Ottawa's Daryl Watts (9) celebrates a goal against Toronto during second period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Daryl Watts continues her hockey career reboot with the Canadian women's team. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

CALGARY - Daryl Watts continues her hockey reboot with the Canadian women's team.

The former college star, who once thought she'd retired from hockey and didn't lace up her skates for almost 10 months, gets her chance with the national team in the Rivalry Series against the United States starting Wednesday in San Jose, Calif.

"I've wanted to play for this team since I was a kid," the 25-year-old forward from Toronto said Tuesday.

Watts was among 25 players selected for the Rivalry Series' first three games that also includes stops Friday in West Valley City, Utah and Sunday in Boise, Idaho.

She credits the Professional Women's Hockey League, which starts its second season Nov. 30, for giving her a stage to prove herself.

"I had a pretty successful college career and it wasn't enough to get on the team at the last Olympics, and there wasn't really a pro league when I graduate, so that's why I retired," she said.

"Now the PWHL gives you the opportunity to showcase your talents at the highest level.

"Historically, there were just a few events throughout the year. Now there's more eyes on you throughout the season, which helps someone like me get on the team and lots of other girls."

The first freshman to win NCAA hockey's Patty Kazmaier Award in 2018 had 40 goals and 42 assists in 38 games for Boston College.

After switching to Wisconsin, Watts scored the overtime winner to lift the Badgers to an NCAA title in 2021, when she was a top-three finalist for the Kazmaier.

She played for Canada in the world under-18 championship in 2016 and 2017 and for the national development team in a three-game summer series against the U.S. in 2018.

Watts wasn't included on Canada's centralized roster of players trying out for the 2022 Olympic Games. Her college hockey career over, Watts was accepted into Wisconsin's masters' program in commercial real estate.

Shortly after changing her mind and withdrawing from school, Watts saw she could make a living playing hockey, and a good one at that, when the Premier Hockey Federation's Toronto Six offered her a contract that would pay her a league-record US$150,000 in a single season.

Watts returned to the ice to help the Six win the 2023 Isobel Cup. Within weeks of that triumph, the PHF was bought out by PWHL backer Mark Walter and her contract annulled.

Ottawa drafted her in the sixth round, 32nd overall, in the PWHL's first draft. She signed a one-year contract in the league's inaugural season.

"Things really changed," Watts said. "My journey has been pretty different than the average player on the U.S. and Canadian teams— college, retired, came back, went to the PHF, PWHL."

Watts led Ottawa in goals (10) and ranked second behind Brianne Jenner in points (17) in 24 games.

"We definitely liked what we saw," Canadian team general manager Gina Kingsbury said. "It was a no-brainer to have her come to September camp and see what she does best-on-best. She had a very good camp, and that's earned her spot here in this Rivalry Series."

Watts signed a two-year contract with the PWHL's Toronto Sceptres in the summer. Kingsbury is also the Sceptres' GM.

She and Watts deny the player's inclusion on the national team was part of the club's negotiations with her.

"That's a narrative that's out there, but if you look at what I did in college, and then you looked at what I did in the PWHL last season, I think I deserve a chance to be on this team," Watts said.

"In free agency, Toronto wanted me and a few other teams wanted me. I'm from Toronto. It's my hometown, so it was really a no-brainer for me to go there. There's just a lot of variables that worked out for me and my family."

Kingsbury, who won Olympic gold medals as a player with Canada in 2006 and 2010, said she does not make decisions about the national team to help her club team. She said Watts was informed she was back in the national-team pool before the start of free agency.

"The pride I take in our national team . . . it's insulting to think that I would do something that would benefit me somewhere else," Kingsbury said. "I take a lot of pride in making sure that we're making the right decisions for our country."

Watts must compete for ice time in the Rivalry Series as two skaters will sit out each game.

"The pace of play is a little bit faster than anything else," Kingsbury said. "You've got to make decisions quicker than anywhere else, in college or the PWHL.

"You can get exposed defensively pretty quickly. She seems to be holding her own, and certainly is committed to learning and growing and trying to make her mark with her national team."

Another Canadian roster will be announced before the series concludes Feb. 6 in Halifax and Feb. 8 in Summerside, P.E.I.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2024