Toronto’s Fast, Minnesota’s Jaques, Thompson finalists for PWHL top defender award

TORONTO — Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres and Minnesota Frost teammates Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson are the finalists for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s defender of the year award.
Fast had six goals and 16 assists in 30 games to tie Jaques for the scoring lead among defenders this season and led the league in hits (63) and total ice time (739 minutes 45 seconds).
The 30-year-old from Burlington, Ont., opened the season on a six-game point streak.
Jaques had