Flanagan named PHF defender of the year

Boston Pride blue liner led her position in points-per-game average during 2022-23 season

BOSTON, MA – (April 6, 2023) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that Kali Flanagan of the Boston Pride has been selected PHF Defender of the Year for the 2022-23 regular season. The award was determined by PHF hockey operations in consultation with all team presidents and general managers.

“Kali had an outstanding season for the Boston Pride,” said Kacey Bellamy, PHF Scout and Player Relations Liaison. “I had the honor of playing with her for years with the U.S. National Women’s Team and her speed and skating ability is what separates her from others. Not only is she a very sound and reliable player, but she is a special teammate to be around. Her character is always something I noticed, admired, and drew energy from. When you look at a teammate that is committed, passionate, and selfless, Kali emulates those characteristics and has become a prolific leader in the PHF.”

Flanagan finished tied for third in regular season scoring among defenders with 16 points including three goals and 13 assists in 21 games, producing a points-per-game average of 0.762 that led her position. Her three missed games for the first place Pride occurred while competing as a member of the U.S. National Women’s Team in four Rivalry Series contests against Canada in December and February. This season, Flanagan recorded a plus-minus rating of plus-20 that led all blue liners, while her average time on ice of 24:52 ranked inside the top-five from the back end. She also delivered a six-game point-streak and a career-high three assists on January 21 against Montreal before appearing in her second-straight All-Star Showcase as a member of PHF Team USA.

“It is an honor to be named PHF Defender of the Year,” said Flanagan. “I want to thank my Boston Pride teammates as well as coach Paul Mara and our entire coaching staff, support staff, and organization. I’m proud to represent the PHF and the Boston Pride and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to elevate professional women’s hockey with all of the incredible players in our league.”

The 27-year-old from Burlington, MA has now played two PHF seasons, originally signing with Boston in December of the 2021-22 campaign and helping the Pride capture a second-straight Isobel Cup last March in Florida. She’s recorded 20 points in 35 career regular season games and five points in five playoff appearances. Flanagan is a two-time gold medalist with victories at the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Prior to joining the PHF, she spent her NCAA career at Boston College and two seasons with the PWHPA.

“Kali is a great teammate, she always comes to the rink ready to work, and she is a player that our opponents know they have to watch,” said Colleen Coyne, President, Boston Pride. “She’s smart, has tremendous speed, and her vision and ability to read plays makes her a threat in all three zones.”

This marks the fourth time in eight seasons that a member of the Pride has been selected Defender of the Year following Gigi Marvin who received inaugural recognition in 2015-16, and Kaleigh Fratkin who won back-to-back in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Past award recipients also include Buffalo’s Megan Bozek in 2016-17, Courtney Burke of the Riveters in 2017-18, Blake Bolden who won with Buffalo in 2018-19, and current Beauts captain Dominique Kremer for the 2021-22 season. Minnesota’s Sidney Morin and Metropolitan’s Minttu Tuominen were finalists for this year’s honor.

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About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. As part of a two-year agreement with ESPN, live coverage of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 PHF seasons is available exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States, and provides international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.

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Featured image by; Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)