Key facts
- The PWHL draft will be held in Detroit.
- Five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team are eligible for selection.
- Caroline Harvey is projected as a top pick.
- The draft class is noted for its depth of American talent.
- The league has expanded to 12 teams.
- Vancouver holds the first overall pick.
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) draft, set to be held in Detroit, is anticipated to feature a significant number of American talents, including five players from the U.S. team that recently won Olympic gold.
Gina Kingsbury, General Manager of the Toronto Sceptres, expressed excitement about the prospect of selecting from the deep pool of American players available. The league has expanded to 12 teams, and the draft class is noted for its top-heavy concentration of American talent, led by Olympic tournament MVP Caroline Harvey.
Other U.S. Olympians expected to be high picks include Wisconsin's Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms, Minnesota's Abbey Murphy, and Penn State's Tessa Janecke. The draft could also feature non-U.S. Olympians like Lacey Eden, Emma Peschel, and Sydney Morrow, potentially giving the first round a predominantly American flavor.
Vancouver holds the first overall pick, followed by Seattle, with Las Vegas possessing picks at No. 3 and No. 5. Las Vegas acquired their third overall selection in a trade that sent five-time U.S. Olympian Hilary Knight to Detroit. San Jose is set to pick fourth, and Hamilton sixth.
U.S. coach John Wroblewski highlighted the exceptional and generational talent in the top spots, suggesting that many of these Olympians would typically be considered No. 1 selections in other years. He anticipates an unprecedented number of Olympians being selected as pivotal PWHL players.
Beyond the American contingent, top Canadian prospects include Ohio State defender Sara Swiderski and Princeton forward Issy Wunder. Switzerland's national team goalie Andrea Braendli and Finnish forwards Elisa Holopainen and Petra Nieminen are also considered potential first-round picks.
Las Vegas GM Dominique DiDia noted the depth of talent extends beyond the first round, with significant players available in rounds three through six.