It’s fair to say that the New York Sirens are all in on Kayle Osborne being their new No. 1 goalie, signing her to a contract extension Tuesday before the 2025-26 PWHL season is even underway.
The one-year extension locks Osborne up through 2027-28, and is another sign that the Sirens have full faith she’s capable of being a long-term answer between the pipes for them.
The 23-year-old backed up Corinne Schroeder as a rookie last season, and posted solid numbers in 10 games, including a 2.22 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and one shutout. With Schroeder now in Seattle and third-year pro Abbey Levy in Boston, the net belongs to Osborne in New York.
“As long as I’ve known her, she’s kind of been in more of a !a, 1b situation and really had to battle for ice. And I think this is the first time where she’s come in and been a starting goalie, and she knows it,” Sirens coach Greg Fargo explained last week in training camp.
Fargo knows Osborne and her history quite well, having coached her in college at Colgate. When Fargo joined the Sirens ahead of last season, it wasn’t a major surprise to see Osborne drafted in the fifth round by his new team.
That’s especially so after Fargo guided Colgate to the 2024 NCAA Frozen Four, with Osborne playing a big role along the way. Osborne shared the Colgate net with Hannah Murphy, and was 20-4-1 with a microscopic 1.28 GAA, outstanding .948 save percentage, and six shutouts in 25 games. Then a senior, Osborne was named MVP of the 2024 ECAC Women’s Hockey Tournament.
“I’m excited to see where she can push it, because she’s a great puck stopper,” Fargo said of his No. 1 netminder. “She’s going to be a big part of our team and the success we have this year.”
Osborne, who stopped 25 of 27 shots in a 6-2 preseason win over the Minnesota Frost last Friday, is backed up by a pair of rookies this season — Kaley Doyle and Callie Shanahan, who’s currently nursing a lower-body injury sustained in New York’s first preseason game last week.
“I’m really excited to extend my contract in New York,” Osborne said in a statement. “My teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans make this place so special. I am thankful for everyone who has been a part of my journey here so far, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for this team.”
Sirens also extend alternate captain Jaime Bourbonnais
Much of the run-up to this season focused on the many changes to the Sirens roster, including those at the goalie position. But New York also identified certain key veterans to build around after two straight last-place finishes.
To that end, defenseman Jaime Bourbonnais received a one-year contract extension with then Sirens on Tuesday, which runs through the 2026-27 season. Bourbonnais was named an alternate captain, along with star forward Sarah Fillier, last weekend, and is an important veteran on the blue line. Keeping her, along with captain Micah Zandee-Hart (who agreed to a contract extension before training camp) provides stability on a less-experienced roster.
Like Zandee-Hart, Bourbonnais’ been with the Sirens since their inaugural PWHL season. A solid two-way defender, the 27-year-old had seven points (two goals, five assists) and 23 blocked shots in 30 games last season. She had 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 24 games two seasons ago.
“Since Day 1, Jaime has been an integral part of the Sirens family,” Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust said. “She brings leadership and energy both on and off the ice that makes everyone around her better. Her ability to impact every facet of the game makes her a cornerstone of our team. We’re extremely proud of this agreement, which reinforces our shared commitment to long-term success and establishing the New York Sirens as a premier destination.”
The Sirens also trimmed their roster to 26 players Tuesday, when they released forwards Alexis Paddington and Kira Juodikis. Each PWHL team must finalize its 23-player active roster by 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday. New York opens its third season with a road contest against the Ottawa Charge on Saturday.
