Boston Fleet Prepare for Home Opener Today

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The Boston Fleet officially open their third season in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Montreal Victoire at the Tsongas Center. The home opener follows a rigorous training camp and a recent series of scrimmages against the same Montreal squad last week, giving the Fleet an immediate sense of their opponent.

Head Coach Kris Sparre, meeting with the media after a 45-minute fine-tuning session at Tsongas Center yesterday, expressed optimism about the team’s readiness. He remarked that Saturday’s practice “was a good one,” though he noted a clear “nervous energy” from the rookies as they prepared for their debut. Sparre also voiced his appreciation for the enthusiastic atmosphere of his new home rink, acknowledging the “positive energy” the Boston fans bring to every home game.

Yesterday’s ice time was devoted heavily to special teams, with both the power play and penalty kill units receiving attention. The coach confirmed that the process of installing his system has been simplified by the recent good news from General Manager Danielle Marmer: all players, including the rookies, are signed to contracts. This marks the first time in team history that the entire roster has been signed before the puck drops on opening day. When asked if the team had grasped his new system, Sparre offered a cautious but hopeful, “I think so.”

Leadership and Rookie Excitement

The Fleet enters the new season with a defined leadership structure. The team’s new captain is defender Megan Keller, who takes on the role in her third season with the Fleet following the departure of former captain Hilary Knight. Coach Sparre fully supports the choice, stating his firm belief that Keller will be a strong and effective leader, bringing a good balance of veteran presence and new talent into the locker room.

Among the rookies making her professional debut is forward Abby Newhook. She reflected positively on her time in camp, stating she “thought I had a pretty good camp.” Newhook admitted that hearing her name called on draft day was “A dream come true,” but acknowledged it was also a “stressful time.” Having spent the summer in Boston after being drafted, the Boston College graduate was happy to return to the area. She noted the importance of the contract situation being finalized and has actively sought advice from veterans like Keller and star goaltender Aerin Frankel about what to expect in the PWHL.

Following a late fade in the standings last season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs, the Boston Fleet have something significant to prove this year. That mission to re-establish themselves as a top contender officially begins tomorrow against Montreal.