PWHL Announces Forward of the Year Finalists: Fillier, Knight, and Poulin Lead the Race
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially identified the three standout performers for its 2025 Forward of the Year award. In an announcement released on May 13, 2025, the league named Sarah Fillier of the New York Sirens, Hilary Knight of the Boston Fleet, and Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montréal Victoire as the finalists for the prestigious honor.
The award is designated for the forward who demonstrates the most exceptional ability at their position throughout the course of the regular season. As the league continues its rapid growth into its third season, the selection of these three athletes underscores the elite level of offensive talent that has come to define the PWHL.
Sarah Fillier: A Historic Debut for the New York Sirens
The 24-year-old sensation from Georgetown, Ontario, has delivered one of the most impactful rookie campaigns in professional hockey history. After being selected first overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft, Fillier has emerged as a primary offensive engine for the New York Sirens.
Throughout the regular season, Fillier tallied 29 points in 30 games, a total that tied her with Hilary Knight for the league lead. Her playmaking abilities were particularly noteworthy, as her 16 assists shared the league lead and represented the highest assist total recorded by any forward. Fillier also showcased significant scoring depth, recording 13 goals—ranking fourth on the overall scoring chart—which included a league-leading five goals on the power play.
Fillier’s statistical dominance extended to efficiency metrics. she averaged 2.95 points, and 1.63 assists per 60 minutes during her first professional season, ranking first and second in the league, respectively, among players with a minimum of 100 minutes played. She also holds unique historical distinctions, being the only player in PWHL history to score in five consecutive games—a streak maintained from February 23 to March 16—and the only player to record multiple four-game assist streaks in the league’s history.
Hilary Knight: The Offensive Surge of the Boston Fleet
Joining Fillier at the top of the scoring leaderboard is Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight. Knight has demonstrated a remarkable offensive evolution since the league’s inception, showing significant improvement from the PWHL’s inaugural season, where she recorded 11 points in 24 games.
In the 2025 campaign, Knight matched Fillier’s season total of 29 points in 30 games. Her 15 goals placed her in a tie for second place in the league, and her 14 assists tied for sixth. Knight’s ability to drive offensive plays was evidenced by her 10 primary helpers, a figure that tied for second across the entire league. Her four power-play goals also earned her a tie for second place in that category, cementing her status as one of the most versatile threats in the game.
Marie-Philip Poulin: A Standard of Excellence
Rounding out the trio of finalists is Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montréal Victoire. While the detailed statistical breakdowns provided in the PWHL official announcement focused on the specific scoring milestones of Fillier and Knight, Poulin’s inclusion among the finalists highlights her continued relevance as one of the most formidable forces in women’s professional hockey.
2025 Forward of the Year Finalist Comparison
The following table summarizes the verified regular-season statistics for the finalists as reported by the league:
| Player | Team | Total Points | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Fillier | New York Sirens | 29 | 13 | 16 |
| Hilary Knight | Boston Fleet | 29 | 15 | 14 |
| Marie-Philip Poulin | Montréal Victoire | — | — | — |
Note: Specific regular-season goal and assist totals for Marie-Philip Poulin were not detailed in the league’s finalist announcement.
The Impact of Elite Talent on the PWHL
The competition between these three finalists reflects the high caliber of play that has characterized the 2025 season. The ability of players like Fillier and Knight to maintain such high scoring paces over a 30-game schedule demonstrates the increasing depth and professionalism within the league’s rosters.
As the PWHL continues to expand—with new franchises recently announced in locations such as San José, Detroit, Hamilton, and Las Vegas—the standard of individual excellence set by these finalists serves as a benchmark for the next generation of talent entering the league.
The winner of the 2025 Forward of the Year award is expected to be officially announced following the conclusion of the current postseason activities. We will continue to provide updates as the league moves through its championship cycle.
What do you think? Who deserves the Forward of the Year honors? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this story with your fellow hockey fans!