Top 15 USports Prospects For The 2024 PWHL Draft

USports is a viable development path for PWHL prospects, and this year, there is a talented group of players who could be selected in the PWHL Draft out of USports women's hockey.

Don't sleep on USports. Of the players currently in the PWHL, seven full time members of the PWHL are USports alumni, and four reserves are USports athletes. That number could have been higher if not for the injury of Audrey-Anne Veillette who was drafted directly out of the University of Montreal last season.

Of the USports athletes in the PWHL, Jade Downie-Landry, Ann-Sophie Bettez, Catherine Dubois, and Sarah Bujold lead the way, and reserve and long time Canadian national team member Melodie Daoust is another notable alumni.

Overseas, a number of USports alumni will likely declare for the PWHL Draft next season as well, but there's also a crop of current USports athletes to watch. Here's a look at the top USports prospects for the 2024 PWHL Draft.

1. Rylind MacKinnon, D, British Columbia, USports (2000, Canada)
Sleeping on MacKinnon as a USports athlete would be a mistake. In fact, if teams have watched her enough, she could jump ten spots forward on this list. MacKinnon is big, and uses her reach and range effectively. She's also a good skater for her size and can produce offensively. At Canada's Fall Selection camp, MacKinnon did not look out of place, and at times outperformed some of Canada's more highly touted prospects. The "steal" potential in MacKinnon is huge.

2. Emmy Fecteau, C, Concordia, USports (1999, Canada) - Emmy Fecteau is as valuable off the ice as she is on the ice. A character leader and community member, Fecteau would be an excellent pro in the PWHL. Considering Hockey Hall of Famer Caroline Ouellette describes Fecteau as "the girl with the most guts I know," and trumpets her leadership, defensive play, and scoring, it's safe to say those who know how to play the game, see the incredible value in Fecteau's game.

3. Emma Bergesen, D, Mount Royal, USports (1999, Norway) - There's a very good chance Emma Bergesen will become the first Norwegian player in PWHL history. An All-Canadian last year, First Team Canada West this season, 2022 World Championships D1A Best Defender, and 2023 USports national champion, including scoring the overtime winning goal. Bergesen is a gamer, and sliding into a bottom pairing, she could develop into a draft day steal.

4. Maggy Burbidge, F, St. FX, USports (2001, Canada) - She's technically got another season of eligibility, but Burbidge is a fifth year university player having spent two seasons with Robert Morris in the NCAA before lighting up USports the past three seasons. She won a Universaide gold last season, and has the chance to step into a PWHL roster. When looking for players who can contribute up and down the lineup, competitors like Burbidge can help PWHL teams who this season were monotone in style.

5. Leah Herrfort, F, Waterloo, USports (2001, Canada) - Technically Herrfort has another year of eligibility. Technically Hefffort has been in university for five seasons already. She started at Union College playing NCAA DI hockey in 2019-2020, and last season was an All-Canadian. There are few players more skilled or who produce more consistently in USports.

6. Kelly-Ann Nadeau, D, Montreal, USports (1998, Canada) - She's not the flashiest defender, but in the PWHL this season, seeking defenders who love to jump into the play alone proved problematic for teams like New York and Ottawa who gave up too much on the defensive side of the puck. Nadeau takes care of her own zone first, and is a strong puck mover.

7. Courtney Kollman, F, Calgary, USports (2000, Canada) - Kollman is a journeywoman already starting her college career playing NCAA DI hockey for Robert Morris before the program took a hiatus. Moving to Mount Royal she won a national championship last year, and this year finished it off as a second team Canada West All-Star. She represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships in 2018.

8. Rosalie Begin Cyr, F, Concordia, USports (1998, Canada) - Prior to the acquisition of the PHF, Rosalie Begin Cyr had signed a contract with the PHF's Montreal Force, and many were expecting her to make a similar impact to Jade Downie-Landry. She instead chose to return to powerhouse Concordia for her final season, but remains one of the most pro-ready players out there.

9. Kendra Woodland, G, New Brunswick, USports (2000, Canada) - The 2023 USports Player of the Year, Woodland is another one of the rare players who compete for Canada's U-18 national team and then go the USports route. It paid off for Woodland however as she has played a starring role for New Brunswick for five straight seasons. Goaltending will be such a tough spot to challenge for next year, but USports has solid options.

10. Camryn Drever, G, Saskatchewan, USports (2000, Canada) - Drever has put up ridiculous numbers the past three seasons including the top save percentage in Canada this year with a .954 mark and a 1.33 GAA along with five shutouts. She helped Canada win gold last year at the Universaide as well.

11. Marie-Camille Théorêt, D, Bishop's, USports (1999, Canada)

12. Halle Oswald, G, Alberta, USports, (2000, Canada)

13. Lillian George, RW, New Brunswick, USports (2000, Canada)

14. Miranda Hatt, D, Saint Mary's, USports (2000, Canada)

15. Elizabeth Lang, F, Calgary, USports (2000, Canada)

Cassandra Call, D, Moncton, USports (2000, Canada), Sophie Lalor, F, Saskatchewan, USports, (2000, Canada), Isabella Pozzi, D, Saskatchewan (2000, Canada)