HOWARD NAMED PHF PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Toronto Six forward leads the PHF in scoring with 16 points and 12 goals

BOSTON, MA – (December 29, 2022) - The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that forward Brittany Howard of the Toronto Six is the PHF Player of the Month for December. The league’s top scorer recorded eight points in four games including five goals, three assists, and a plus-minus rating of plus-nine to help T6 take over first place in the overall standings.

“As a newcomer to the PHF, it is an honor to be chosen as the Player of the Month,” said Howard. “It’s just as important to recognize my team and what we’ve accomplished so far this season. I’m looking forward to the second half of the year!”

Howard became the first player in T6 history to score a hat-trick, doing so as part of a career-high four-point performance Dec. 11 in a 5-2 win over the Metropolitan Riveters. In that contest she produced the game’s first goal at even strength, the game-winner on the power play, an empty-net insurance marker, and a secondary assist on the final tally. It marked her second straight game with a power play goal against the Riveters, finding the back of the net in a 3-2 shootout loss on Dec. 10. Howard went into the holiday break with a three-point weekend in a series sweep over the Buffalo Beauts. She scored the first goal in the 2-1 outdoor game victory Dec. 16, then provided two primary assists in the third period of the 6-4 win on Dec. 17 including the set-up of the game-winning goal. Toronto claimed 10 of a possible 12 points over their four games this month and now hold a 7-1-2 record with 22 points.

“Brittany Howard has developed into one of the best, or even the best player in the PHF, and the Toronto Six are lucky to have her,” said Geraldine Heaney, T6 head coach. “She is one of the hardest workers on and off the ice while trying to get better every day. She leads by example and pushes her teammates to be the best they can be. What I’m most impressed with is the love, the passion, and the fun she has playing the game.”

The 27-year-old from St. Thomas, Ontario leads the PHF with 16 points and 12 goals through 10 games. Her plus-12 rating, 46 shots on goal, and three game-winning goals are all high-water marks across the league, while her three power play goals are tied for first, and her current five-game point-streak is the second longest active stretch heading into 2023. The newcomer is halfway to the PHF single season record of 24 goals set by Allie Thunstrom in 24 games during the 2019-20 campaign. Howard is a graduate of Robert Morris University and compiled four seasons of pro experience before signing with T6, including one year in the CWHL and the last three with the PWHPA.

Also considered for the December award was Taylor Girard of the Connecticut Whale with nine points including three goals and six assists in six games, and Loren Gabel of the Boston Pride who scored four goals and four assists for eight points in three games. On defense, a pair of Minnesota Whitecaps led the way offensively as both Patti Marshall and Sidney Morin scored twice with six assists for eight points in six games. In goal, Abbie Ives posted a 2-1-0 record with a shutout victory and a .930 save percentage.

2022-23 PHF Players of the Month:

December: Brittany Howard (Toronto Six)
November: Corinne Schroeder (Boston Pride)

About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. As part of a two-year agreement with ESPN, live coverage of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 PHF seasons is available exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States, and provides international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.