Boston Fleet Send Girard to the Sirens in Return For Saulnier

Overnight on Monday, there were rumors that there was a completed trade between Boston and New York. On Tuesday morning, it was confirmed. Boston was trading F Taylor Girard to New York. In exchange, they received F Jill Saulnier. This trade was unexpected. Some of the messages from fans over social media even considered it pointless for both teams. Here is a brief overview of each player’s career so far. Following, are some quotes from fans between both teams.

Taylor Girard

Girard began her professional career in the NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) with the Connecticut Whale in 2021. She was drafted first overall, and in her rookie year, she recorded 11 goals and 13 assists in 20 games. Girard was drafted in the ninth round (51st overall) by Boston in the inaugural PWHL Draft. She signed a two-year contract. Girard’s season ended early in April. Despite the early end, she recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 23 regular season games. This season for the fleet, she has played in just five games. She was a healthy scratch for a handful of the others. She remained scoreless across all.

Jill Saulnier

Before the PWHL’s debut season, Saulnier signed a two-year contract. She was drafted in the seventh round (40th overall) of the first PWHL Draft. The Halifax, Nova Scotia-born forward has played 23 PWHL games for the Sirens in her career. She has two points (1G 1A) in the team’s first season. Saulnier, a veteran of Team Canada, won a silver medal in 2018 and a gold medal in 2022. She has also represented Canada in four IIHF Women’s World Championship Tournaments, winning two silver, one bronze, and one gold. Saulnier also played in the CWHL from 2015-19 and in the PWHPA from 2019-23.  

*Saulnier is expected to debut for the Fleet on Wednesday, Jan. 22*

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jill Saulnier to the Boston Fleet,” said Danielle Marmer, Fleet General Manager. “Jill has achieved so much in her hockey career, including competing in two Olympic Games, and she brings a level of competitiveness and grit that will elevate our team on the ice. Beyond her skill, Jill’s experience and leadership will be invaluable in our locker room. At the same time, it’s never easy to part ways with a player, especially someone like Taylor, who has been with us since our inaugural draft. Taylor has been an integral part of our team, and we’ll miss her both on and off the ice. We wish her nothing but the best as she continues her career in New York.”

What the fans have to say

I think Taylor was a strong force on our team, she had a super positive attitude and had some close bonds with her teammates. She was great with meeting fans and you could tell she truly loved the game. Taylor has a very high hockey IQ and was a treat to watch on the ice. Although her Fleet teammates and fans will miss her, we really hope that she flourishes in New York.
–Lisa Tusinski, a fan of the Boston Fleet.

I think the trade is a win-win for both sides. Both Saulnier and Girard have been seeing limited minutes in their respective line ups and it’ll be a fresh start for both of them. Jill brings a strong veteran presence and will add some depth scoring to Boston. She’s also a great person and a great teammate and will definitely be missed in New York. I’m excited to see how Taylor’s skating helps out the Sirens.

–Crystal, a fan of the New York Sirens.

I think the trade is good I was looking at her stats and I think she will be good on our team. Even though Girard is gone she was still part of our history run last year so I think she need to be recognized for that and for building a awesome fanbase. At the end of the day you just gotta focus on adding players to the squad to try to make them better and tougher Because that’s what every professional Boston sports does. Adds more players to make them better and make the connection better for the team and at the end of day you gotta remember they are trying to build a team to win a championship. So with that said we should give Jill Sauliner a chance to make her mark with the Boston fleet.

–Jacob Dumais, a fan of the Boston Fleet.

Both sides seem to be optimistic about the trade as a whole. Only time will tell how these talented players will impact each team. Like Crystal said, it is a fresh start for both players!