Grading Each PWHL Team's 2024 Draft Class

Some teams were able to pick more consistently and better address positional needs across the draft. Here's a team-by-team grading of each PWHL team's draft class.

The PWHL Draft is in the books. Here's a team-by-team grade and draft day review. It wasn't the draft Minnesota predicted, but other PWHL teams found ways to add value across the draft.

Round 1, Pick 4 - Hannah Bilka, F (Ohio State University), Round 2, Pick 7 (via New York) - Daniela Pejšová, D (Luleå HF), Round 4, Pick 22 - Sydney Bard, D (Colgate University), Round 6, Pick 34 - Shay Maloney, F (Leksand IF), Round 7, Pick 37 (via New York) - Ilona Markova, F (Agidel Ufa), Round 7, Pick 40 - Hadley Hartmetz, D (Ohio State University).

Boston's first two picks were back-to-back home runs. They got one of the most dynamic and dazzling forwards on the planet in Hannah Bilka who will make their forward group more dangerous immediately. They also got the defender, Daniela Pejšová, who it could be easily said will be the best defender in this draft class by the end of next year. She's only 21, and already an elite skater, who is physical, and can push play at both ends. Sydney Bard is another fantastic puck mover, mobile defender, and as importantly, all three of their picks at the top end are good people. Shay Maloney was a bit of a surprise at 34th, but in a depth checking line role, she can contribute. Where Boston swung for the fences again was with their final two picks. Ilona Markova will need an adaptation period to the PWHL after being stuck in Russia the last two seasons, but there's nothing that wouldn't suggest the 22-year-old who was one of the sports rising stars prior to Russia being banned from IIHF competition, won't end the season in Boston's top six. Hartmetz is a good pick, but an injury caused her to slide. If healthy, she's a player. 

Round 1, Pick 3 - Claire Thompson, D (PWHPA), Round 2, Pick 9 - Britta Curl, F (University of Wisconsin), Round 3, Pick 15 - Klára Hymlárová, F (St. Cloud University), Round 4, Pick 21 - Brooke McQuigge, F (Clarkson University), Round 5, Pick 27 - Dominique Petrie, F (Clarkson University), Round 6, Pick 33 - Mae Batherson, D (St. Lawrence University), Round 7, Pick 39 - Katy Knoll, F (Northeastern University).

Somewhere Natalie Darwitz was sitting, sipping a drink, and chuckling as this draft unfolded for PWHL Minnesota. It would be fair to say that PWHL Minnesota overshot on each of their seven selections, perhaps aside from Mae Batherson at pick 33. Claire Thompson is certainly an elite player, and she'll help jumpstart Minnesota's attack from the back end. There's little critique there aside from the fact there may be some early season rust to kick. Britta Curl on the ice can certainly be a difference maker in her puck retrievals and tracking. Off ice, fan response was mixed on the pick. Hymlárová is a spectacular player and will provide different layers to Minnesota's game at both ends of the ice. This is where their draft went in different directions yet again. McQuigge is a good player, gritty, and will make a fourth line better, but she could have been had 2-3 rounds later or perhaps as a free agent. Knoll is another strong two-way depth add, but she would have almost certainly been available via free agency. Petrie is an upgrade to Minnesota's depth, and Batherson should help their third pairing. Overall, this is the weakest class of any PWHL franchise.

Round 1, Pick 5 - Cayla Barnes, D (Ohio State University), Round 2, Pick 11 - Jennifer Gardiner, F (Ohio State University), Round 3, Pick 17 - Abigail Boreen, F (PWHL Minnesota), Round 4, Pick 23 - Dara Greig, F (Colgate University), Round 5, Pick 29 - Anna Wilgren, D (University of Wisconsin), Round 6, Pick 35 - Anna Kjellbin, D (Luleå HF), Round 7, Pick 41 - Amanda Kessel, F (DNP)

They didn't get a lot of flash...but they got a lot of oomph. PWHL Minnesota had planned to take Cayla Barnes at third overall prior to the departure of Natalie Darwitz, but instead, the elite USA national team defender and national champion with Ohio State fell into the laps of Montreal. Next up were a pair of big game performers in Jennifer Gardiner and Abby Boreen, who they poached from Minnesota. Gardiner should slot onto Montreal's second line, but she'll have competition for the spot. Dara Greig could become Montreal's steal in this draft. Often discussed as a tenacious checker who is hard to play against, Greig has a higher offensive ceiling than many give her credit for. Their next two picks are steady as she goes, reliable blueliners. What Wilgren lacks in upside, she makes up for in consistency. The same could be said for adding Swedish captain and international veteran Anna Kjellbin. It won't be a lot of wow and zow, but she'll contribute reliable minutes with experience in a body checking league. Then there's Amanda Kessel. The intriguing part here is, the biggest competition Montreal will have in signing Kessel is the league itself. There are rumors circulating that Amanda Kessel is a name in the running to become Minnesota's next general manager, and that's the reason she went unselected until the second last pick of the draft. Do you get a compensatory pick if the owner of your team steals a player to work for another team they also own? If they get Kessel into the lineup, it could turn out to be a game changer.

