Blue Line Anchor: Haley Winn’s Arrival Heralds New Era for Boston Fleet

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With just a week remaining until the PWHL season three opener, teams are finalizing their 26-person rosters, and the Boston Fleet has high expectations for their newest cornerstone. The Fleet recently finished a set of tune-up scrimmages in Montreal as they prepare for their season debut this weekend at the Tsongas Center, and all eyes are fixed on top draft pick, defenseman Haley Winn.

Winn, drafted in the top-three last summer, is a major addition to the Fleet’s blue line and is already signed through the 2027-28 season. She represents a significant piece in General Manager Dannell Marmer’s subtle rebuild, with her solid all-around game expected to quickly win over Fleet fans. In Monday’s scrimmage, Winn totaled 23:29 of ice time and registered two shots on goal, demonstrating the high usage rate she is expected to command immediately. Since signing with the team, the Rochester, NY native has embraced her new city, spending time sightseeing and attending a Red Sox game over the summer.

Winn comes to Boston after a dominant four-season career at Clarkson University, where her production steadily climbed:

Freshman Year: She was fifth on the team in scoring with 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) in 37 games, earning the ECAC All-Academic Team, the team’s Rookie of the Year, and the Sword Award winner.
Sophomore Year: She played in 38 games, adding 6 goals and 17 assists, but her defensive prowess shone through with a team-leading plus-20 among her defensive core. This season also saw her help Team USA win the 2023 World Championships.
Junior Year: Winn tied for the team high in points with a remarkable 39 points in 38 games, with her 29 assists leading the team. She was a +23 and scored four power-play goals, earning Second Team All-ECAC, Second Team All-USCHO, and Second Team All-American honors. She once again played for Team USA in the rivalry series and the spring World Championships, bringing home a silver medal after tallying 3 points in 7 games at the Worlds.

For her four-year collegiate career, Winn accumulated 37 goals and 94 assists for 131 points in 151 games, including 9 power-play goals, 1 shorthanded goal, and 10 game-winning goals. Her ability to consistently put pucks on net and generate positive results is precisely what the Fleet needs, as scoring—both at even strength and on the power play—has been a persistent struggle over the past two seasons. A lot will be asked of this first-round selection once the season begins, but Haley Winn appears ready to anchor the Boston blue line for years to come.