2025 PWHL Draft: November Rankings

The PWHL season is about to begin, but teams have already been hard at work scouting for the 2025 PWHL Draft, which also includes the uncertainty of expansion that could change the number of picks and rounds. Here's THN's November rankings for the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Kristyna Kaltounkova, a star at Colgate, is entering her final season of NCAA hockey and will be a top prospect for the 2025 PWHL Draft. She discusses her game and what's to come.

The PWHL season is about to begin, while international, NCAA, and U Sports seasons are well into the heart of their schedules. With months in the books, the picture surrounding the 2025 PWHL Draft is beginning to come into frame.

Perhaps the biggest question is, 'how many rounds and picks will there be in 2025?'" Until the league announces expansion plans, it's unlikely anyone will know the answer to this, which will likely encourage teams to deepen their scouting efforts this season as they may need to dip deeper into the prospect pool to fill out their selections.

At the top, question marks remain as well, specifically in terms of Abbey Murphy and Lacey Eden who are both PWHL ready, but could conceivably return for another season of NCAA hockey. Both are looking like first round prospects.

The other position that will likely come down to team preference at the draft, is the order of top end defenders. It's a list that includes Nicole Gosling, Rory Guilday, and Haley Winn. With only three defenders who fall into this unique elite bracket, teams might jump at defenders earlier in the draft boosting their ranking based on need. Beyond this trio, Kendall Cooper and Emma Seitz are two of the next players on the list.

Here's a look at The Hockey News' November rankings for the 2025 PWHL Draft. We looked at a potential six round, 48 pick draft.

