We count down the top 60 prospects (+goalies) this month from the NCAA, USports, and Europe with an eye on the 2024 PWHL Draft.
It's another month closer to another PWHL Draft. The league is days away from puck drop, and rosters have been set. With that in mind, so has the existing PWHL player pool. University teams are now on their holiday break, meaning the first half of the NCAA and USports seasons are over. Similarly, international teams are just coming off another set of games including the Rivalry Series, Five Nations Cup in Sweden, and Four Nations Cup in Hungary, allowing for additional evaluation in elite head-to-head settings.
The main change to our list is the separation of netminders. With the depth of goaltending, it seems less likely teams will be spending draft picks on goalies, and instead will look to fill any future need through free agency. There are teams who will have goaltending needs, but with only New York keeping themselves flexible in the crease for the next three years, it will be a challenging task for teams.
There are other players in Europe who could immediately make the jump, but several of those stars are under contract through next season. Unless they have an out clause, they won't be heading to North America.
This list primarily features players who have expired their NCAA eligibility, but defenders like Nicole Gosling, Kendall Cooper and Kathryn Reilly could declare without using a fifth year given how shallow the PWHL defensive pool remains.
We kept our brief profiles for players who were ranked in the top 12 in November with a few edits if a player rose or fell for a specific reason, and added new write ups for another group of highly ranked players. Our list reduced to 60, and we've bolded the top 36, which is where we anticipate future drafts could be reduced to in terms of total selections. Here's a look at our December PWHL Draft rankings.
- Sarah Fillier, C, Princeton, NCAA (2000, Canada) - Her performance internationally has set Fillier in a class of her own. She'll be an instant addition to a top line in the PWHL. She can score in a variety of ways utilizing a strong shot and seems to always find space.
- Hannah Bilka, LW, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, USA) - Bilka has been one of USA's most consistent threats and play drivers at recent international competition. She already plays like a veteran, but with the energy of a rookie. An intelligent player, Bilka is no straight line player, using her crossover and edges to change the angle of attack and evade defenders. She's equal parts playmaker and scorer, flashing her hands and creativity at will.
- Maja Nylén Persson, D, Brynas, SDHL (2000, Sweden) - If the PWHL wants to lure young stars from Europe, Nylén Persson should be high on the list of players the league focuses in on. She's got years of professional experience in the SDHL under her belt, producing at or above a point per game for Brynas. She also emerged as Sweden's top puck transporter and a powerplay threat for the nation at the World Championships. She has the potential to emerge as one of the top defenders in the league in short order.
- Cayla Barnes, D, Ohio State, NCAA (1999, USA) - In a defensively starved league, Cayla Barnes will be a hot commodity. She can play a shutdown role using her on ice tenacity and sky high compete level. Barnes also has considerable offensive upside and isn't shy to use her shot from the point, or to find lanes to slide into as an extra attacker. She's on the smaller side, but play physical, and is hard to push off a puck.
- Michaela Pejzlova, C, HIFK, Naisten Liiga (1997, Czechia) - A larger wave of Czech players will certainly be headed to North America including Pejzlova and defender Daniela Pejsova. Pejzlova has lit Naisten Liiga on fire in recent seasons. She scores at will, and has been one of Czechia's top offensive threats for years. There will be an adaptation to the depth in the PWHL, especially coming from the significantly weaker Naisten Liiga, but Pejzlova is an instant upgrade for any team.
- Ronja Salvolainen, D, Lulea, SDHL (1997, Finland) - Salvolainen is big, can contribute offensively, and has a world of international experience with Finland. Luring players from Lulea will be a challenge given the atmosphere there and the ability to play with top players, but it's the opportunity to play against top players that might prove tempting for the Finns. There's no doubt Lulea could come to North American and give PWHL teams a good game, but the depth on their team, and the quality of opponent in the PWHL is what sets the opportunity apart. Salvolainen could walk onto any PWHL blueline and contribute.
- Daniela Pejsova, D, Lulea, SDHL (2002, Czechia) - Similar to Nylén Persson, Pejsova plays beyond her years, and has fine tuned her game with Europe's best team. A strong puck moves, Pejsova is a modern blueliner, and given the Czech influence on the league already, is a strong bet to head to North America. She's struggled a bit offensively this year in the SDHL, but there's few who doubt her ability.
