Two players from the Boston Fleet have been selected as finalists for the 2026 PWHL Defender of the Year award, the league announced Wednesday. Captain Megan Keller and teammate Haley Winn will compete for the honor alongside Sophie Jaques from the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
The recognition goes to the defensive player who demonstrates exceptional performance at their position during the regular season. A selection committee determined the three finalists, with the winner set to be revealed on June 16 in Detroit.
Keller, age 30, tied a league record for defensemen by recording 22 points through seven goals and 15 assists. She topped all defenders with three game-winning goals and ranked second league-wide in average ice time at 26:40.
The 22-year-old Winn completed her first professional season with 19 points, including five goals and 14 assists. She led all players in average ice time at 26:45 and placed fourth among league defenders by blocking 45 shots.
Jaques, 25, placed second among defensive players with 20 points through nine goals and 11 assists across 30 games for the first-year Goldeneyes. She stood as the lone PWHL defender to record multiple three-point performances, achieving this feat twice.
Last season’s Defender of the Year winner was Renata Fast from the Toronto Sceptres, who defeated finalists Jaques and Claire Thompson of the Minnesota Frost.