2025 PWHL Draft Rankings

Abbey Murphy, RW, 2002, Minnesota / Team USA - Murphy is a pest, she's got great speed, and game breaking capabilities. She impacts every inch of the ice and has a physical edge that will benefit her in the PWHL, but her dynamic skillset is what will make her a star, and almost certainly the consensus first overall pick...if she declares.
Haley Winn, D, 2003, Clarkson / Team USA - A mobile, right shot defender who is deceptive along the line. She moves extremely well in all directions and puts pucks into spaces where offense can be created. On the small side, but she's shown she can play in physical, fast paced games through her national team performances. Great distributor of the puck.
Krystina Kaltounkova, C, 2002, Colgate - A physical net front presence who is one of the most pure scorers and producers in the NCAA. Her style is a perfect match for the PWHL and she could become one of the league's top producers in short order. Kaltounkova is also undervalued at times defensively because of her goal scoring ability, but she never shies away from a puck battle, or blocking a shot. Watch for Kaltounkova to soon make her Team Czechia debut.
Viivi Vainikka, C, 2001, Lulea / Team Finland - Despite the fact the Atlantic Ocean is separating Vainikka from the PWHL, she's making sure people take notice. There has not been a game, or shift for that matter, where Vainikka hasn't made an impact this season in the SDHL and internationally. She is physically capable, powers away from defenders through open ice to create separation, and when she arrives at the net, she is a finisher.
Natalie Mlynkova, LW, 2001, Minnesota / Team Czechia - When you watched Mlynkova play at Worlds last year, she looked like a player with something to prove. She carried the Czech attack, and is one of the better two way forwards, albeit one who can produce at high rates. If Murphy doesn't declare, Mlynkova immediately joins the discussion for first overall.
Lacey Eden, RW, 2002, Wisconsin / Team USA - Eden is a two way talent who can produce, but also knows how to play a checking role from her time with Team USA. She's probably one of the most underrated players in college hockey. Good speed, does the simple things well, and makes those around her better.
Nicole Gosling, D, 2002, Clarkson / Team Canada - Rock solid, great first pass and at getting pucks through traffic. Gosling can produce, but more importantly, she chooses her opportunities in a calculated manner. She is equally adept on both sides of the puck, and expertly takes away shooting lanes. The 2024 NCAA Defender of the Year, Gosling will be a top four stalwart in this league for a decade.
Rory Guilday, D, 2002, Cornell / Team USA - Steady without the flash but makes an excellent first pass. With her size and poise, she sometimes looks like Lee Stecklein, but with less offensive upside. She's certainly one of the better defensive defenders in the world. Teams in this league need shutdown players.
Casey O'Brien, C, 2001, Wisconsin - O'Brien has been producing at an eye-popping pace with Wisconsin, as she's done in past seasons. She could easily climb into the first round. She sees the ice so well, and is one of the best in the face-off dot in college hockey. Showed well at the Rivalry Series.
Elisa Holopainen, RW, 2001, Frolunda / Team Finland - Holopainen has a strong shot and sees the ice well. She still needs to fill out physically before she steps into the PWHL, but her hand and vision are ready to be in the world's best league. Declaration is not guaranteed, but the move to the SDHL this season shows she's ready to challenge herself.
Michaela Pejzlova, F, 1997, Ambrì-Piotta / Team Czechia - Although she's off to a strong start in Switzerland, Pejzlova's continued choice to play against weaker competition will hurt her draft day stock. At the World Championships, Pejzlova looks highly capable of jumping into the PWHL, but there will be an adjustment. Highly skilled, and like other Czech players, she's got a strong compete level and defensive awareness.
Abby Hustler, F, 2003, St. Lawrence - One of the best playmakers in the NCAA, Hustler's year over year improvement shows she's nowhere near her ceiling. Hustler creates chances every time she's on the ice, but is also intelligent on the defensive side. Overlooked by Canada, any team that sleeps on Hustler will kick themselves after the draft.
Jenna Buglioni, C, 2002, Ohio State - A model of consistency at Ohio State, the Buckeyes' captain has a strong two-way game. High hockey IQ will allow Buglioni to start lower in a lineup and work her way up. While she excels in a defensive role, including as a willing shot blocker and in the face-off dot, Buglioni is showing her offensive upside with the added responsibility at Ohio State. Her size at only 5-foot-3 will be a consideration.
Michelle Karvinen, LW, 1990, Frolunda / Team Finland - One of the best in the world, it would be a shame not to see Karvinen come to North America, even for a year or two. She plays an all-around game, but has for more than a decade been among a select group of offensive players. At 34, she still has a few seasons of production left. It's hard to overlook a player who could find herself on Hall of Fame ballots. Will she declare?
Anne Cherkowski, C, 2002, Clarkson - She's highly capable of playing a checking role and contributing as a two-way threat. With the depth of the PWHL's talent pool, there will be teams who covet what Cherkowski brings.
Hanna Olsson, C, 1999, Frolunda / Team Sweden - After a year of injuries, Olsson looks like she's fully recovered, and back to herself. One of the best European players remaining outside the PWHL, Olsson could be a hidden gem in this draft. She's experienced, and part of an ever improving Swedish national team.
Kendall Cooper, D, 2002, Quinnipiac - Likes to transport the puck from her own end. Picking her spots will be the lesson to learn in the PWHL, so she doesn't get caught up ice at inopportune times. Cooper can also play with an edge.
Jenniina Nylund, LW, 1999, Brynas / Team Finland - For a team looking to add a veteran presence with offensive upside, who can handle a physical game, Nylund could be a dream fit. With expansion, Nylund who is heaving a breakout season could find her way into a middle six. She can be a strong net front presence, but she's also shown growth this season supporting the puck and defensively.
Kiara Zanon, F, 2002, Ohio State - A model of consistency in her NCAA career, Zanon moves well, and knows what it takes to win. Slick with the puck, and consistent producer. Will need to adapt to middle-six role.
Sara Hjalmarsson, C, 1998, Linkoping / Team Sweden - She's big, and does not shy away from the physical game. Hjalmarsson can also score. Plugging her into a bottom six, and watching to see how her immense upside translates will be fun. Hjalmarsson is also a very strong two-way player who can be counted upon defensively.
Emma Seitz, D, 2000, MoDo - A shifty defender who loves to jump into the play, Seitz is extremely mobile, and could already be in the PWHL. She's the type of person you want in your room.
Skylar Irving, C, 2002, Northeastern - An early climber in the rankings, Irving has shown she can take her game to a higher level when the opportunity presents. She's one of the better two-way forwards in the NCAA.
Reece Hunt, LW, 2001, Lulea - If Hunt continues at her current pace, there may be teams disappointed they didn't take her in the 2024 Draft. Hunt had a good NCAA career, and has adapted seamlessly to the SDHL with Lulea, where she's showing her scoring punch can translate.
Emma Gentry, C, 2002, St. Cloud State - Big bodied forward who could handle herself physically in the PWHL. Likes to get to the net, plays a powerful game. Might get shifted to the wing in the PWHL.
Vita Ponyatovskaya, D, 2003, Yale - A fun defender to watch, Ponyatovskaya can dazzle creeping in from the blueline or joining the rush. Great hands, especially for a defender, and extremely mobile.
Ella Huber, C, 2002, Minnesota - Good speed and hockey IQ. Huber sees the ice well and often generates offense through her defensive play.
Emma Bergesen, D, 1999, SDE - Has the smarts and vision. Sees the ice well and not afraid to jump into the rush. Learning valuable lessons in the SDHL.
Maddi Wheeler, F, 2002, Ohio State - A 200-foot player, seeing a boost to her offensive game after transfer to Ohio State.
Nina Jobst-Smith, D, 2001, Minnesota-Duluth / Team Germany - Capable of bigger things, evident from her role on the international stage. Reliable in all situations.
Riley Brengman, D, 2002, Ohio State - Steady and often overlooked playing behind a group of four PWHL drafted defenders last season. Not a huge offensive contributor, but there's enough of those in the PWHL already.
Clara Van Wieren, C, 2002, Minnesota-Duluth
Anna Segedi, F, 2000, St. Lawrence
Peyton Hemp, RW, 2003, Minnesota
Makenna Webster, RW, 2002, Ohio State
Neena Brick, C, 2003, Colgate
Lily Deliandis, F, 2001, Cornell
Mackenzie Kordic, F, 2001, British Columbia - Big and mean with an edge and ability to score. Along with Leah Herrfort, Kordic is probably the best available U Sports player, and given her skillset, would make a hard to play against depth grinder in the league.
Ashley Messier, D, 2002, Cornell
Hanna Baskin, D, 2003, Minnesota-Duluth
Sarah Wozniewicz, RW, 2002, Wisconsin
Lyndie Lobdell, D, 2002, Penn State
Morgan Neitzke, F, 2003, Lindenwood
Andrea Brandli, G, MoDo / Team Switzerland - Given the potential for two new teams to enter the league, there will be a need for goaltenders with starting potential, and Andrea Brandli has shown she can face the world's top shooters internationally with Switzerland, and she continues to put in consistent work in the SDHL.
Millie Sirum, F, 2003, Providence / Team Norway -
Abby Newhook, F, 2003, Boston College
Maya Labad, F, 2002, Quinnipiac
Sanni Ahola, G, 2000, St. Cloud State
Sydney Langseth, F, 2002, Minnesota State

