Daryl Watts (born May 15, 1999) is a Canadian women's ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). While a member of the Boston College Eagles, Watts was awarded the 21st Patty Kazmaier Award, becoming the first freshman player to win the award.[1] Watts finished the season with 82 points, which led all competitors in NCAA women's ice hockey.[2]
Playing career
Hockey Canada
Watts was a member of Canada's entry at the 2016 IIHF U18 Women's World Championships in St. Catharine's, Ontario.[3] Her first appearance in a Hockey Canada jersey took place in August 2015 as Canada's National Women's Under-18 Team challenged the United States in a three-game series in Lake Placid, New York.[4]
In the gold medal game of the 2017 IIHF U18 Women's World Championships, contested at PSG Arena in Zlin, Czech Republic, Watts scored a goal for Canada in the third period, their first of the game. Although said goal would tie the game, the US would score twice in the final three minutes, prevailing in a 3–1 final.[5]
NCAA
Boston College
Becoming the first freshman to win the Patty Kazmaier Award, Watts beat out finalists (and fellow Canadians) Victoria Bach of Boston University and Loren Gabel of Clarkson University. Of note, she became the second Patty Kazmaier Award winner in Eagles history, following Alex Carpenter, who captured the honour in 2015. Watts' end-to-end shorthanded goal against the University of New Hampshire was also recognized among the BC Eagles Athletics' Top 10 Plays of the 2017–18 season, placing second.[6] During her freshman season she led the NCAA in scoring and recorded 42 goals and 40 assists in 38 games. Her 2.16 points per game ranked first in the NCAA, while her 10 power play goals tied for best in the NCAA. Following an outstanding season she won both the Hockey East Player and Rookie of the Year Awards. She became only the second player in conference history to do so, tying a mark set by former Boston College player Kelli Stack in 2006.[7] She was also named the Women's Hockey Commissioners Association National Rookie of the Year.[8]
Wisconsin
In May 2019, Watts decided to enter the transfer portal and leave Boston College hockey. On June 10, 2019, she transferred to Wisconsin. During the 2019–20 season, she set a program record for most assists in one season with 49, while leading the NCAA with 74 points.
On January 19, 2023, Watts signed a 2-year contract with the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation. On January 25, 2023, it was revealed that her contract carried an average annual value of $88,500 US ($118,000+ CDN) thereby making it "the highest salary ever announced for a professional women's hockey player in North America".[10] On January 26, 2023, Watts revealed that her 2023–24 salary would be a league record $150,000 US.[11]
Professional Women's Hockey League
PWHL Ottawa
Following the folding of the PHF, Watts was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 PWHL draft by Ottawa.[12] She was Ottawa's leading goal scorer in their inaugural season, with 10 goals in 24 games.[13]
Toronto Sceptres
On June 21, 2024, Watts signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Sceptres.[13]
Personal life
Watts was born and raised in Toronto. Her father, Michael, is a corporate lawyer who also acted as his daughter's agent when negotiating her PHF contract.[11]
^Athletic Communications (6 May 2018). "2018 Golden Eagle Award Winners". Boston College Eagles Athletics. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
^Athletic Communications (6 May 2018). "2018 Golden Eagle Award Winners". Boston College Eagles Athletics. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
