PWHL San Jose sign Lily Shannon and Mckenna Van Gelder to 2 year contracts as they lock up inaugural draft class.
PWHL San Jose announced today that Lily Shannon and Mckenna Van Gelder have signed 2-year Standard Player Agreements ahead of the 2026-27 PWHL season, adding to yesterday's signings of Tia Chan and Sloane Matthews.
Shannon, drafted 40th overall, spent her collegiate career at Northeastern University where she scored 92 points (45G, 47A) in 144 career games. Shannon, 23, served as captain during the 2025-26 season and finished second in team scoring in her final campaign. The Andover, MA native was named a Hockey East First Team All Star after leading the Huskies with six game-winning goals. Shannon was the only NCAA player to record over 40 points and 40 blocked shots in the 2025-26 season.
Van Gelder, 22, played her collegiate career at Cornell University before she was drafted 52nd over by PWHL San Jose. In 134 college games, she had 86 points (41G, 45A), some of which she scored alongside fellow PWHL San Jose teammate Rory Guilday. In 2025-26, the Etobicoke, Ontario native scored 23 points (10G, 13A) in 33 games as captain. Prior to Cornell, Van Gelder won gold with Team Canada at the 2022 U18 Women’s World Championships.
With the flurry of draft signings this week, PWHL San Jose’s roster now sits at 17 players. San Jose has now signed five of their six inaugural draft picks, all of whom are locked up through at least the 2027-2028 season.
