To be the PWHL’s ironwoman, a player must maintain an impeccable record by not missing a single regular season game throughout their career. This accolade is highly revered in the world of hockey, symbolizing extraordinary consistency, longevity, and the remarkable ability to evade injuries and illnesses. The quest for the title of PWHL’s ironwoman is particularly intriguing as the league continues to establish its presence in the hockey community.
In the National Hockey League (NHL), the current ironman streak is held by Phil Kessel, who astonishingly appeared in 1,064 consecutive games. Reaching the milestone of 1,000 career games is a significant achievement for any NHL player, but Kessel’s accomplishment of exceeding that mark without interruption is a testament to his endurance and resilience. To place this into perspective, Kessel surpassed the previous record holder, who faced a break in his streak after being made a healthy scratch in 2022, ending a consecutive game run of 989.
In the PWHL, however, players have a different set of challenges when it comes to achieving similar milestones. The inaugural season consists of 24 games, while the subsequent two seasons have been set at a cap of 30 games each. This limitation drastically alters the landscape for records and ironwoman potential.
In the NHL, players are recognized as official “iron men” after playing 500 consecutive games, a benchmark that typically requires over six full seasons in the current 82-game schedule. For the PWHL, it will take some time before the league witnesses its sixth season, but remarkable players are already setting a precedent. As of now, 27 players are gearing up to enter their third season without missing a single game, creating a competitive atmosphere around the ironwoman title.
Among these standout athletes, Susanna Tapani has emerged as the current ironwoman of the PWHL. Her stunning achievement is partly attributed to unique circumstances during her career. In season one, Tapani was traded from a team with a higher game count to a team that had played fewer games. This swap occurred when PWHL Minnesota sent her to Boston in exchange for Sophie Jaques. As a result, Tapani made an impressive total of 26 regular-season appearances during her first year and added a complete 30-game season in the following year. Her continuous presence on the ice totals 56 games, making her the PWHL’s all-time games played leader and the current ironwoman.
However, Tapani’s record is closely followed by 26 other players who have also yet to miss a game, each boasting a collective record of 54 games. This group includes a diverse mix of nine defenders and 17 forwards, all demonstrating remarkable resilience. Among them, notable names like Daryl Watts, Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Jessie Eldridge have etched their names further into PWHL history, currently ranked among the league’s top ten all-time scorers after just two seasons. Not far behind are other ironwomen such as Renata Fast, Emily Clark, Tapani, Abby Roque, Megan Keller, and Emma Maltais, whose performances in scoring have cemented their status as key players in the league.
The complete roster of the PWHL’s ironwomen includes players like Michela Cava, Kelly Pannek, Jesse Compher, Hannah Brandt, Jamie Lee Rattray, Blayre Turnbull, Jaime Bourbonnais, Jade Downie-Landry, Savannah Harmon, Lee Stecklein, Denisa Krisova, Kali Flanagan, Sidney Morin, Emma Woods, Maggie Connors, Allie Munroe, and Jessica DiGirolamo. This diverse group showcases the talent and tenacity in the league, as many players have yet to miss any games over the past two seasons.
Adding to this dynamic, 14 rookies and newcomers successfully played all 30 games in the 2024-25 season, positioning themselves as potential challengers for the ironwoman title as the league progresses. These emerging talents may contribute to the ongoing narrative of the PWHL ironwoman and influence the future trajectory of this prestigious accolade.
In concluding this reflection on the current state of the PWHL’s ironwomen, it’s important to recognize the dedication and commitment required to achieve such longevity in one’s career. As this young league continues to develop, it will be fascinating to see how factors such as injuries, trades, and performance shape the ongoing battle for the ironwoman title. For now, Susanna Tapani stands proud as the symbol of resilience and commitment in the PWHL. Her journey is not just an impressive personal record, but also an inspiration to many aspiring players in the league. As the seasons unfold, will she retain her status, or will a new player rise to the occasion? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the PWHL’s ironwomen race is just beginning.
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