The start of Season 8 of the Premiere Hockey Federation is potentially less than two months away, and the Toronto Six have all but finished off their player signings. One more forward signing could be the bow on top of a dominant-looking team, as the Six currently have 11 forwards, eight defenders, and two goalies under contract. Teams in the PHF can have up to 25 players signed to their roster, leaving the Six with four open spots remaining if they need them.
Since the last Toronto Six contract rundown back in July, Toronto has signed nine more skaters for the upcoming campaign. This latest batch comes with the Isobel Cup and Olympic experience and a couple of returning faces from last season’s group.
On the blue line, Toronto welcomes Kati Tabin, a former member of the Connecticut Whale, and Alexis Woloschuk. They played on Team Sonnet with new Six member Brittany Howard in the PWPHA Dream Gap tour. Rounding out the defenders is Dominika Lásková, a name that is recognizable to fans who followed the IIHF 2022 Women’s World Hockey Championship a couple of weeks ago. Lásková and Team Czechia brought home their first-ever bronze medal after defeating Switzerland, a game in which Lásková received the Player of the Game award. She also brings Olympic experience to the team and is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on. Dominika is also the first non-North American player signed by Toronto in their 3-year existence.
For the forwards, a 2022 Beijing Olympics teammate of Lásková Tereza Vanišová has also signed on for the 2022-2023 season with the Six. Along with that time at the Olympics, Vanišová also has experience winning the Isobel Cup. She was a member of the Boston Pride last season, coming in for the playoffs and scoring 1 goal and one assist in 3 games. Another Olympian who will wear the six crest this season is Leah Lum, who represented Team China in Beijing this year. She also spent time with the KRS Vanke Rays over the last few seasons, where she was a teammate of Michela Cava – a member of the Six who has re-signed for the upcoming season. Another key re-signing came in the form of Brooke Boquist, who will spend her third season with the club. Last year, she scored 13 points in 20 games, and her offense will be relied on in the absence of Mikyla Grant-Mentis. Rounding out the signings were Nadine Edney, who previously played in the European Women’s Hockey League, and Courtney Gardiner, a York University, hockey team member who received a PTO with Toronto last season but did not play in any games.
While there are quite a few contract details not released, and therefore it’s not possible to look at the salary cap situation for the team, it’s a fair assumption that either Toronto will sign one more forward or one of the defenders under contract will make the jump in the line-up, leaving the current roster season-opener ready.