- Elisa Holopainen, F, KalPa, Naisten Liiga (2001, Finland) - An injury kept Holopainen out of the World Championships and the start of the Naisten Liiga season. Upon her return, Holopainen went off in her opening games showing she didn't lose a step, including at Decembers Five Nations Cup. The 21-year-old is one of the best young players in the world, and should be a talent the PWHL focuses their recruitment efforts on, and if Holopainen is serious about being one of the best in the world, she needs to leave Naisten Liiga.
- Danielle Serdachny, C, Colgate (2001, Canada) - Returning to Canada's national team lineup in the December Rivalry Series, Serdachny led the NCAA in scoring last year and sits among the top five in scoring again this year. She's most adept as a playmaker, but can also finish utilizing her frame to help protect pucks and drive the net.
- Julia Gosling, C, St. Lawrence, NCAA (2001, Canada) - Big, powerful, with a penchant for scoring. That's an accurate description for Gosling, who looks poised to grab a spot on Canada's national team. As a net front presence, and in puck battles, few are as effective as Gosling.
- Britta Curl, LW, Wisconsin, NCAA (2000, USA) - Curl opened her final NCAA season on a tear, and was one of the most visible players for USA in the Rivalry Series openers. The puck seems to find her, and when it doesn't, Curl can be found in hot pursuit. It will be interesting to see how the league deals with Curl's support for transphobic messaging as it will significantly isolate a large number of fans, and risk a public relations nightmare for the league.
- Noora Tulus, F, Lulea, SDHL (1995, Finland) - Another member of Finland's top six, Tulus continues to show she's one of the world's better scoring forwards. She's allusive with the puck, utilizing good feet and hands to create separation. There are serious questions whether or not older Finns will choose to come to the league. If it were a lock that she'd come to North America, Tulus would be higher on this list.
- Anna Meixner, F, Brynas, SDHL (1994, Austria) - The reigning SDHL MVP has battled injuries early this season, but would fit into any PWHL team's middle six with the ability to contribute on and of the puck. It will be interesting to see if she leads the way in terms of veterans hoping to test the waters in North America.
- Kristýna Kaltounková, C, Colgate, NCAA (2002, Czechia) - There's players whio look built for professional hockey, and Kaltounková's hard driving presence, and net front presence will make her an excellent scorer at the pro ranks. Kaltounková has chosen not to play for Czechia's national team for personal reasons, but she'd be an instant game changer for that program who needs more scoring to get over the hump.
- Natálie Mlýnková, C, Vermont, NCAA (2001, Czechia) - She's not at the top of NCAA scoring, but in terms of impact, numbers are deceiving with Mlýnková. Don't misinterpret this, Mlýnková can score and contribute offensively, but that's not what sets her apart. Mlýnková is a gamer. She's one of the most complete players available, and does everything you'd want from a leader. She's one of the better two-way forward around, blocks shots, forces turnovers, and takes away time and space from opponents. Plop Mlýnková onto a third line in the PWHL today and you'll notice a difference.
- Skylar Fontaine, D, ZSC Lions, SWHL (1998, USA) - In terms of positional needs, defenders will be coveted in this coming draft. There are several defenders who could steal immediate playing time, and Fontaine is likely one. She was a star at Northeastern, being named Hockey East's Defender of the Year three times, and earning two Patty Kazmaier nominations. Last year she was the SWHL's Best Defender. There will be a readjustment to the pace of the PWHL from life in Switzerland, and perhaps a few habits to hone, but Fontaine is a player teams will target.
- Allyson Simpson, RD, Colgate, NCAA (2000, USA) - If you're looking for a solid two-way contributor on the back end, Simpson could be it, and she'll be coming for someone's job in the PWHL next year. A steady force on Colgate's blueline, Simpson can defend with the best of them, and finds ways to contribute offensively, without the risk. She got the call to the December Rivalry Series.
- Anne Cherkowski, F, Clarkson, NCAA (2002, Canada) - Cherkowski can step onto a second of third line in the PWHL now and contribute with her two-way attack. She's a good skater, and a creative player who distributes the puck well. Cherkowski showed how her mere presence can shift momentum in her first games with Canada's national team at the Rivalry Series.
- Anna Wilgren, LD, Wisconsin, NCAA (1999, USA) - Wilgren is a good decision maker on the ice and has bobbed in and out of USA's national program. Healthy again after playing only 19 games over the last three years, Wilgren is on an upward arc. A full season and a strong performance at the Rivalry Series will do wonders for her draft stock, because there's still risk with her selection until she proves she can withstand the grind.