2025 PWHL Draft Watch List

Lindsay Agnew, D, 1998, Linkoping
Brooke Becker, D, 2002, Providence
Lauren Bellefontaine, C, 2000, MoDo
Mia Biotti, D, 2002, Harvard
Kennedy Bobyck, RW, 2001, HV71
Brianna Brooks, F, 2002, Penn State
Maggy Burbidge, F, 2001, HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Andrea Dalen, F, 1992, Frolunda / Team Norway
Jessymaude Drapeau, F, 2000, Concordia
Estelle Duvin, F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France
Sydney Fess, D, 2002, Clarkson
Skylar Fontaine, D, 1998, ZSC Lions
Jenna Goodwin, C, 2003, Clarkson
Alexie Guay, D, 2001, MoDo
Jada Habisch, F, 2002, Connecticut
Leah Herrfort, F 2001, Waterloo
Jenni Hiirikoski, D, 1987, Lulea / Team Finland
Linnéa Johansson, RW, 2002, Lulea / Team Sweden
Kira Juodikis, F, 2003, New Hampshire
Courtney Kollman, F, 2000, HC Davos
Ida Kuoppala, RW, 2000 Skelleftea AIK
Elizabeth Lang, F, 2000, HC Davos
Darcie Lappan, LW, 2001, MoDo
Sinja Leeman, F, 2002, ZSC Lions / Team Switzerland
Julia Liikala, F, 2001, Ambri-Piotta / Team Finland
Sophie Lundin, F, 2000, Frolunda / Team Sweden
Jaycee Magwood, RW, 1997, Lulea
Kylee Mahoney, F, 2003, Mercyhurst
Sarah Marchand, F, 2003, St. Lawrence
Tory Mariano, D, 2003, Northeastern
Nadia Mattivi, D, 2000, Lulea / Team Italy
Alyssa Mcleod, F, 2002, St. Lawrence
Olivia Mobley, RW, 2001, Ohio State
Jamie Nelson, F, 2002, Minnesota State
Maggie Nicholson, D, 2002, Minnesota
Emily Nix, RW, 1998, SDE / Team Germany
Emma Nordin, F, 1991, Lulea
Kaitlyn O'Donohoe, RW, 2001, Brynas
Sydney Pederson, D, 2003, Mercyhurst
Maude Pepin, F, 1999, Bishop's
Brette Pettet, F, 1999, Djurgardens
Marianne Picard, C, 2002, Wisconsin
Ava Rinker, D, 2002, Connecticut
Clara Rozier, F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France
Maddy Samoskevich, C/D, 2002, Quinnipiac
Shailynn Snow, F, 2001, HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Elin Svensson, F, 2002, HV71 / Team Sweden
Haruka Toko, C, 1997, Linkoping / Team Japan
Vanessa Upson, F, 2003, Mercyhurst
Emilia Vesa, LW, 2001, Frolunda. / Tem Finland
Rachel Weiss, F, 2001, HV71
Pia Dukaric, G, 2000, Yale / Team Slovenia
Hannah Murphy, G, 2003, Colgate
Ena Nystrom, G, 2000, Brynas / Team Norway
Callie Shanahan, G, 2003, Boston University
Amanda Thiele, G, 2002, Ohio State
Skylar Vetter, G, 2003, Minnesota
Kassidy Sauve, G, 1996, SDE