Is Sarah Fillier the consensus first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft? It's not as obvious as some think. If anyone can steal that top spot, it's likely her Canadian teammate Danielle Serdachny.
Is Sarah Fillier the consensus first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft? It's not as obvious as some think. If anyone can steal that top spot, it's likely her Canadian teammate Danielle Serdachny.
For months fans and media have been touting the PWHL Draft as a one horse race for first overall. To be clear, there is no consensus first overall pick in this draft. In reality, any number of players could go first, and the gap among players ranked in the top 10 is small.
What's to blame for this? If you look at the NHL's player poll each year asking about the best players in women's hockey, it's typically the same three names. Women not named Marie-Philip Poulin, Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, or Sarah Nurse have for years been overlooked in the game, and while the PWHL has done away with that issue in many ways this season, the gap still exists among prospects.
Men's hockey fans new about Connor Bedard, Connor McDavid, and Sidney Crosby years before they arrived in the league. For these players, by the time they hit 14 years of age, they were approaching household names. That process is still coming in women's hockey, and when it comes to the draft, that's why there will be surprises.
At the top, Sarah Fillier could be the number one pick, but if PWHL New York goes another way, it would not be a shock. And two years down the line, Fillier may not be the top player from this class. That honor could go to Hannah Bilka, Claire Thompson, Amanda Kessel, Julia Gosling, Cayla Barnes, Daniela Pejsova, or the player perhaps most likely to steal first overall, Danielle Serdachny.
Serdachny vs. Fillier
If we go head-to-head, here's how the pair stack up. First, Fillier (2000 birth year) is a year older than Serdachny (2001 birth year). When we look at size, Serdachny has a four inch advantage on Fillier, which in the physical PWHL is certainly an advantage. Serdachny stands 5-foot-9 to Fillier's 5-foot-5.
Looking at their production this season, Serdachny had 22 goals and 61 points (1.53 points per game) in 40 games compared to Fillier's 30 goals and and 43 points in 29 games (1.48 points per game). Last year those numbers favoured Serdachny more heavily as she posted 71 points in 40 games to Fillier's 37 in 30.
In international competition this season, Serdachny posted four points in seven games for Canada, while Fillier recorded three points in seven games.
Both players excel on the powerplay as Fillier scored eight goals this season with Princeton with a player advantage, while Serdachny had six powerplay goals with Colgate.
Positionally, both have spent time on the wing and at center.
On the defensive side of the puck, both are capable, which is a point that should be obvious by their inclusion with Team Canada. Serdachny blocked 35 shots this season and was a +29, while Fillier blocked 18 and was a +10.
When looking at individual accolades, this is where Fillier has earned her notoriety. Fillier is a two-time World Championship All-Star, and the 2023 MVP. She was also the NCAA Rookie of the Year in her first season of college hockey. Conversely, Serdachny is a two-time First Team All-American, something Fillier never achieved. This season both were named NCAA Second Team All-Americans.
Who goes first and who becomes the better pro?
That's the million dollar question. If you look at the body of work, Fillier has the advantage. If you look consider what each did this season, that goes to Serdachny. There's a reasonable belief that Serdachny may become the most productive offensive player in this draft class. There's also reason to believe Fillier will be the most potent goal scorer in this draft class (although a healthy and fresh Amanda Kessel could have a word on that).
And then there's Hannah Bilka. To fully consider the first overall spot without discussing Bilka would be wrong. She's highly capable of sneaking into this position as well. Bilka is an electrifying forward who can break games open. She's dynamic, and can be a physical pest.
Whatever way you look at this, the top 10 picks in this draft are going to make a significant impact immediately in the draft, but some will be more impactful than others. PWHL New York has the enviable position of picking first overall, but the unenviable position of choosing between two elite players in Sarah Fillier and Danielle Serdachny who each could help shape the future of their team. Who will they pick?
We'll find out on June 10 in St. Paul, Minnesota.