Canada's National Development team and USA's Collegiate Select are set to hit the ice in the coming weeks for tryouts and their annual exhibition Summer Series set for Lake Placid, New York.
Among the players on these rosters, and in camp for the nations are dozens of potential 2026 PWHL Draft picks. Here's a first look at the players who will be headed to Lake Placid in August to show what they can do with their national programs, and in front of PWHL scouts.
Of the players likely to declare for the 2025 PWHL Draft, a large number will be in action this month including at least 29 at USA's National Festival. Far fewer will be in action with Canada since Canada is not holding a tryout camp, and instead named their development roster outright.
Here's a look at the 2026 PWHL Draft prospects who will be in Lake Placid.
American Prospects
Caroline Harvey, 2002, Wisconsin - Right now Harvey is the consensus number one pick and that's unlikely to change. She's not All-American, she's not just the best defender in the United States, she's All-World and considered one of the top blueliners on the planet, period.
Abbey Murphy, F, 2002, Minnesota - Fast and aggressive, a pest and a scorer; Murphy is going to wreak havoc in the PWHL.
Laila Edwards, F/D, 2004, Wisconsin - Who knows where she'll play in the PWHL. Likely as a power forward, but her versatility, size, vision, and scoring are all elite.
Lacey Eden, F, 2002, Wisconsin - A two-way star who has played a checking line role for USA's national team, but is a high end scoring threat in the NCAA. That versatility will allow her to make an immediate PWHL impact.
Tessa Janecke, 2002, Penn State - Composed and physical, Janecke plays fast and powerful. She'll be a top six scorer in the PWHL for years to come.
Sophie Morrow, D, 2004, Minnesota - Evident offensive upside and ability to play on both sides of the puck. She projects as a top four blueliner in the pros.
Kirsten Simms, F, 2004, Wisconsin - Watch her dazzle and perplex opponents with her edgework and elite hands. Simms' skills will be hard to handle.
Elyssa Biederman, F, 2004, Colgate - Undersized but a wizard with the puck on her stick. She produces and produces and uses her skill set to find space.
Emma Peschel, D, 2004, Ohio State - A big two-way defender who is next in a long line of Ohio State blueliners patrolling PWHL d-zones.
Other Draft Eligible Players At The National Festival: Grace Dwyer, D, 2004, Cornell; Kendall Butze, D, 2003, Penn State; Vivian Jungels, D, 2003, Wisconsin; Grace Campbell, G, 2003, Boston College; JoJo Chobak, G, 2001, St. Cloud State; Maddy Christian, F, 2003, Penn State; Casey Borgiel, D, 2004, Colgte; Jules Constantinople, D, 2003, Northeastern; Katie DeSa, G, 2004, Penn State; Sloane Matthews, F, 2004, Ohio State; Megan McKay, D, 2003, Clarkson; Jamie Nelson, F, 2002, Minnesota; MaryKate O'Brien, F, 2002, Minnesota-Duluth; Emerson O'Leary, F, 2004, Princeton; Taylor Otremba, F, 2004, Minnesota State; Jordan Ray, F, 2004, Yale; Katelyn Roberts, F, 2004, Penn State; Kianna Roeske, D, 2004, Minnesota State; Lily Shannon, F, 2003, Northeastern; Whitney Tuttle, F, 2004, Minnesota State.
Canadian Prospects
Tova Henderson, D, 2004, Minnesota-Duluth - There's a lot to like about Henderson's play on both sides of the puck. She's a competitor and coming from a program that has become synonymous with producing PWHL-ready players.
Sara Swiderski, D, 2004, Ohio State - Few walk the line and transition pucks as smoothly as Swiderski. It hasn't translated into offense...yet, but she's destined for a PWHL blueline.
Sarah Paul, F, 2003, Minnesota - Technically, Paul has another year of eligibility. But it's hard to imagine her staying in the NCAA beyond this season. She has an elite shot and is a pure goal scorer. She has the potential to be a surprise offensive standout in the PWHL.
Other Draft Eligible Players At The National Festival: Hailey MacLeod, G, 2004, Ohio State; Alyssa Regalado, D, 2004, Cornell; Avi Adam, F, 2004, Cornell; Ashley Messier, D/F, 2002, Minnesota-Duluth