The Sirens are celebrating a successful first half of their season, largely attributed to the impressive performance of rookie forward Kristýna Kaltounková. Selected first overall in the 2025 PWHL draft, Kaltounková has quickly established herself as a key player for the team. Under the guidance of Coach Greg Fargo, who previously coached her at Colgate, her fast-paced and physical style of play has made a significant impact on the ice.
Kaltounková’s formidable 5-foot-9 frame allows her to navigate through contact effectively, earning her the title of a “true weapon” from General Manager Pascal Daoust. Halfway through her rookie campaign, she has emerged as a frontrunner for the league’s scoring title, entering the PWHL’s Olympic break with a four-game point streak. Her two goals in a recent 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Fleet brought her total to 11 for the season, placing her at the top of the league’s scoring leaderboard.
As the league prepares to resume on February 26, 2026, Kaltounková is poised to not only challenge the record for first-year pros, held by Sarah Fillier with 13 goals last season, but also the overall single-season record of 20 goals set by Natalie Spooner in 2024.
International Representation and Midseason Highlights
In addition to her on-ice success, Kaltounková has been selected to represent Czechia at the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Games, marking her Olympic debut. She will join five other Sirens players, including Fillier, who will participate in her second Olympics with Team Canada. Other notable selections include Kristin O’Neill and Kayle Osborne, both making their Olympic debuts, along with Maja Nylen Persson (Sweden) and Nicole Vallario (Switzerland).
The Sirens’ success is underscored by several standout performances this season. Kaltounková has been named both the team’s MVP and top rookie for the first half of the season. Casey O’Brien, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is also making her mark, sitting second on the team with 11 points from four goals and seven assists.
Notable veteran presence has been provided by Micah Zandee-Hart, who opted to remain with the Sirens instead of joining the expansion Vancouver team. Her leadership and reliability have been instrumental in shaping the team’s defense.
As for individual improvements, Taylor Girard has shown significant progress in her third year, already achieving a career-high with five goals, including a natural hat trick in the season opener. Despite a three-game suspension earlier this month for joining a brawl, her contributions have been valuable.
Review of Key Matches
The Sirens have had their share of highs and lows this season. One of their standout victories came on January 18, when they defeated the Montréal Victoire 2-1 in Washington. This win was particularly impressive as it took place at a neutral site in front of a record crowd against one of the league’s top teams. Kaltounková and Anne Cherkowski were the goal scorers, while goalie Kayle Osborne demonstrated her skills by stopping 31 of 32 shots.
Conversely, the Sirens have struggled against the Boston Fleet and the Minnesota Frost. Their most challenging loss occurred on December 6, when they suffered a 4-0 shutout against the Vancouver Goldeneyes, highlighted by a sluggish first period that saw them concede three goals.
With the PWHL season set to resume, the Sirens will look to build on their achievements and address their shortcomings as they prepare for the second half of the season. Kaltounková’s development and contributions are likely to play a crucial role in the team’s pursuit of success.
