Kristýna Kaltounková Shines in Rookie Season for Sirens

The Sirens’ decision to select Kristýna Kaltounková first overall in the 2025 PWHL Draft is proving to be a wise choice. Under the guidance of coach Greg Fargo, who previously coached her at Colgate for four years, Kaltounková has emerged as a formidable presence on the ice. Known for her speed and physicality, the 5-foot-9 forward has quickly established herself as a key player for the Sirens in her inaugural season.

Entering the PWHL’s Olympic break, Kaltounková finds herself on a career-best four-game point streak. With two goals in a recent 4-3 shootout loss to the first-place Boston Fleet, she has taken the lead in the league’s scoring race with a total of 11 points. This performance places her on track to potentially break the record for most goals by a first-year player, currently held by teammate Sarah Fillier with 13 goals last season. The overall single-season record of 20 goals, set by Natalie Spooner in 2024, also remains within reach as the season resumes on February 26, 2026.

Olympic Aspirations and Team Dynamics

Kaltounková is not just making waves in the league; she is also preparing for her Olympic debut with Czechia at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. She is among six Sirens players selected to represent their countries. Teammate Sarah Fillier will compete for Team Canada in her second Olympics, while Kristin O’Neill and Kayle Osborne will also make their Olympic debuts. Maja Nylen Persson (Sweden) and Nicole Vallario (Switzerland) round out the group of Sirens heading to the Winter Games.

As the team prepares for the upcoming Olympic break, Kaltounková stands out not only as a scoring leader but also as the team’s most valuable player for the first half of the season. The Rookie of the Year race is heating up, with Casey O’Brien, the third overall pick in 2025, also in contention. O’Brien has contributed significantly with 11 points—four goals and seven assists—making her a notable presence alongside Kaltounková.

Midseason Highlights and Low Points

Among the Sirens’ midseason achievements, their 2-1 victory against the Montréal Victoire on January 18 stands out. Although not their most dominant performance—evidenced by a 5-1 win against Vancouver in their home opener on November 29—the win was significant as it occurred at a neutral site in front of a record crowd against a top-tier team. Kaltounková and Anne Cherkowski were instrumental in this success, with Kayle Osborne making an impressive 31 saves.

On the flip side, the Sirens have struggled against the Boston Fleet and the Minnesota Frost, with their most disappointing loss occurring on December 6. In that match, they allowed three goals in a slow start, ultimately falling 4-0 against the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

As the first half of the season comes to a close, the Sirens are optimistic about what lies ahead. With Kaltounková leading the charge and several players poised for Olympic competition, the second half promises to be just as exciting as the first.