- Jennifer Gardiner, LW, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, Canada) - One thing that has set Gardiner apart in the first half of this season is her ability to step up in big games. Facing top teams, Gardiner is at her best using her game breaking abilities.
- Izzy Daniel, RW, Cornell, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Klara Hymlarova, F, St. Cloud State, NCAA (1999, Czechia)
- Sara Hjalmarsson, F, Linkoping, SDHL (1998, Sweden)
- Lara Stalder, F, EVZ, SWHL-B (1994, Switzerland) - It seems very unlikely Stalder leaves Switzerland a season after committing to building EVZ's women's program, and helping to grow the women's game in Switzerland. No list would be complete without her. If she committed to coming to North America, she'd be a first or second round pick. No one likes to play against Stalder, who mixes physicality and a compete level that gets in the face of opponents, and under their skin. She's also one of the top offensive talents in the world.
- Anna Shibanova, D, Agidel Ufa, ZHL (1994, Russia) - It will be interesting to see if any Russian player chooses to come to the new league. There's not a single Russian in the PWHL, nor was there last year in the PHF, although there was a group who expressed interest in jumping to the PHF. Based on her position and experience, Shibanova would be one who would be sought after, but star players can likely make more staying and playing in Russia.
- Casey O'Brien, C, Wisconsin, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Elle Hartje, F, Yale, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Kiara Zanon, RW, Ohio State, NCAA (2002, USA)
- Haruka Toko, Linkoping, SDHL (1997, Japan)
- Megan Carter, D, Northeastern, NCAA (2001, Canada)
- Stephanie Markowski, LD, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, Canada)
- Jenniina Nylund, F, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Finland)
- Lindsay Agnew, D, Frolunda, SDHL (1998, Canada)
- Sini Karjalainen, D, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Finland)
- Emilia Vesa, F, Frolunda, SDHL (2001, Finland)
- Noemi Neubauerova, F, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Czechia)
- Anna Shokhina, F Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg, ZHL (1997, Russia)
- Madeline Wethington, D, Minnesota, NCAA (2000, USA)
- Lara Christen, D, Bern, SWHL (2002, Switzerland)
- Hanna Thuvik, F, Brynas, SDHL (2002, Sweden)
- Hadley Hartmetz, RD, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Sadie Peart, C, Quinnpiac, NCAA (2000, USA)
- Rylind MacKinnon, D, British Columbia, USports (2000, Canada)
- Mae Batherson, RD, St. Lawrence, NCAA (2000, Canada)
- Emma Bergesen, D, Mount Royal, USports (1999, Norway)
- Olga Sosina, F, Agidel Ufa, ZHL (1992, Russia)
- Anneke Linser, F, Djurgardens, SDHL (1999, USA)
- Julia Liikala, F, HIFK, Naisten Liiga (2001, Finland)
- Kaitlyn O'Donohoe, RW, Colgate, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Sara Boucher, RW, Mercyhurst, NCAA (2002, Canada)
- Sydney Bard, RD, Colgate (2001, USA)
- Darcie Lappan, F, Clarkson, NCAA (2001, Canada)
- Estelle Duvin, F, SC Bern, SWHL (1997, France)
- Dara Greig, LW, Colgate, NCAA (2000, Canada)
- Alexie Guay, D, Clarkson, NCAA (2001, Canada)
- Jaycee Magwood, F, Lulea, SDHL (1997, Canada)
- Mannon McMahon, C, Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Maggy Burbidge, F, St. FX, USports (2001, Canada)
- Olivia Mobley, RW, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, USA)
- Anna Kjellbin, D, Lulea, SDHL (1994, Sweden)
Goaltender Rankings
- Klára Peslarová, G, Brynas, SDHL (1996, Czechia)
- Gwyneth Philips, G, Northeastern, NCAA (2000, USA)
- Valeria Tarakanova., G, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, ZHL (1998, Russia)
- Andrea Braendli, G, MoDo, SDHL (1997, Switzerland)
- Ena Nystrøm, G, Mercyhurst, NCAA (2000, Norway)
- Selma Luggin, G, Linkoping, SDHL (2002, Austria)
- Stephanie Neatby, G, Frolunda, SDHL (1998, Canada)
- Logan Angers, G, Quinnipiac, NCAA (2000, Canada)
- Kendra Woodland, G, New Brunswick, USports (2000, Canada)