FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tonbara Sports Client Kristin O'Neill Signs Two-Year EFO with PWHL San Jose

Olympic silver medalist and five-time World Championship medalist joins expansion franchise

TORONTO / SAN JOSE — Tonbara Sports & Entertainment is proud to announce that client Kristin O'Neill has signed a two-year contract with PWHL San Jose under an Expansion Foundational Offer (EFO).

O'Neill becomes a cornerstone player for San Jose's inaugural 2026-27 season, joining the expansion franchise through the 2027-28 campaign. She is the fourth of five players added in Phase 2 of the PWHL's Expansion Roster Distribution Process. She joins fellow forward Anne Cherkowski, defender Rory Guilday, and goaltender Corinne Schroeder on the roster.

The 28-year-old forward from Oakville, Ontario, spent the 2025-26 season with the New York Sirens, registering five points (four goals, one assist) in all 30 regular-season games. She led the Sirens and ranked fourth in the league in faceoffs won with 272 — trailing only Forward of the Year finalists Kelly Pannek and Brianne Jenner, and 2024 PWHL MVP finalist Alex Carpenter. O'Neill ranks fourth all-time in PWHL history in that category.

Over three PWHL seasons split between New York and Montréal, O'Neill has recorded 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 83 games. She also played in two postseasons with the Victoire, totaling four points (three goals, one assist) in seven games. O'Neill was originally selected by Montréal with the seventh overall pick in the second round of the inaugural PWHL Draft.

Internationally, O'Neill has represented Team Canada with distinction. Under Head Coach Troy Ryan, she won five consecutive medals at the IIHF Women's World Championship (three gold, two silver) and made her Olympic Winter Games debut at Milano Cortina 2026, earning a silver medal.

Before turning pro, O'Neill starred at Cornell University, where she served as captain for three seasons and tallied 145 points (81 goals) in 125 games. She earned Ivy League Rookie of the Year (2017) and Ivy League Player of the Year (2018) honours, holding program records for career game-winning goals (21) and shorthanded goals (10).

PWHL San Jose will debut at SAP Center this fall as one of four new expansion teams in the league.

"This is a landmark moment for Kristin — joining an expansion franchise as a foundational piece," said Patrik Darabont, Founder & PWHLPA Agent at Tonbara Sports & Entertainment. "She brings Olympic experience, World Championship pedigree, and proven production at the PWHL level. San Jose is getting a player who can anchor the forward group from day one.”

Tonbara Sports & Entertainment is a full-service athlete representation agency licensed by FIFA, FIBA, and PWHLPA, with offices in Toronto, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.