Desbiens up for second straight PWHL top goaltender award against Frankel, Philips

Montreal Victoire forward Abby Roque (11) looks on as Ottawa Charge forward Gabbie Hughes (17) pressures goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) during first period PWHL Walter Cup final hockey action in Ottawa, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TORONTO — Ann-Renée Desbiens of the Montréal Victoire, Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet and Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge are the three finalists for the 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League goaltender of the year award.

Desbiens set single-season PWHL records with a 1.11 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage. She finished tied for the league lead with 19 wins, including seven shutouts.

Frankel broke the PWHL single-season record with eight shutouts and became the first goaltender in league history to record three consecutive clean sheets. She had 19 wins, a 1.17 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage.

Philips set records for most starts (28), consecutive appearances (18), minutes played (1,643), shots faced (844), and saves (786), and posted three shutouts, including a record 42-save performance in a 2-0 win over Toronto on April 11.

Desbiens, who helped the Victoire capture their first Walter Cup title with a 4-0 win over Ottawa on Wednesday, beat out Frankel and Philips for the award last season.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2026.