In just two weeks, Sarah Phillier (’24) went from a college student celebrating her graduation ceremony to the No. 1 overall pick in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft.
One by one. pic.twitter.com/aXg5kxBUuM
— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) June 10, 2024
Long rumored to be a first-round pick on draft day, Phillier's name was called first by the team closest to Princeton: She'll join PWHL New York, which finished last among the new league's six founding teams last year.
“We are incredibly happy for Sarah,” Princeton University women's hockey coach Carla Morey wrote in the Daily Princetonian. “Being a professional hockey player has always been a dream for most women, so being selected first overall is a tremendous accomplishment.”
Phillier earned numerous accolades in the six years between enrolling and graduating from Princeton, including taking time off to play for the Canadian national team and winning a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
At Princeton, Phillier left her mark as one of the greatest hockey players to ever don the orange and black. The Georgetown, Ontario native and psychology major ranks second in career assists, fourth in career points and sixth in career goals. While she was certainly stronger by the time she graduated than she was in her first season at Princeton, she made her mark as an incredibly talented player and leader from her very first game.
In 2018-19, Phillier led the nation in points per game with a 1.97 points per game average after leading the team in assists and finishing fourth in points, earning both ECAC and National Rookie of the Year honors. Phillier went on to be named Second Team All-America and First Team All-Ivy while finishing second in the nation in points per game during his sophomore season.
“Sarah is one of the best players in the world and one of the best to ever put on a Princeton jersey,” Molly added. “It's been amazing watching her development at Princeton.”
After the season was canceled due to COVID-19, forcing him to take a year off and not play with the national team, Fillier stepped up to take on a leadership role and returned as team captain for the second consecutive year.
Phillier finished her Princeton career with All-Ivy First Team and All-American Second Team honors during her senior season, making her the first Princeton women's hockey player to earn All-American honors in three separate seasons.
Phillier joins a New York team that finished second-last in points scored last year (53), trailing Boston's 50. New York also finished last in attendance, averaging 2,496 per game, so they will need Phillier's energetic play to draw more fans to Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where the team plays the majority of their home games.
Philie is 1 of 8 New York will play for new head coach Greg Fargo after drafting a team that includes fellow Ivy League alumnus Elle Harche out of Yale, and if Phillier's performance at Princeton is any indication, she'll be sure to make an immediate impact from puck drop.
“I'm excited to see what she does in the next chapter of her hockey career,” Morey concluded.
Max Hines is the senior sports writer for The Prince.
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