With a 2022-23 season that saw the PHF welcome an expansion team, also announcing an increase to the salary cap, the most compelling story belongs to goaltender Corinne Schroeder. Standing between the pipes for the two-time defending champion Boston Pride, the first year professional rose to prominence, earning the starter’s role.
On a solid Pride roster featuring other new arrivals such as Loren Gabel and Elizabeth Giguere, plus league legend Allie Thunstrom, Schroeder, signed by the Pride on August 2, emerged as the talk of the league. Raised in Elm Creek, Manitoba, Schroeder has become one of the biggest names in the season’s first half, making history with a scintillating shutout streak, complemented by victories against five different franchises.
Worth noting, one of the most fascinating features of the Pride includes its strong tradition of great goaltenders. From the likes of Brittany Ott during the nascent years, to the trinity of talent in the recent Isobel Cup era, featuring Lovisa Selander, Katie Burt and Victoria Hanson, the torch has been passed to Schroeder.
Akin to Hanson, Schroeder also stood between the pipes for the Boston University Terriers. In the BU jersey, winning the 2019 Beanpot, she set a program record with a sparkling 1.98 career goals against average.
Worth noting, Schroeder’s final NCAA season, garbed in the paraphernalia of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, involved some highly memorable moments. Becoming the first NCAA women’s goaltender credited with a goal, taking place versus the Maine Black Bears, she finished the season as team MVP.
In the postseason, she shone brightly, earning the program’s first shutout in the NCAA tournament. Equally impressive was a valiant 73 save effort in a regional tournament game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes, ending her collegiate career in impressive fashion. Returning to Boston to begin the chapter of her professional career, the sense of homecoming and achievement have set a highly positive tone.
“It is an incredible honor to be listed among such great goaltenders that have played for the Pride in the past, and currently (Lovisa Selander). I hope to carry on this tradition during my time here in Boston.
‘Defence wins championships’ is a common phrase used in sports, and the Pride’s commitment to signing great goaltenders and their success as a program have proved there is truth in this saying.
I am very excited to be back in Boston. My time at QU was incredible last season, but I missed the city and the incredible fans. It almost feels like I have come back home.”
Opening weekend resulted in a combined 63 saves for Schroeder, beginning her professional sojourn with consecutive shutouts. Blanking the Connecticut Whale on November 5 by a 4-0 mark, in her debut for the Pride, a rematch of the recent Isobel Cup finals, she became only the third goaltender in league history to post a shutout in her debut.
Following it up the day after with a 2-0 win versus the Metropolitan Riveters, recording 27 saves, while Giguere and team captain Jillian Dempsey contributed goals, the accolades quickly followed.
With the league’s announcement on November 8 of its weekly Three Stars, there was certainly an element of serendipity. In addition to Schroeder and Giguere starting the season with such prestige, they were joined by Toronto’s high scoring forward Brittany Howard. Of note, all three were newcomers to the league, testament to the potential for a new generation of star power.
As November progressed, Schroeder continued to shine. With a superlative 49 save effort on the 18th, goals by Jenna Rheault and Christina Putigna factored in a 2-0 triumph versus the Minnesota Whitecaps. Allowing the shutout streak to continue for Schroeder, the opportunity to become the first player in league history to record three consecutive shutouts propelled her into franchise lore.
Schroeder’s shutout streak culminated with a league record of 183:15, as Minnesota’s Sydney Brodt scored on November 19. Although Brodt would score twice in the contest, the Pride prevailed, allowing Schroeder to begin her professional sojourn with four victories.
“It is incredible to have made history this early in my career. I never would have guessed that I would be so fortunate. I cannot take all the credit, however, my team has played incredibly well in front of me this season.
They have worked really hard to block shots, break up plays, backcheck and do everything else necessary to keep the puck out of our net. I could not have achieved any of this with their help and dedication.”
Leading the league in numerous goaltending categories, including wins, shutouts, minutes played, goals against average and save percentage, December 10 may have been Schroeder’s greatest day. Guarding the crease for the visiting Pride at Buffalo’s Harbor Center, as talented goaltender Kassidy Sauve made her PHF debut, a day of special achievements took place.
Blanking the Buffalo Beauts in a 3-0 victory, as Taylor House recorded the first goal of her career, Schroeder became the first goaltender in league history to record four shutouts in one season.
Coincidentally, the day included another unique Pride connection. Making her debut for the Metropolitan Riveters, 2022 Isobel Cup champion Katie Burt made her own history, prevailing in a 3-2 final as the Toronto Six suffered their first ever loss on home ice.
With a solid seven wins to her credit in the first half of the season, Boston firmly entrenched on top of the league standings, another strong source of pride for Schroeder involves acclaim as the PHF Player of the Month for November. Commemorating her record breaking first month of professional hockey, the award holds multiple meaning. From affirming her ability to excel in the pros, to a strong sense of gratitude for the chance to return to Boston, at the core is an appreciation for game and teammates alike. Recognizing the strong level of talent in the league, while appreciative of her teammates assiduous approach, this prodigious talent is poised to become one of the league’s premier attractions.
“It is an honor to be recognized as the PHF Player of the Month. I know there were so many others in the league who were deserving of this award as well, so I am very grateful for it. I am also very thankful to my teammates for their incredible defensive efforts that helped us to start our season off strong, and helped me get acclimated to the league.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
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