Haley Winn: Rising Star to Future Franchise Cornerstone
Written By Josie Dinonsie
BOSTON — The Boston Fleet have announced that defender Haley Winn has signed an extension to her original three-year deal, keeping her in Boston through at least the 2028-29 season. Winn was named the 2026 PWHL Rookie of the Year and was also a finalist for Defender of the Year, highlighting her importance to the Fleet.
Boston's decision to extend Winn is more than simply rewarding a player for a strong season. It reflects the organization's belief that she is a long-term cornerstone of the franchise.
For Winn, this extension is the result of years of impressive accomplishments, proving herself at every level of hockey. The 23-year-old Rochester, New York, native had an outstanding career at Clarkson University, recording 130 points in 151 games. On the international stage, Winn competed in the IIHF World Championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025, earning three medals. While with the Fleet organization, she also represented Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, winning a gold medal.
Those accomplishments helped shape Winn into the leader and teammate she is today, giving her the experience and resilience needed to succeed at the professional level. She successfully transitioned from college hockey to international competition and then to the PWHL without missing a step.
Not every player is able to translate pre-professional success into the professional game, but Winn has exceeded expectations. That ability is exactly what organizations look for in franchise players and is a key reason why Boston was eager to keep her long term.
In addition to earning Rookie of the Year honors and finishing as a finalist for Defender of the Year, Winn's play on the ice speaks for itself. During her first season, she led both the Fleet and the entire league in average ice time at 26:45 per game. She also recorded 45 blocked shots in 30 games during the 2025-26 season. As a rookie, she played with the poise of a veteran, earning more trust from the coaching staff with every game.
Statistics like these make it clear that Winn is a foundational piece of the Fleet. In just one season, she established herself as one of the league's top defenders. Her reliability on the blue line, combined with her offensive contributions, made extending her entry-level contract an easy decision. Based on her rookie campaign, Boston believes her best hockey is still ahead, making her an exciting part of the franchise's future.
"Haley Winn stepped in and is maybe one of the best pros I've ever seen, and it's incredible for how young she is, how she treats this, how she shows up every day, how she takes care of her body, how serious she takes it," Boston Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer stated in a discussion about protecting Winn, Megan Keller, and Aerin Frankel during the league expansion process
"It's really impressive her ability to be so professional (Winn). And I think players in our locker room are going to learn a lot from her as well. So I have full confidence that these three players really embody what we care about in Boston from a culture and a value standpoint," Marmer said.
