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Photo / Getty Images, PWHL Minnesotans she had grown up competing against, like Taylor Fox, while also getting to skate on the same team with players who inspired her as a kid. "I grew up look ing up to the Lees and the Kendall Coynes and the Kelly Panneks of the world," Fla her t y said. "Lee Stecklein was one of my big role models, so to be able to play with her was unbelievable." Play ing professiona lly in Minnesota also allowed for her family to be in the stands for every home game, witnessing her celebrating the Wa lter Cup w ith Minnesota in back to back seasons. Flaherty even made sure to bring the Walter Cup back to Lakeville after the second championship. Making History in Montreal Flaherty then made the decision to leave home and sign with Montreal ahead of the 2025-26 season. There, she added her third championship, making history as the only player to win three consecutively. "Three in a row, I never thought that would happen to me," Flaherty said. "It's kind of just started setting in. That 's pretty sweet that I'm the only person to do that and the first to do it." From facing uncertainty surrounding professional opportunities after college to being part of the league's earliest championship teams, Flaherty has been a part of this transformative period for women's hockey. Now, she looks into crowds and sees young players who remind her of herself. She hopes they see more than just a game and can see the possibilities that exist for themselves. "This could be you in a few years," Flaherty said. "There's a future that you can have, and you can have hockey as your job." Three in a row, I never thought that would happen to me." 19 N O V / D E C 2 0 2 6 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M PWHL Expands to Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose 4 MORE TEAMS! THE 2026-27 PWHL SEASON BEGINS DEC. 5!