By: Alexis Caines | Follow me on Twitter/X @alexiscaines_
After Friday night’s 4-0 win in Toronto against the Sceptres, Boston Fleet Head Coach Kris Sparre was asked about his netminder’s MVP case. “I don’t know if it’s a case as it’s just give her the damn thing.“
At just 26 years old, Aerin Frankel’s hockey career has been outstanding. She has a Patty Kazmaier Award, WHCA National Goaltender of the Year (twice), Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year, two World Championship gold medals, and this year she added an Olympic gold medal for Team USA. As the PWHL season wraps up, she’ll look to add some more hardware to her collection, and it should include the Billie Jean King MVP.
Frankel, who spent four years with Northeastern University, was one of the first three signings from PWHL Boston in their inaugural season. In her three seasons for Boston, she’s only seen her numbers grow better. This season in particular, she has been clutch for the Fleet team, playing in 21 of their 23 games and winning 16.
So far this season, she’s posted seven shutouts, which is the PWHL record for shutouts in a single season. She has a .954 SV% and a 1.17 GAA; these are the best numbers of her career and the best in the league.
This season, the Fleet have been in 12 one-goal games. It’s in these crucial moments that teams look to their goalies, and Frankel has been a brick wall for her Fleet team.
Frankel will look to be the very first goaltender to be nominated for the award. Toronto Sceptres Forward Natalie Spooner won in 2024, and Montréal Victoire Forward Marie-Philip Poulin last year. Frankel’s nomination and potential win would be well deserved.
“I’m trying to take it one game at a time, one shot at a time,” said Frankel after one of her three shutouts of the week. “Our strength is playing together as one.”
Coming into the 2025-26 season, there was uncertainty for the Fleet. A new bench boss in Kris Sparre, as well as the loss of huge assets in Hilary Knight and Hannah Bilka. Frankel was one of the players protected by Boston in the 2025 Expansion Draft. It was the right choice by General Manager Danielle Marmer.
On August 4th, 2025, the Fleet signed Frankel through the 2027-28 season. She signed alongside Megan Keller and Alina Müller, who wear the “C” and “A” for Boston, respectively.
“These are three of the best players in the world at their respective positions and having them committed to Boston gives us an elite core to build around. Aerin is the backbone of our team, and we have a chance to win every single night with her in net,” said Marmer on the trio.
With seven games remaining this season, there are no obvious signs as to if or when Frankel may catch a break. Even if her season ended today, it’d be hard to argue against her MVP status.
Fleet fans will have to sit back a bit, as it’s unlikely we’ll hear the finalists for any awards until May. While the wait is on, the Fleet will look to roll into the playoffs and keep their momentum alive alongside their “Green Monster.”
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