Among the most popular players in the history of the PHF, Madison Packer brings a combination of enthusiasm and leadership that makes a highly positive impression. The heartbeat of the Riveters, Packer is not only the all-time leading scorer in franchise history, the captain’s C proudly adorns her jersey.
Always gracing the ice with an unmistakable smile, every game allows Packer the opportunity to add to a distinguished legacy. Undoubtedly, the 2021-22 season allowed the league’s enthusiasts a new opportunity to appreciate her brilliance.
With a season where Packer, the second all-time leading scorer in league history, reached the prestigious 100 point threshold, it was only fitting that a milestone of such magnitude took place. Following the momentum of such a plateau, Packer was named as one of the talented participants for the 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase.
Becoming the first player to appear in five All-Star Showcases, the brush with history added a sensational luster to the midseason classic. Worth noting, the previous Showcase, held in 2020, saw Packer serve as one of the All-Star captains, only the second player in franchise history to enjoy the honour.
“It is special to be included in the All-star weekends. Obviously every year it gets a little harder to be in that mix, and it’s such an incredible weekend to get to know other players and play with the top players across the league. I really enjoy the event every year, and am grateful to have been included again this season.”
Held at Buffalo’s Northtown Center at Amherst, thete was certainly a sense of full circle for Packer. The inaugural All-Star Showcase from 2016 was also held in Buffalo.
Packer earned a place in that historic event via fan vote. With four extra roster spots available through an online fan vote, Packer emerged as the leading vote getter, landing a place on Hilary Knight’s team.
The most recent All-Star Showcase in Buffalo also provided a memorable highlight. Wearing the jersey of Team Darkangelo, named after team captain Shiann Darkangelo, it provided a sense of homecoming.
Marking the first time in over a decade that they were teammates again, it added to the theme of full circle.
Both raised in Michigan, Packer was raised in the northern Detroit suburb of Birmingham, while Darkangelo, who also played in the inaugural All-Star Showcase, called Royal Oak home. As teenagers, this prodigious pair skated for the Little Caesars U19 AAA club.
Coincidentally, the Little Caesars experience provided another unique linkage for Packer. Kaleigh Fratkin, a member of the defending Isobel Cup champion Boston Pride, not only skated in both All-Star Showcases in Buffalo.
During the 2008-09 season, Fratkin was one of two Canadians that called Packer a teammate on Little Caesars in 2008-09. On a team that also featured goaltender Brittany Ott, won the inaugural Isobel Cup, Breann Frykas was the other Canadian competitor. Adding to the aspect of coincidence is the fact that Packer and Frykas were both teammates on the Wisconsin Badgers 2011 Frozen Four championship team.
Along with Packer, Darkangelo and Fratkin, they were among a handful of players from the league’s first season that were 2022 All-Stars. Jillian Dempsey, Shannon Doyle Turner and Alyssa Wohlfeiler were also on-hand. This special gathering of league pioneers added to their own remarkable legacies, simultaneously contributing to another fascinating chapter of league lore.
“I think it is great that we had a few players among the first and most recent all star games. It is also cool that Darkangelo, Fratkin, and I all played for Little Caesars for one season together growing up. So that is a fun little connection that I share with the other players who were also at the first and most recent ASG.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
