Sirens Bolster Roster with Kristyna Kaltounkova Selection in PWHL Draft
The New York Sirens have begun the process of rebuilding their team, following the expansion draft, selecting Kristyna Kaltounkova from Colgate with the first pick in the PWHL draft on Tuesday night.
Kaltounkova, originally from the Czech Republic, made history by becoming the first European-born player to be selected first overall in the PWHL draft. In addition, she will reunite with Sirens coach Greg Fargo, who coached her at Colgate.
At 23 years old, Kaltounkova was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, an award that recognizes the most valuable player in college hockey, after a season of 48 points (26 goals, 22 assists). She leaves Colgate after five seasons as the school’s top scorer with 111 goals and second in points with 223.
With the arrival of Kaltounkova, the Sirens cover an important need in the forward line, after losing two of their three top scorers, Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge, as well as starting goaltender Corinne Schroeder, who left for Seattle. Kaltounkova joins a team with a solid defense and that has Sarah Fillier, the first pick of last year, who tied for the PWHL lead with 29 points.
The Sirens chose first for the second consecutive year, after finishing again in the last position of the ranking.
The Boston Fleet, which lost star Hilary Knight, selected second, followed by the Toronto Sceptres and Montreal Victoire. The Ottawa Charge is scheduled to pick fifth, followed by the two-time defending champion, Minnesota Frost.
Vancouver won a lottery to have the seventh pick, with Seattle choosing in eighth place. The two expansion teams will alternate the order in each successive round.
