Micah Zandee-Hart's Leadership Fuels Sirens' Culture Shift

Zandee-Hart's commitment to the New York Sirens has inspired a young, determined team's resurgence.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 5:38am

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Micah Zandee-Hart, the captain of the New York Sirens, has been instrumental in driving a culture change within the team. Despite an opportunity to return to her hometown and join the new Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise, Zandee-Hart chose to stay with the Sirens, determined to build something meaningful with the team. Under her leadership, the Sirens have undergone a remarkable turnaround, emerging from the Olympic break in a playoff position and achieving their best start in franchise history.

Why it matters

Zandee-Hart's decision to remain with the Sirens has been crucial in shaping the team's identity and fostering a renewed sense of determination. Her unwavering commitment and leadership have been instrumental in the team's transformation, as they look to secure their first-ever playoff berth.

The details

Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust presented Zandee-Hart with the option to join the new Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise, recognizing her ties to the Pacific Northwest. However, Zandee-Hart's belief in the Sirens' vision and her desire to be a part of the team's growth led her to sign a one-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season. Daoust has restructured nearly 70% of the Sirens' scoring lineup, building a youthful core around promising draft picks like Kristyna Kaltounkova and Casey O'Brien. Zandee-Hart's leadership and the team's renewed determination have been instrumental in their resurgence, with the Sirens currently holding a playoff position.

  • In May, Pascal Daoust, general manager of the New York Sirens, presented captain Micah Zandee-Hart with the option to join the new Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise.
  • On November 5, Zandee-Hart signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season, maintaining her leadership role with the Sirens.
  • By February, the New York Sirens' season had taken a hopeful turn, emerging from the Olympic break in a playoff position and achieving their best start in franchise history.

The players

Micah Zandee-Hart

The captain of the New York Sirens, who was presented with the opportunity to join the new Vancouver Goldeneyes franchise but chose to stay with the Sirens, determined to build something meaningful with the team.

Pascal Daoust

The general manager of the New York Sirens, who presented Zandee-Hart with the option to join the Vancouver Goldeneyes and has restructured nearly 70% of the Sirens' scoring lineup to build a youthful core.

Greg Fargo

The head coach of the New York Sirens, who has attributed the team's evolving positive culture and improved performance to Zandee-Hart's leadership.

Kristyna Kaltounkova

A promising first-round draft pick for the Sirens, who is part of the team's youthful core and currently leads the league in goals.

Jaime Bourbonnais

A defender for the Sirens who has shared the ice with Zandee-Hart for many seasons and praised her loyalty and leadership.

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What they’re saying

“I'm determined to make this fan base just as proud as I am to be a Siren. I know we've had a couple tough seasons, but I think there's a lot to look forward to coming up, and I really want to be a part of it.”

— Micah Zandee-Hart (theconwaybulletin.com)

“You're looking for players that can bring you 60 minutes of consistency. She brings you 24 hours a day of consistency. She's the daughter that you want. She is the captain that you have the privilege to have. She's the partner that you want your daughter or your son to have. She is a role model.”

— Pascal Daoust, General Manager, New York Sirens (theconwaybulletin.com)

“She is setting the standard for us every single day. I think when you have leaders like that who are consistently showing up, pushing herself, pushing others — as a young player coming here, or anybody who walks through the door or steps on the ice, it's really hard to go any other direction than the direction that your captain's going.”

— Greg Fargo, Head Coach, New York Sirens (theconwaybulletin.com)

“Instead of going home to be with her fiancé and her cat, she decided to stay here and play with all of us weirdos. She's a loyal person, loyal friend, loyal captain. There's no one else that I'd rather play with.”

— Jaime Bourbonnais, Defender, New York Sirens (theconwaybulletin.com)

“It's just exciting to see someone who wears the 'C' on her jersey to be completely bought into that. We all know in that locker room that she's dead set on being a Siren, and we're happy to have her.”

— Sarah Fillier, Rookie of the Year, New York Sirens (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Micah Zandee-Hart's unwavering commitment to the New York Sirens has been instrumental in driving a cultural transformation within the team. Her leadership, both on and off the ice, has inspired a young, determined roster to embrace a renewed sense of purpose and belief in their ability to secure the franchise's first-ever playoff berth.