The New York Sirens gave their fan base a shock on Tuesday.

The PWHL announced the 18 players — three from each of the inaugural six teams — protected from selection in the exclusive signing window and in the expansion draft being staged for the new Seattle and Vancouver teams entering the league in the 2025-26 season.

The Sirens selected forward Sarah Fillier, defenseman Ella Shelton, and defenseman Micah Zandee-Hart, which shockingly leaves Alex Carpenter unprotected.

Carpenter, 31, has been a stalwart for the Sirens for the past two seasons.

The Massachusetts native led the team with eight goals and 23 points last season. This season, she ranked second on the Sirens with 11 goals, behind the rookie Fillier (13).

The forward had a team-best 18.6 shooting percentage in 2024-25, more than double her rate from the previous season.

In 2024, she was also named to the IIHF Women’s World Championship All-Star Team, and was recognized as the best forward, leading the tournament in goals (6) and points (10).

Carpenter also earned a silver medal at both the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics with Team USA.

The Sirens still could make a move for Carpenter.

After an inaugural team has lost two players through either the exclusive signing window or the expansion draft, the team is able to protect one additional player.

The fourth protected player must either be under contract for the 2025-26 season or the team must hold their playing rights through the 2025-26 season.

Carpenter just completed the second year of a three-year contract.

The other eligible Sirens players who were left unprotected were: Jessie Eldridge (F), Lauren Bernard (D), Jaime Bourbonnais (D), Emmy Fecteau (F), Elle Hartje (F), Paetyn Levis (F), Maja Nylén Persson (D), Kayle Osborne (G), Abby Roque (F), Gabby Rosenthal (F), Corinne Schroeder (G), Allyson Simpson (D), and Noora Tulus (F).

The exclusive signing window begins June 4 and runs through June 8.

The expansion draft will take place on June 9.