Not only will Detroit be home to the PWHL's ninth franchise, the city will also play host to 2026 PWHL Draft at the Fox Theatre ushering in a new era of stars for the league.
The 2026 PWHL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan. Alongside the announcement of a PWHL franchise in Detroit to begin play in the 2026-27 season, the PWHL also announced they'll host the 2026 PWHL Draft at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
The 2026 Draft is set to see the Vancouver Goldeneyes, who were an expansion franchise in 2025-26, select first overall.
Among the top players eligible for the 2026 PWHL Draft include Olympic gold medalists from Team USA, Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Abbey Murphy, Tessa Janecke, and Kirsten Simms. Olympians including Olympic Best Goaltender Andrea Brandli, Finnish national team members Petra Nieminen, Nelli Laitinen, and Viivi Vainikka, and Czechia's Tereza Pistekova are also slated to enter the league.
Currently, 13 PWHL players from Michigan, second most of any American state, are represented in the PWHL.
That number will grow through the 2026 PWHL Draft as top prospects including Simms, and Elyssa Biederman will be top picks.
While the PWHL did not announce news of their 2026 Awards, the league has coupled the draft and awards ceremony since the inaugural season.