Pro hockey players so often are fascinating individuals beyond the unique profession they’ve chosen. Such is the case with two of the women who’ve signed to join PWHL expansion teams this winter in Seattle and Vancouver.
An Edmonton native, Danielle Serdachny made herself a legend in Canadian hockey at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship. In overtime of the gold medal game against the USA, Serdachny scored the “golden goal” to secure Canada’s 6-5 victory.
The PWHL Seattle forward’s got a Kraken connection, too, with captain Jordan Eberle. For nine years, including Eberle’s time there, Danielle’s father was an Edmonton Oilers skills and skating coach. As a young girl, Serdachny was introduced to Jordan.
That’s a tough backstory to beat, but PWHL Vancouver defenseman Claire Thompson can give Serdachny a run for her money. After she’s done patrolling the blueline, the Toronto native plans to become Claire Thompson, MD. She’s halfway through getting her medical degree, which she’s put on hold to concentrate full-time on hockey.
I spoke to both Serdachny and Thompson recently for this Kraken Reaction.