NHL 23 releases Oct. 14, 2023, for PC and console, and hot on the heels of announcing the best players from the men’s league, EA Sports revealed NHL 23‘s top-rated women’s league players. For this grouping, EA divided the top performers into three position categories, including goalies, defenders, and forward, with picks across the globe from nations such as Finland, Canada, the U.S.A., and Switzerland. We’ve broken them down based on position and listed the top 10 in each category to help you plan ahead and get your dream team in order before you even get your hands on the game.
If you need something sporting to pass the time until NHL 23 launches, check out our picks for the best Madden 23 offensive and defensive playbooks and the definitive Madden 23 MUT guide to building an unstoppable team.
NHL 23 Top Women’s League Goalies
Feb 8, 2022; Beijing, China; Team Canada goalkeeper Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) celebrates a 4-2 win against the United States during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
The top-ranking goalies represent several nations with some respectable rating numbers.
1. Ann-Rene Desbiens – 92 (Canada)
2. Anni Kesala – 90 (Finland)
3. Nicole Hensley – 90 (U.S.A.)
4. Emmerance Maschmeyer – 89 (Canada)
5. Klara Peslarova – 88 (Czechia)
6. Maddie Rooney – 88 (U.S.A.)
7. Andrea Braendli – 87 (Switzerland)
8. Meeri Raisanen – 87 (Finland)
9. Aerin Frankel – 87 (U.S.A.)
10. Kristen Campbell – 87 (Canada)
NHL 23 Top Women’s League Defenders
Feb 14, 2022; Beijing, China; Team United States forward Kelly Pannek (12) controls the puck against Team Finland defender Jenni Hiirikoski (6) during the third period in the women’s ice hockey semifinal of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
Nearly half of the best defenders hail from Canada in this year’s roundup, and the top three players should look familiar to anyone who played NHL 22.
1. Jenni Hiirikoski – 92 (Finland)
2. Megan Keller – 91 (U.S.A.)
3. Lee Stecklein – 91 (U.S.A.)
4. Jocelyne Larocque – 90 (Canada)
5. Renata Fast – 90 (Canada)
6. Erin Ambrose – 89 (Canada)
7. Cayla Barnes – 89 (U.S.A.)
8. Caroline Harvey – 89 (U.S.A.)
9. Ella Shelton – 88 (Canada)
10. Nelli Laitinen – 86 (Finland)
NHL 23 Top Women’s League Forwards
2023’s forwards look quite similar to 2022’s as well, with Marie-Philip Poulin leading the ranks once again.
1. Marie-Philip Poulin – Center, 94 (Canada)
2. Kendall Coyne Schofield – Left Wing, 93 (U.S.A.)
3. Hilary Knight – Right Wing, 93 (U.S.A.)
4. Brianne Jenner – Center, 92 (Canada)
5. Sarah Fillier – Right Wing, 92 (Canada)
6. Sara Nurse – Left Wing, 91 (Canada)
7. Natalie Spooner – Right Wing, 91 (Canada)
8. Taylor Heise – Center, 91 (U.S.A.)
9. Amanda Kessel – Right Wing, 89 (U.S.A.)
10. Petra Nieminen – Center, 89 (Finland)
