Seattle Torrent GM Meghan Turner and Boston Fleet counterpart Danielle Marmer have a lifelong relationship. Friends, teammates, roommates, and professional colleagues in the Fleet front office. Monday, for the first time, they became trading partners.
In a swap of veteran forwards, the Torrent acquired Theresa Schafzahl in exchange for Jessie Eldridge. Both 3rd-year PWHL players have contracts which expire at the end of the season.
“Theresa is steady and reliable in all areas of the ice and all situations,” Turner said in a statement. “She lifts her teammates up with simple, gritty plays.”
Schafzahl had spent her entire PWHL career in Boston, selected in the 7th round of the inaugural draft. She has registered eight goals and nine assists in 69 career games, including two goals and six points this season. Her most recent goal came Mar. 11 at Climate Pledge Arena, when the Torrent downed the Fleet, 3-2, their first victory in four meetings with Boston this season.
The 25-year-old from Weiz, Austria, has represented her national team seven times in competition at the IIHF Women’s World Championships. In five seasons at the University of Vermont, Schafzahl finished as the Catamount’s all-time leader with 71 goals and 74 assists.
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Eldridge scored seven goals and 13 points in 19 games as a member of the Torrent after being acquired from New York in the third round of the 2025 expansion draft. “Jessie has been a proven goal scorer at every level,” Marmer said in a statement. “She has a high hockey IQ and is a dual threat, capable of making key plays and creating scoring opportunities. We’re excited about the offensive instincts and competitiveness she brings to our lineup.”
The Barrie, Ontario native, who at 28 is three years older than Schafzahl, spent her first two PWHL seasons with New York. She has 23 career goals and 28 assists in 73 games, recently becoming the ninth player in league history to surpass 50 career points.
Seattle, which has lost the first two games of its current road trip, plays next on Thursday in Montréal against the Victoire.
Oscars Knight
One reason for the Torrent to go younger with their forward group is because two of their top offensive weapons are on long-term injury reserve. Hilary Knight and Hannah Bilka were injured helping Team USA secure the women’s hockey gold medal at February’s Winter Olympics.
Just because Knight and Bilka can’t skate doesn’t mean they can’t walk – as in the red carpet at Sunday’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
As reported in that go-to publication for women’s hockey, TownAndCountryMag.com, “The hockey star walked the red carpet dressed in a black velvet suit by Christian Siriano with a lace bandeau top and a pair of diamond necklaces.
“Knight was joined at the Oscars by her Team USA and Seattle Torrent teammate Hannah Bilka, who was dressed in a copper strapless gown with structured corset bodice and a matching neck scarf.”
Image at right from espnW’s Instagram account.
“Bilka also wore several pieces by Southern California jewelry brand Gorjana, including a floating diamond necklace, a diamond tennis bracelet, and a trio of rings.