Fleet continue to solidify roster by re-signing forward Abby Newhook to a two-year contract

The Fleet re-signed forward Abby Newhook to a two-year contract through the 2027-28 season, the team announced Wednesday.

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The signing comes as no surprise. Newhook received a qualifying offer during Phase 3 of the PWHL expansion process and was one of Boston’s six protections, all but guaranteeing her return.

A product of Boston College, Newhook earned $40,000 in base salary on her rookie contract for last season. League expansion dictated that a qualifying offer must provide a 3 percent increase over the player’s 2025-26 salary on a one-year contract, meaning Newhook will receive a raise of at least $1,200 for ’26-27.

The 23-year-old outplayed her 2025 PWHL Draft position (fifth round, No. 34) and was named to the All-Rookie Team after finishing second among the league’s first-year forwards with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 29 regular-season games.

A native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Newhook was a staple on the Fleet’s top power-play unit. She led all rookies with a plus-17 rating and contributed one assist in four playoff appearances.

Newhook earned praise from coaches and teammates for her IQ, and former Fleet coach Kris Sparre said she is always “a step ahead of everybody” despite not being the fastest player on the ice.

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“She can make plays that you don’t think anyone could make,” fellow 2025 draft pick (and roommate) Ella Huber said during the Fleet’s playoff run.

A bruising player, Newhook followed older brother Alex, now with the NHL’s Canadiens, to BC and appeared in 142 games with the Eagles. She totaled 113 points and was named captain her senior season on the Heights.

The Fleet have now re-signed or extended both of their top rookies from last season. The team on Tuesday announced that PWHL Rookie of the Year Haley Winn had signed a one-year extension through the 2027-28 season.

Boston has 17 players under contract for the upcoming season, including Newhook and fellow forwards Loren Gabel, Ella Huber, Laura Kluge, Shay Maloney, Olivia Mobley, Jill Saulnier, Liz Schepers, Sophie Shirley, Susanna Tapani, and Taylor House. Rounding out the roster are Winn and fellow defenders Megan Keller, Amanda Boulier, and Rylind MacKinnon, as well as goaltenders Aerin Frankel and Amanda Thiele.

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