Sophie Shirley Bio
Sophie Shirley (born June 30, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A right-shooting forward, she has represented Canada at multiple international events, including the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships, and has competed at the collegiate and professional levels in North America. Shirley plays her club hockey in the PWHL after being selected in the league’s inaugural draft in 2023.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Shirley rose through Saskatchewan’s youth and development programs before committing to the University of Wisconsin and later turning professional. She has earned recognition as a top forward at the international junior level and as a top-10 finalist for college hockey’s top individual honor.
Early Life and Background
Sophie Shirley was born on June 30, 1999, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She grew up in a city with a deep tradition of hockey and began her competitive career in Saskatchewan’s youth system. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, she developed her game as a forward in local and provincial programs before reaching the national stage.
Her early path through Saskatchewan’s women’s ice hockey ranks included representing her home province at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. The Saskatchewan team reached the bronze medal game at that event, falling to Manitoba by a score of 2–1 in overtime. The experience marked one of her first high-profile appearances in a multi-provincial competition.
Path to Hockey
Shirley’s progression to elite hockey continued when she joined Canada’s national under-18 program. She suited up for the Canadian team at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships, capturing silver medals at both the 2016 and 2017 tournaments. Her performance at the 2017 event earned her the tournament’s best forward award after she tied for the scoring lead.
Between her junior international appearances and her collegiate career, Shirley played one season with the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. During that season she was recognized as the league’s rookie of the year, an early indication of her scoring touch and two-way play. She then committed to the University of Wisconsin, where she spent four seasons competing in NCAA Division I women’s hockey.
Sophie Shirley Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Shirley’s competitive career began in 2015 with Saskatchewan’s women’s ice hockey team at the Canada Winter Games. The experience prepared her for the international stage and led to her selection for Canada’s under-18 national team. Her two silver medals at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships in 2016 and 2017 established her as one of Canada’s top young forwards.
After her junior international success, Shirley joined the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL for the 2019–20 season. She made an immediate impact and was named the CWHL’s rookie of the year. That same year she began her collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, where she went on to compete in NCAA Division I women’s hockey.
NCAA Career with the Wisconsin Badgers (2019–2023)
Shirley played four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers from 2019 to 2023. During her time in Madison, she contributed to one of the most successful stretches in program history, winning three NCAA championships with the Badgers. Her role grew each season as she became a reliable scoring and playmaking forward at the collegiate level.
Her individual play was also recognized nationally. Shirley was twice a top-10 finalist for the NCAA’s best player award, placing her among the elite performers in college hockey. She left Wisconsin with a résumé that included both team championships and individual honors, ready to make the jump to the professional ranks.
Boston Fleet Era (2023–Present)
Following her senior season at Wisconsin, Shirley turned professional in 2023 by signing with the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation. The PHF was later absorbed into the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League, and Shirley declared for the inaugural PWHL draft. On September 18, 2023, she was selected 63rd overall by PWHL Boston at the 2023 PWHL Draft.
In the PWHL’s first exhibition game, played against PWHL Toronto, Shirley scored Boston’s first-ever goal, a milestone moment in the league’s history, although Toronto won the contest 5–3. During the 2023–24 regular season she recorded three goals and two assists in 20 games, and added one goal and one assist in eight playoff games during the Walter Cup chase. On June 20, 2024, she signed a two-year contract extension with Boston, keeping her with the franchise through the 2025–26 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shirley is a right-shooting forward listed at 5 feet 9 inches and 140 pounds, combining size with skating and skill. She has been praised for her two-way play, her scoring touch around the net, and her ability to contribute in both even-strength and special-teams situations. Her offensive instincts earned her the best forward award at the 2017 IIHF U18 Championship and helped her make an immediate impact at every level of her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Shirley’s career came when she scored Boston’s first-ever goal in PWHL exhibition play, cementing her place in the league’s early history. She has also earned two IIHF U18 silver medals, a CWHL rookie of the year award, three NCAA championships with Wisconsin, and two top-10 finishes for the NCAA’s best player award. Her selection in the inaugural PWHL Draft and her first professional contract extension further highlight her standing within the Boston organization.
Sophie Shirley Career Wins
Sophie Shirley’s competitive résumé features a blend of team championships and individual honors across junior international, collegiate, and professional women’s hockey. Her trophy case includes three NCAA championships with Wisconsin, two IIHF World Women’s U18 silver medals with Canada, and a CWHL rookie of the year award from her single season with the Calgary Inferno.
NCAA Highlights
Shirley captured three NCAA Division I women’s hockey championships during her time with the Wisconsin Badgers from 2019 to 2023. She was also twice a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the NCAA’s best player, reinforcing her status as one of the top collegiate players in the country. Her combination of scoring and playmaking helped anchor the Badgers’ forward group during a dominant run for the program.
International Highlights
At the international level, Shirley helped Canada earn silver medals at the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships. At the 2017 tournament, she tied for the scoring lead and was named the event’s best forward, highlighting her ability to perform on the biggest junior stage. She also represented Saskatchewan at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, reaching the bronze medal game against Manitoba.
Sophie Shirley Family
Personal Life
Sophie Shirley was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and has spent much of her hockey career in North America, including her time at the University of Wisconsin and now in the Boston market. She is active on social media under her professional accounts, including her X handle and her Instagram account, both listed under her playing name.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Sophie Shirley is in the second year of her two-year contract extension signed with the Boston Fleet in June 2024. The deal keeps her with the organization through the 2025–26 season, providing continuity alongside established teammates such as Hilary Knight and Alina Müller. The Fleet are building on their first PWHL campaign, looking to translate playoff experience into a Walter Cup run.
Shirley enters the 2025 calendar year with growing confidence after a steady 2023–24 season that included three goals and two assists in 20 regular-season games and a goal and an assist across eight playoff contests. Her role on the Boston forward group is expected to expand, and the franchise is counting on her scoring touch to help fuel a deeper postseason push.
With multiple NCAA championships and international junior medals already on her résumé, Shirley remains a key piece of Boston’s long-term plans. Continued production at even strength and on special teams would further cement her status as one of the core players of the PWHL’s early era.