The PWHL Expansion Draft
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to hold its inaugural Expansion Draft, marking a pivotal moment just six weeks after the announcement of its latest franchises. The league, which commenced operations in January 2024 with six teams, will welcome two additional franchises, Seattle and Vancouver, during the upcoming 2025-26 season.
New Team Highlights
PWHL Seattle is anticipated to play its home games at Climate Pledge Arena, collaborating closely with the Seattle Kraken of the NHL. Meanwhile, the Vancouver squad will take to the ice at the historic Pacific Coliseum, previously inhabited by the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.
Pre-Draft Signings
Ahead of the draft, both new teams secured their initial players through a pre-draft signing period, allowing them to sign a maximum of five players each from the pool of unprotected athletes. This signing window has now closed, leading into the draft, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET, where both teams aim to finalize rosters of twelve.
The existing teams in the league—Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York, and Minnesota—had the opportunity to protect three players, ensuring that those under contract until 2026 remained with their original teams, heightening the stakes as the Expansion Draft approaches. Following the loss of two players due to the signing window or the draft, GMs can then extend their protection list to four. As of the last report, the protection lists have been established.
Draft Details
In total, the expansion teams will draft seven players each from a pool of unprotected athletes, with the draft order to be disclosed at the start of the event. This expansion will result in each existing team forfeiting four players from their 2024-25 rosters.
Notably, some of the most exciting players were already signed during the pre-draft period, boosting the new teams’ capabilities. Seattle has secured U.S. hockey star Hilary Knight, who was left unprotected by the Boston Fleet, alongside fellow U.S. teammate Alex Carpenter and defending champion Cayla Barnes. Vancouver, on the other hand, has successfully recruited top-tier defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques from the Minnesota Frost and has added Canadian forward Sarah Nurse to their lineup.
Players to Watch
As the draft unfolds, a total of 59 players will be available, including a mix of offensive talents and solid defenders. With 14 players already signed and off the board, teams will be vying to snag quality talent from the remaining available pool, with eligibility extending across various roles: 36 forwards, 19 defenders, and 4 goalies.
Each franchise must navigate player selections while remaining cognizant of the upcoming salary cap increase to $1.34 million for the next season. This may influence choices, leading to an emphasis on securing valuable contract options over simply star power.
Among players to watch are Hannah Bilka from the Boston Fleet and Jessie Eldridge from New York – both skilled forwards with impressive track records. Notable defenders such as Anna Wilgren, known for her solid plays with Montreal, and Ashton Bell, recognized for her strong playoff performance, could also be pivotal factors in either team’s draft strategy.
Event Details
The PWHL Expansion Draft will be broadcast live on the league’s website and YouTube channel, hosted by former TSN personalities Julia Tocheri and Tessa Bonhomme, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
As both Seattle and Vancouver finalize their rosters, the excitement surrounding this event promises to shape the future of women’s hockey significantly.
