Daryl Watts Bio
Daryl Watts (born May 15, 1999) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for PWHL Detroit of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of Canada’s national women’s hockey team. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and shooting left, she has built a reputation as one of the most prolific scorers of her generation. Watts finished her NCAA career as the second-highest scorer of all time and remains the highest-scoring active player to have competed in NCAA women’s hockey.
A four-time NCAA All-American with three First Team selections, Watts was the first freshman ever to win the Patty Kazmaier Award. In 2021, she was named the University of Wisconsin Female Athlete of the Year, and in 2025 she earned PWHL Second Team All-Star honours. Her combination of scoring touch, hockey intelligence, and consistency has made her a central figure in the continued growth of women’s hockey in North America.
Early Life and Background
Daryl Watts was born on May 15, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She grew up in a supportive household with her father, Michael Watts, who encouraged her early interest in athletics. Toronto’s rich hockey culture gave her frequent access to rinks and competitive youth programs, and she began skating and playing organized hockey at a young age.
From her earliest years on the ice, Watts stood out for her offensive instincts and her ability to read the play. Coaches quickly noticed her poise with the puck and her willingness to compete against older players. Those formative experiences in the Toronto hockey community helped shape the work ethic that would later define her career at the collegiate and professional levels.
Path to Hockey
Watts’ first appearance in a Hockey Canada jersey came in August 2015, when Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team challenged the United States in a three-game series in Lake Placid, New York. The following year, she represented Canada at the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships in St. Catharines, Ontario, establishing herself as one of the country’s top young forwards.
She continued her rise at the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships in the Czech Republic, where she scored a key third-period goal in the gold medal game against the United States. That performance on an international stage drew the attention of NCAA recruiters and set the stage for her transition to Boston College. Her steady progression through Canada’s national team system provided the platform she needed to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Daryl Watts Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Watts began her senior competitive career in 2015 while still in her mid-teens, splitting time between club hockey and Hockey Canada events. Her international debut with the Under-18 program gave her exposure to high-level competition and helped her refine her two-way game against older opponents.
By the time she completed her U18 career, Watts had established herself as a dynamic scoring forward with a mature understanding of the game. Her contributions to Canada’s silver-medal finish at the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships marked her as a player ready for the next challenge, and she committed to Boston College to begin her NCAA journey.
NCAA Career at Boston College (2017–2019)
Watts played her first two collegiate seasons at Boston College, and she made an immediate impact. During the 2017–18 season, she recorded 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 points in 38 games, leading all of NCAA Division I women’s hockey in scoring. That season, she won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, becoming the first freshman ever to receive the honour, and was also named NCAA Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Player of the Year, and Hockey East Rookie of the Year.
She returned for the 2018–19 season and added 48 points in 39 games, continuing to dominate offensively for the Eagles. After two record-setting years, Watts entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to compete for a national championship.
University of Wisconsin Era (2019–2021)
Watts transferred to the University of Wisconsin in 2019 and quickly became the centerpiece of the Badgers’ offence. She led the NCAA in scoring during the 2019–20 season and was named WCHA Player of the Year in 2021. That same season, she scored the overtime game-winning goal in the NCAA national championship game, cementing her status as one of the most clutch performers in college hockey.
In recognition of her achievements across all varsity sports, Wisconsin named Watts its Female Athlete of the Year in 2021. She left the program as one of the most decorated players in Badgers history and finished her NCAA career ranked second on the all-time scoring list.
Toronto Six Era (2023–2024)
In January 2023, Watts signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation. She joined the team late in the 2022–23 season and won the Isobel Cup championship, capturing her first professional title. Her arrival helped transform the Six into a championship contender and brought new attention to the league.
Ahead of the following season, Watts publicly disclosed that her 2023–24 salary would be US$150,000, a figure that received widespread North American media coverage and remains the highest publicly disclosed annual salary in professional women’s hockey. Her transparency helped spark broader conversations about pay equity in the sport.
PWHL Ottawa and Toronto Sceptres Era (2023–2025)
Following the dissolution of the PHF, Watts entered the PWHL and was selected by Ottawa in the league’s inaugural draft. After the 2023–24 season, she became a free agent and signed with the Toronto Sceptres, returning to her hometown franchise.
While with Toronto, Watts emerged as one of the league’s top offensive players, becoming the second player in PWHL history to reach 50 career points. She was named a PWHL Second Team All-Star in 2025, reinforcing her reputation as a reliable point-producer and leader on the ice.
PWHL Detroit Era (2026–Present)
During the league’s expansion to 12 teams ahead of the 2026–27 season, Watts was left unprotected by the Sceptres and accepted an Expansion Foundational Offer with PWHL Detroit on June 5, 2026. She became the first player signed by the new franchise and the first player in PWHL history to sign a four-year contract.
Her move to Detroit signaled the club’s commitment to building around a proven scorer, and Watts is expected to anchor the offence as PWHL Detroit begins its inaugural campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Watts is known for her exceptional hockey IQ, smooth skating, and precise finishing around the net. She excels at reading plays before they develop and consistently creates scoring chances through intelligent positioning and crisp passing. Her ability to perform in high-pressure moments, including overtime and championship settings, has made her one of the most reliable clutch performers in the women’s game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, Watts became the first freshman to win the Patty Kazmaier Award, scored the overtime winner in an NCAA national championship game, and became the second player in PWHL history to reach 50 career points. She also publicly disclosed a US$150,000 professional salary, a milestone moment for pay transparency in women’s hockey, and signed the first four-year contract in PWHL history with PWHL Detroit in 2026.
Daryl Watts Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Watts comes from a Toronto-based family that has supported her athletic ambitions from an early age. Her father, Michael Watts, played a central role in encouraging her development as a hockey player, and the family remains closely tied to her career. The Watts family’s roots in the Toronto community have provided a steady foundation for her rise through the ranks of Canadian hockey.
Personal Life
Watts continues to maintain strong ties to Toronto, where she grew up and where her family is based. She keeps much of her personal life private, focusing public attention on her career and her contributions to the growth of women’s hockey. Her openness about professional salaries has positioned her as a leading voice in the broader conversation about equity in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Watts continued her strong play for the Toronto Sceptres, finishing the season as one of the PWHL’s most productive forwards. Her consistent scoring helped Toronto remain competitive in the standings, and she was recognized for her impact with a PWHL Second Team All-Star selection.
On the international stage, Watts represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia, where she helped the team capture a silver medal. Her two-way play and offensive contributions were key factors in Canada’s run to the final, and she carried that momentum into her preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Looking ahead, Watts entered the offseason as a foundational piece of the Sceptres’ future before being left unprotected in the 2026 PWHL expansion process. Her selection by PWHL Detroit marked the beginning of a new chapter, and her four-year contract positions her as a long-term leader for the expansion franchise as the league continues to grow.
