The PWHL Draft declaration period is officially open running from March 1 to May 8. Here's a look at the top players who will, and won't, be declaring for the 2026 PWHL Draft.

The PWHL Draft declaration period is officially open running from March 1 to May 8. Here’s a look at the top players who will, and won’t, be declaring for the 2026 PWHL Draft.

  • CombatWombat@feddit.onlineOPEnglish
    2·
    8 days ago

    I’m generally opposed to drafts as a method for entering the league, and instead prefer giving budget and salary cap based on results, and letting the players choose where they want to play, but it seems pretty popular?

    Among the best available players from the NCAA heading to the PWHL this season include past and present American national team members Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Tessa Janecke, Abbey Murphy, Kirsten Simms, and Lacey Eden.

    Finnish national team members Petra Nieminen, Nelli Laitinen, Viivi Vainikka, and Jennina Nylund are all expected to declare and join the growing group of Europeans in the league, as are Swedish national team members Josefin Bouveng, Thea Johansson, and Sofie Lundin. Swiss national team netminder Andrea Brandli is also expected to make the jump as the top goaltender available in the draft.

    After Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova entered the league from Russia this season, the first Russian defenders from the ZhHL are expected to declare. Russian Olympian and World Championship national team members Anna Shibanova and Maria Batalova are both expected to declare. Batalova is Russia’s reigning Defender of the Year.

    Other top NCAA players heading to the 2026 Draft include Issy Wunder, Sydney Morrow, Emma Peschel, Grace Dwyer, Vivian Jungels, and Lily Shannon.

    From U Sports, top scorers Grace Elliott, JessyMaude Drapeau, and Annalise Wong are all set to declare as well.