ST. PAUL, Minn. — Erin Ambrose’s performance during the first season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League has earned her two awards from the league.
Ambrose finished the season with 18 points in 24 games, including four goals, and a plus-5 defensive rating, earning her the title of defender of the year ahead of Megan Keller of Boston and Ella Shelton of New York.
Together with her colleague Marie-Philip Poulin, she was selected for the PWHL’s inaugural all-star squad as a result of her stats.
The individual honors have a bittersweet quality. In reference to the league title trophy, Ambrose stated, “The Walter Cup is the most important thing I would have liked to have.” In the semifinals, Boston defeated Montreal in three games requiring overtime.
“But overall, I’m honoured, especially to have my name associated with Ella Shelton and Megan Keller. Both had phenomenal years. It was a special year, and I’m grateful to have been named defender of the year.”
In her interview with the media, Ambrose was easily able to choose the moment that best defined her in this first season.
“Unquestionably, the Bell Centre match. In women’s sports, this was a turning point. I will be grateful for this for the rest of my life, not just my professional life. 21,000 individuals showed up to help us. It’s difficult to describe what we accomplished that day.
Ambrose was genuinely excited about the next season, which may present an opportunity for her to regularly play with Cayla Barnes, the defender that General Manager Danièle Sauvageau selected in the first round of Monday’s selection.
“I think it will be quite easy to motivate myself next summer. There are a lot of things I want to accomplish as an individual athlete to ensure I can have the best impact possible to bring a Walter Cup to Montreal. And it starts with summer training, it starts with what I need to do before the season. I like the foundation we have in Montreal and the leadership we have in Montreal.”
Montreal forward Maureen Murphy was given the Hockey For All Award, which rewards community involvement.
Interested in health and well-being, Murphy became involved in various community organizations in Montreal while pursuing her law studies.
Poulin was in the running for two individual honours, forward of the year and the Billie-Jean-King MVP Award, but lost both to Toronto’s Natalie Spooner.
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