year isn't just about the offense, and that's why Ambrose is the woman to beat for now. The Victoire blue-liner and reigning Defender of the Year continues to be the league's premier shutdown rearguard. Montreal has won her five-on-five minutes 9-2 despite Ambrose facing each team's top line nightly. Thompson, meanwhile, has been outscored 12-11 at five-on-five.

Keller, Renata Fast (Toronto), and Ella Shelton (New York) all remain in the mix.

Goaltender of the Year

Maschmeyer has been the PWHL's workhorse goaltender. She played in every Ottawa game last season and leads the league with 12 appearances this year. Not only has she played the most, but the 30.6 shots against per 60 she's faced are the most among goaltenders with at least two games played.

The veteran has stumbled slightly in her last two outings after a lights-out start to the campaign. Maschmeyer allowed four goals on 18 shots Saturday against Toronto and three on 20 versus New York last Monday. The Charge would be in dire straits without her exceptional play, but her grasp on Goaltender of the Year is slipping.

Desbiens is the top challenger while being a mantra of consistency. The Victoire netminder has posted a save percentage of .914 or better in every game since the season opener and has allowed two or fewer goals in her last eight contests. She has an absurd .946 SV% in six games since the start of 2025.

Schroeder posted back-to-back shutouts early in January and has been between the pipes for six of New York's seven wins. It shapes up to be a fantastic battle for the award.

Rookie of the Year

The PWHL can go ahead and engrave Fillier's name on the trophy. She might be the league's best player, let alone the best rookie.

In the race for second, Fleet forward Hannah Bilka is playing significant minutes on Boston's top line with veterans Susanna Tapani and Hilary Knight. Her injection of speed and offense to the lineup has been key.

Sirens defender Nylen Persson has seamlessly transitioned from the Swedish league and has been a strong fit alongside Micah Zandee-Hart on New York's top pairing. Victoire forward Jennifer Gardiner, Frost forward Britta Curl-Salemme, and Sceptres goaltender Raygan Kirk were also considered.

Coach of the Year

The Victoire have been the class of the PWHL. Cheverie has fully utilized her team's depth, a key development from last season when she took some heat for her heavy reliance on her top stars in the playoffs. Montreal is rolling with five straight wins entering the international break and has shown no signs of slowing down.

The PWHL's newest head coach, Fargo, took over a New York team that was good on special teams but struggled significantly at even strength last season. The Sirens remain the league's best on special teams and have taken a step at five-on-five, though it isn't yet an overall strength. Still, Fargo has been impressive in managing a lineup with a lot of new faces.

Klee has navigated injuries and illness to keep Minnesota a true contender to win the regular season.