Sarah Fillier was already among the finest gamers within the Skilled Girls’s Hockey League, profitable Rookie of the 12 months and ending tied for first in scoring in her debut season.
Now, with a brand new two-year contract with the New York Sirens, she can also be the highest-paid participant within the league, in accordance with a supply briefed on the contract.
As The Athletic reported in June, the PWHL Gamers Affiliation voted to reveal salaries for the primary time within the league’s two-season historical past. Nevertheless, particular contract particulars haven’t been made publicly out there right now.
The Sirens introduced the Fillier signing on Thursday afternoon, with normal supervisor Pascal Daoust calling it a “milestone day” for the group.
“(It’s) a real privilege for the New York Sirens group and our followers to know that we’ll be constructing the long run right here in New York with Sarah,” Daoust stated in a press launch. “She brings distinctive expertise, management and a relentless will to win — qualities that can elevate each teammate and ignite pleasure in each fan. A novel particular person in a singular market, united by shared objectives and pushed by a typical of excellence.”
Signing Fillier, who was a restricted free agent after signing a one-year contract final season, was the most important piece of enterprise left for Daoust this offseason.
Fillier was the No. 1 choose within the 2024 PWHL Draft and has been extensively considered as a generational expertise, with three world championships and an Olympic gold medal. She’s a very smart middle with high-end offensive instruments and flexibility to play the wing. No participant had extra factors than Fillier throughout her rookie season; she completed tied with U.S. star Hilary Knight for the league lead with 29 factors in 30 video games.
On the PWHL Awards final month, Fillier was named to the all-rookie staff, a first-team all-star and was a finalist for Ahead of the 12 months — which went to Montreal captain and MVP Marie-Philip Poulin.
{That a} participant of her ilk initially signed such a short-term contract simply weeks earlier than coaching camp was set to start was shocking. However as The Athletic reported in November, Fillier was on the lookout for a two-year deal fairly than the three years most popular by the staff. In accordance with a supply, Fillier wished flexibility if the PWHL had been to develop – which it did, including two groups in Seattle and Vancouver — and time to determine if New York is the precise long-term match. The 2 events finally compromised with a one-year deal.
Eight months later, the choice seems to be like a savvy guess by Fillier, each when it comes to her incomes potential and New York’s trajectory.
The Sirens as soon as once more completed on the backside of the league standings final season, however Daoust was busy this offseason re-shaping the staff — and clearing cap area within the course of. New York misplaced top-six forwards Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge throughout the enlargement course of, in addition to beginning goalie Corinne Schroeder.
On the 2025 draft, New York chosen Kristýna Kaltounková with the No. 1 choose, including a bodily ahead with worldwide expertise and a heavy shot to carry extra offense to the Sirens lineup. New York then traded defender Ella Shelton to Toronto for the No. 3 choose, the place it chosen Patty Kazmaier winner Casey O’Brien, and later moved Abby Roque to Montreal for Crew Canada ahead Kristin O’Neill.
The result’s a roster with a gifted younger core that revolves round Fillier, who will now be with the Sirens by means of the 2026-27 season.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to what’s forward,” Fillier stated within the launch, “and persevering with to construct one thing nice within the Huge Apple.”
(Photograph: David Berding / Getty Photos)
