The Boston Fleet needed to rebuild their roster following the loss of key players in the Expansion Draft. Boston had been left with a slim roster that looked nothing like the team that had taken the ice in 2024-25.
Here is the roster before the draft, an [X] representing a vacant spot and a [Y] following the name representing a player already in the league that the Fleet acquired via free agency:
Chloe Aurard [Y] - Alina Muller - Hannah Brandt
Jamie Lee Rattray - Susanna Tapani - Shay Maloney
Jill Saulnier - Liz Schepers (Y) - Laura Kluge (Y)
Theresa Schafzahl - X - Sophie Shirley
Megan Keller - X
Zoe Boyd (Y) - Daniela Pejsova
Rylind MacKinnon (Y) - X
Hadley Hartmetz
Aerin Frankel
Abbey Levey
X
And here it is after the draft:
Chloe Aurard - Alina Muller - Hannah Brandt
Jamie Lee Rattray - Susanna Tapani - Shay Maloney
Jill Saulnier - Ella Huber - Olivia Mobley
Theresa Schafzahl - Liz Schepers - Laura Kluge
Abby Newhook - Sophie Shirley
Megan Keller - Haley Winn
Zoe Boyd - Daniela Pejsova
Rylind MacKinnon - Riley Brengman
Hadley Hartmetz
Aerin Frankel
Amanda Thiele
Abbey Levy
The 2025 PWHL Draft had six rounds, each team guaranteed six picks (many more however if you are New York and decide to trade).
Boston Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer said ahead of the draft, “it’s been quite the month with expansion and the player signing window. It feels really nice to put some players into positions on our team and fill some holes that we needed to fill. I feel like we have a pretty complete roster as we head into the offseason and get ready to come back to training camp.”
The Fleet held the second pick in the first round of the draft as well as the 10th, 18th, 26th, 34th and 42nd. No trades were made and the Fleet gained six new players who will rebuild the team’s image in the coming year. Following the departure of key players like Hilary Knight.
Round 1, Pick 2: Haley Winn
With the second pick of the first round the Boston Fleet selected Haley Winn.
Winn played at Clarkson, and in the past season played 38 games, totaling 46 points as a defender. Winn also helped USA win gold at the World Championship this year recording three total points. She was the strongest defender in the draft class, and just what Boston needed to complement Megan Keller, who has been leading the Fleet’s defense for the past two seasons.
The Fleet can use Winn’s physicality and skill on both sides of the ice. The Fleet are looking to rebuild their team following expansion and trades.
Winn told The Hockey News ahead of the draft, "I think it's super exciting, when I came into college, even four years ago, you didn't have this opportunity to play professionally after college. It's just such an exciting step in the game and something that's so cool to grow the game and inspire girls and show them there's something to work for after college. I'm just so fortunate to be playing in a time like this and have an opportunity to continue playing, to play for a long time, and be able to hopefully make it a career."
Round 2, Pick 10: Ella Huber
Ella Huber, the 5’5” 22-year-old forward from the University of Minnesota is a great addition to the Fleets front line. In 42 games last season, Huber had 15 goals and 33 assists.
Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer spoke about Huber following the pick and said, “[she is] just [an] unbelievable skater, a great presence, and I think she's got a lot of detail to her game that's gonna allow her to play in this level and translate right away and adapt right away.”
Round 3, Pick 18: Olivia Mobley
The 5’9” forward had a whirlwind of a journey to get to the Fleet. Mobley played three years at Quinnipiac, then one year at Ohio State and just completed her fifth year at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Mobley played 39 games last season, racking up 19 goals and 8 assists. Her size and speed will help the Fleet in the coming season.
Mobley was unavailable during the draft for a comment, but later said, “it is a dream come true for me. I'm very grateful, because five years when I started college, this was not an opportunity, so I couldn't be more ecstatic to be in this position and more grateful for all the people that created it.”
Round 4, Pick 26: Riley Brengman
Filling in the blue line, the Fleet selected Riley Brengman in the fourth round. Brengman played at Ohio State for the past five years. Last season with the ‘A’ on her chest, she played 40 games, scoring 4 goals and recording 15 assists. The 5’5” defender’s bringing insane speed to the Fleet’s defense. She has a great penalty kill and is consistent on the ice.
When asked what she is bringing to the Fleet team, she said “just being a steady, consistent defender, being super reliable, and allowing the coach to know what they’re going to get from me every time I step out there.”
Round 5, Pick 34: Abby Newhook
The forward from Boston College is staying in the city, moving the short distance from Newton to Lowell! Abby Newhook brings leadership, physicality, and is a strong two-way player.
Off the ice, Newhook has taken social media by a storm. Her former teammates all travelled to see her get drafted. They made custom t-shirts and went ‘viral’ for their show of support for the new Fleet player.
They were also seen raiding the PWHL store following the selection, purchasing Boston Fleet gear. Tsongas Center get ready for some Newhook pride in the stands this season.
Her brother, Alex, also made an appearance at the draft. Alex currently plays for the Canadians in the NHL, and Abby was in attendance when Alex was drafted. He supported his sister at the PWHL draft six years later. He was also seen rocking a “Abby” bracelet which took fans by a storm!
Fleet General Manager spoke on the decision to draft the Boston College Captain, “She is a high skill player. She's played with elite players. She competes and is just a workhorse, and [is] somebody who I think her game is going to be elevated by playing with elite players.”
Round 6 Pick 42: Amanda Thiele
With the final Fleet pick of the PWHL draft they selected Amanda Thiele. The 5’10” goalie will be a good backup to Aerin Frankel. Following Peslarova and Soderberg departing the PWHL, the backup goalie spot was open for the Fleet. Although Thiele had her worst season last year at Ohio State, averaging a .887 save percentage in 29 games, there is no reason to count her out. Standing five inches taller than Frankel, Thiele could thrive in the backup position, however the starting goaltender position is not threatened nor would the Fleet consider anyone but Frankel at number one.
Thiele wasn’t in attendance at the draft, however commented later and said, “that was probably one of the coolest feelings ever. I was with my family at home, and we were all watching and just to be able to see a dream fulfilled live time with just everyone around me, that was just one of the coolest feelings.”
Thiele also expressed excitement about moving back to the East Coast, but there was one thing in particular she was anticipating. She said, “I'm so excited to meet the fans of Boston. I mean, just from watching the games, they're a rowdy bunch, and I'm fired up to get to meet them.”
Overall
The Fleet got a variety of additions to the team, in the form of three forwards, two defenders, and one goalie. They need to continue to develop their team and form a new identity following the departure of several key players. This is a good start for the team, however more work still needs to be done before the puck drops on year three.