By: Kelsea Durham | Follow me on Twitter/X @kelseadurham

During Phase One of PWHL expansion, existing teams across the league had to submit a three-player protection list. Every selection from these teams was crucial for growth and long-term success in a fast-growing league.

The official protection list for the Boston Fleet has been revealed, and the Fleet has decided to protect goaltender Aerin Frankel, Defender and captain Megan Keller, and defenseman Haley Winn. These players represent the present and future of the franchise as the league continues to expand.

Aerin Frankel, Goaltender

Aerin Frankel has solidified herself as one of the Boston Fleet’s most valuable players, making her protection ahead of the PWHL expansion draft a clear decision for the organization. The goaltender set a league record with eight shutouts while tying for the PWHL lead with 19 wins. Frankel finished the regular season with a 1.17 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, establishing herself as one of the league’s top netminders.

After already becoming a core piece of the Fleet’s identity, Frankel’s consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations have made her a player Boston can build around. Her record-setting season only strengthened her case as one of the franchise’s foundational pieces moving forward.

Megan Keller, Defender

Megan Keller has been the backbone of the Fleet’s blue line, and her protection ahead of the PWHL expansion draft reflected her importance to the franchise. The captain continued to prove why she is one of the league’s elite defenders during the 2025-26 season, finishing the year with 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 30 games. Keller also ranked among the league leaders in ice time, averaging 26:40 per game while providing a steady presence in every situation.

As both a leader and a top defender, Keller has become a key part of Boston’s identity. Her ability to contribute offensively while shutting down opponents makes her a player the Fleet can continue building around.

Haley Winn, Defender

Haley Winn’s protection ahead of the PWHL expansion draft highlighted Boston’s focus on the future for its blue line. After being drafted in the first round by the Fleet in the 2025 PWHL Draft, Winn immediately made an impact during her rookie season, recording 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in 30 games. She also led all PWHL skaters in average ice time at 26:45 per game while becoming a reliable presence in every situation.

Winn’s combination of skill and confidence made her one of the league’s standout young players. Her rookie campaign not only earned her recognition among the league’s top defenders but also showed why Boston views her as a foundational piece for the future.

Following the initial protection period, the expansion process will continue with Phase 2, where expansion teams begin building the foundation of their rosters through unprotected player signings and selections from the pool of unprotected players. In Phase 3, existing teams receive three additional protection slots, bringing their total protected list to six players, while expansion teams continue adding talent.

Phase 4 allows the expansion teams to further round out their rosters with the goal of reaching 10 players. Any player who remains unprotected or unsigned after the previous phases will be eligible to sign with an expansion team, including both players on expiring contracts and players already under contract for the 2026-27 season. If any expansion team has not reached the 10-player mark by the end of the phase, an additional player selection process will be used to complete its roster.

Phase 5 shifts the focus back to existing teams, allowing them to re-sign remaining players on expiring contracts. Finally, Phase 6 opens league-wide free agency, allowing any remaining unsigned players to negotiate and sign with any of the league’s 12 teams.

Boston Fleet unprotected/expiring contract players include: Mia Biotti, Zoe Boyd, Riley Brendman, Jessie Eldridge, Loren Gabel, Hadley Hartmetz, Laura Kluge, Abbey Levy, Rylind MacKinnon, Olivia Mobley, Noemi Neubauerova, Abby Newhook, Jamie Lee Rattray, Jill Saulnier, Sophie Shirley, Susanna Tapani, Amanda Thiele, and Olivia Zafuto. *Rights held