Round 1, Pick 1 - Sarah Fillier, F (Princeton University), Round 2, Pick 10 (via Boston) - Maja Nylén Persson, D (Brynäs IF), Round 3, Pick 13 - Noora Tulus, F (Luleå HF), Round 3, Pick 16 (via Boston) Allyson Simpson, D (Colgate University), Round 4, Pick 19 - Gabby Rosenthal, F (DNP), Round 5, Pick 25 - Elle Hartje, F (Yale University), Round 6, Pick 31 - Emmy Fecteau, F (Concordia University).

If you're reading this Pascal Daoust, don't let it go to your head, but this was a masterclass in drafting. Finally having a season to prepare, PWHL New York was one of the most active teams in terms of scouting and doing their homework. If the draft ended at Sarah Fillier, it would be a win for New York, but they traded down to get extra picks that turned into the SDHL's leading scorer and Finnish national team star Noora Tulus, three-time SDHL Defender of the Year and Swedish blueliner Maja Nylen Persson, and Colgate defender Allyson Simpson. New York will have one of, if not the deepest blueline in the league, and they added some scoring power. They followed that up by going off the board to pick Gabby Rosenthal, who was a member of USA's national team at the Rivalry Series in 2022, but didn't declare for the draft last year and took the season off. It raised a few eyebrows to see her go in the top 20, but they followed that up with Elle Hartje, who went lower than most expected. The Yale captain is a stellar pivot who knows how to produce and brings some off ice star power to the market. Similarly, Swiss Army Knife Emmy Fecteau, the lone U Sports athlete selected is a character leader, two-way standout, and a player who could turn out to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.

Round 1, Pick 2 - Danielle Serdachny, F (Colgate University), Round 2, Pick 8 - Ronja Savolainen, D (Luleå HF), Round 3, Pick 14 - Gwyneth Philips, G (Northeastern University), Round 4, Pick 20 - Stephanie Markowski, D (Ohio State University), Round 5, Pick 26 - Mannon McMahon, F (University of Minnesota-Duluth), Round 6, Pick 32 - Anna Meixner, F (Brynäs IF), Round 7, Pick 38 - Madeline Wethington, D (University of Minnesota).

Ottawa addressed needs and wants in this draft getting a top line center who could perhaps become the top offensive producer from the draft class. To add to it, Ottawa addressed concerns of size and defensive depth picking up top Finnish blueliner Ronja Savolainen who is a two way threat and loves to play a physical game. Although Ottawa thought they may run it back with Sandra Abstreiter in the pipes, they picked up the consensus top goaltender in the draft picking NCAA star Gwyneth Philips who will be able to spell off Emerance Maschmeyer, and also challenge her for starts as the season progresses. Stephanie Markowski is another two-way defender who blocks shots, can jump into the play, and contribute consistency to Ottawa's blueline. One of the steals of the draft could turn out to be Austrian star Anna Meixner who is skilled, can score, and has good speed. She battled injuries last season, but a healthy Meixner would be a major boost. Wethington on the blueline doesn't have a high ceiling, but she's big and consistent, while McMahon could develop into one of the better two-way centers in Ottawa's bottom six, and she has scoring upside.

Round 1, Pick 7 - Julia Gosling, F (St. Lawrence University), Round 2, Pick 12 - Megan Carter, D (Northeastern University), Round 3, Pick 18 - Izzy Daniel, F (Cornell University), Round 4, Pick 24 - Lauren Bernard, D (Ohio State University), Round 5, Pick 30 - Noemi Neubauerova, F (Brynäs IF), Round 6, Pick 36 - Anneke Linser, F (Djurgårdens IF), Round 7, Pick 42 - Raygan Kirk, G (Ohio State University).

Toronto wanted insurance for Natalie Spooner, so they drafted the younger version of her in Julia Gosling, a power forward who can score, and exudes positive energy on and off the ice. They followed up that pick With tough nosed defender and leader Megan Carter. What Jocelyne Larocque is to Renata Fast, Carter will be to Kali Flanagan. Stylistically, this is a match made in heaven. Landing the Patty Kazmaier winner, Izzy Daniel at 18 was a good pick up. She'll add an Emma Maltais style impact to Toronto with a high offensive ceiling, two-way acumen, and character. If Toronto wanted better bottom six depth, they got it in Noemi Neubauerova who is physical, and plays an in your face game. Off the ice, she's going to become a fan favorite. Anneke Linser also achieves the goal of adding size and scoring depth down the lineup in Toronto. Lauren Bernard is a steady defender who will help Toronto's third pairing, likely alongside Allie Munroe, and Raygan Kirk is an upgrade in net, although it was surprising to see Toronto pass on Klara Peslarova here. It's believed the interview process hurt Peslarova, and Toronto instead went with the Hockey Canada familiar Raygan Kirk. For picking last in each round, Toronto certainly made the most of their selections.