Boston Fleet select Winn second overall in the PWHL draft

With the second overall pick in the Professional Women’s Hockey League draft, the Boston Fleet selected defender Haley Winn.

A four-year standout at Clarkson University, Winn collected 130 career points.

Boston also drafted University of Minnesota forward Ella Huber in the second round, University of Minnesota Duluth forward Olivia Mobley in the third, Ohio State defender Riley Brengman in the fourth, Boston College forward Abby Newhook in the fifth and Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele in the sixth.

Milton native Casey O’Brien went third overall to the New York Sirens, who traded up to select the University of Wisconsin star.

Former Fleet captain Hilary Knight was a finalist for PWHL MVP, but the award went to Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who also received the Forward of the Year award.

Knight tied for the league’s scoring title with 29 points in 30 games. A first-team All-Star, Knight led the Fleet in goals (15) and assists (14). Knight was not protected in the PWHL expansion draft and Seattle signed her to a one-year deal.

Fleet goaltender Aerin Frankel, who led the league with 642 saves, was named a second-Team All-Star.

— Barry Scanlon

Filipa Patão named coach of NWSL expansion club, the Boston Legacy

BOSTON >> Benfica coach Filipa Patão has been hired as the new head coach of the National Women’s Soccer League club Boston Legacy.

Patão, 36, will take over the expansion team’s preparations for its first season next year in July once her visa is approved, the club announced Wednesday.

Patão has led Benfica since 2020, with a 156-28-15 record across all competitions. During her tenure, Benfica has won Portugal’s top flight title five straight years.

Benfica also advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s Champions League. She was nominated for the Ballon d’Or’s Coach of the Year in 2024.

“The American league is extremely competitive and that’s one of the reasons I accepted this project: I like competition, difficulty, and getting the players to strive for more and better. To transform themselves and always demand more of themselves,” Patão said in a statement. “I know that Boston fans are passionate about the city and their teams and I’m looking forward to building a new history with them.”

Vegas Golden Knights are re-signing Reilly Smith, AP source says

Reilly Smith is re-signing with the Vegas Golden Knights on a one-year contract worth $2 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not announced the extension. It comes with a full no-trade clause, the person said.

Smith was one of the original “Misfits” from the franchise’s inaugural season in 2017-18 after then-general manager George McPhee selected him from Florida in the expansion draft. He helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023 and was traded to Pittsburgh that summer.

Dealt to the New York Rangers last year, he rejoined the Golden Knights at the trade deadline in March and is now staying around for another season.

Smith, 34, had 40 points last season, including 11 in 21 games with Vegas down the stretch. He has 255 goals and 381 assists for 636 points in 1,036 NHL regular-season and playoff games.

— The Associated Press