Much of the work to retool bluelines across the PWHL will happen in free agency. Currently, much of the PWHL has work to do on their blueline.
The reigning champion Minnesota Frost only have one defender under contract, and a second whose rights they own as a restricted free agent. In Montreal, they have a pair of defenders signed. Boston and Ottawa each have two signed and another restricted free agent, while Toronto has three signed and a restricted free agent. The most complete blueline among the original six teams is in New York where the Sirens have four defenders under contract and two restricted free agents.
Looking at the two expansion teams, Seattle has four signed defenders and a restricted free agent, while Vancouver has four signed blueliners.
In total, it means there are 27 roster spots, assuming each team carries seven defenders, available across the league.
From The Hockey News' final draft rankings, 13 of the top 48 prospects, which is how many picks the 2025 PWHL Draft will entail. There are also 14 restricted free agent defenders. Between the two pools, and other draft eligible players, the roster spots will be filled. Three of the draft eligible defenders - Haley Winn, Nicole Gosling, and Rory Guilday -
Here's a look at the top defensive prospects for the 2025 PWHL Draft that will help the original six retool, and the two expansion teams fill out their roster.
Top Defensive Prospects
1. Haley Winn, D, 21, Clarkson (NCAA)
Fantastic skater who is dangerous in transition, Haley Winn is a top four member of Team USA's blueline, which tells you right there she'll be counted on immediately in a top four role in the PWHL. She is the type of puck moving defender that is hard to come by, and she's not afraid to engage physically either.
2. Nicole Gosling, D, 23, Clarkson (NCAA)
Nicole Gosling is a smart blueliner, who makes a good first pass. She was the 2024 NCAA Defender of the Year and won gold with Canada at the 2024 World Championships. Gosling manages her own zone well, but also likes to jump into the play. From the blueline, she finds shooting lanes and gets pucks into scoring positions.
3. Rory Guilday, D, 22, Cornell (NCAA)
Using her imposing 5-foot-11 frame, Rory Guilday is a prototypical defensive defender. Mobile for her size, Guilday makes good choices with the puck, and uses her reach to take lanes and space from attackers. There's a lot of Lee Stecklein in Guilday's game, a comparison that should have a lineup of teams hoping to pick the Cornell grad and gold medalist as a member of USA's national team.
4. Kendall Cooper, D, 23, Quinnipiac (NCAA)
Not afraid to mix it up physically, Kendall Cooper is a competitive player who is mobile on the back end. She likes to transport the puck herself, but is also a threat joining the play and activating from the blueline. Will need to learn to pick her places as a pro, but all the tools are here for Cooper to become a longterm fixture in the PWHL.
5. Nina Jobst-Smith, D, 23, Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
Fans are going to love Nina Jobst-Smith. She's underrated coming out of the stacked WcHA, but played big minutes for Minnesota-Duluth and Germany internationally. Rarely loses a puck battle, and does the little things right, Jobst-Smith will quietly contribute in many ways. There's a growing trend as well, showing Minnesota-Duluth players coming to the PWHL well prepared.
6. Vita Ponyatovskaya, D, 22, Yale (NCAA)
As a defender, Vita Ponyatovskaia can dazzle using her evasive skating and puck skills to slip into the offensive fray. Walking in from the blueline or joining the rush, she’s a dynamic player. Yale has continued to promote solid competitors to the PWHL. Ponyatovskaya has a high ceiling, but shouldn't be expected to carry more than a third pairing load in season one.
7. Dayle Ross, D, 22, St. Cloud State (NCAA)
A player many PWHL fans will not have heard of, it doesn't mean Dayle Ross won't be a fan favourite in the league in short time. A powerful skater who does the little things right, Ross is physically capable of using her body in the PWHL. She takes away time and space, and is hard on pucks. Hard to overlook her skating and the fact she's not easy to push off a puck, but highly capable of separating attackers from the puck.
8. Riley Brengman, D, 22, Ohio State (NCAA)
When the bulk of Ohio State's blueline moved to the PWHL after last season, Brengman was the longest standing veteran remaining. A good passer, Brengman likes to close shooting lanes with her body and isn't afraid to block shots. Not a lot of flash, but highly capable of developing into a contributer.
9. Hanna Baskin, D, 21, Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
Baskin is a solid defensive defender. She takes care of her own end, and is a skilled shot blocker. Baskin makes good first passes moving the puck out of danger quickly in the defensive zone. She's a low risk player who will be more of a distributor and defender who aims to keep pucks deep rather than one that takes a ton of shots.
10. Lyndie Lobdell, D, 22, Penn State (NCAA)
Lobdell is reliable and makes good decisions with the puck. She's a heads up player who makes good outlet passes. Can also handle the physical play.
11. Tamara Giaquinto, D, 23, Boston University (NCAA)
Boston University has some intriguing prospects in the second half of this draft including Giaquinto, a reliable two-way defender who doesn't flash and dash, but takes care of her zone. She makes good outlets, and defends well.
12. Brooke Becker, D, 23, Providence (NCAA)
Consistency is Becker's calling card. Becker wins a lot of puck battles, and defends well. She has good possession numbers. Lacks flash and offensive upside, but could prove a reliable depth addition.
13. Julia Shaunessy, D, 23, Boston University (NCAA)
If there were a development league for the PWHL, Shaunessy might be a second or third round pick. She's a 6-foot-1 defender who can lug the puck up ice. She has good vision and moves well for her size. Her upside is immense if a team is willing to give her protected minutes and let her game rise to the level. The problem with the PWHL is that development hasn't been a focus, especially for defenders on several teams.
14. Maggie MacEachern, D, 2001, KRS Shenzhen (WCIHL)
A steady blueliner who finds ways to drive possession. Focuses on her own end first, but got an opportunity to be offensive at times this season in China. Former Canadian U-18 captain. Following expansion, MacEachern's reliability and experience might see her jump as much as 5-6 spot on this list of defenders.
15. Nicole Vallario, D, 2001, St. Thomas (NCAA)
Swiss national team player had a breakout season on the international stage and has been a steadying force for St. Thomas. Has faced the best for years at Worlds.
16. Olivia Muhn, D, 2003, Yale (NCAA)
Smooth player who thinks the game well. There's belief Muhn could be a quiet contributor who earns respect from her low risk game.
17. Ava Rinker, D, 2002, Connecticut (NCAA)
Defensive defender who knows what it takes to shut down top lines. She's not going to dangle and dash, but she's going to provide consistent minutes and a reliable approach.
18. Emily Rickwood, D, 2000, KRS Shenzhen (WCIHL)
Does the little things right. Loves to block shots and battles hard. Got a good opportunity to grow her offensive game this season in China.
19. Karley Garcia, D, 2003, Penn State (NCAA)
Advanced stats make Garcia and intriguing D. Not to be overlooked. She could surprise people.
20. Courtney Vorster, D, 2000, Leksands (SDHL)
Defensive defender with plenty of experience. As a depth pick up, there could be value here.
Other defenders to watch:
- Kristen Guerriero, D, 1999, EV Bozen (EWHL)
- Cameron Sikich, D, 2003, Brown (NCAA)
- Kathryn Reilly, D, 2001, DNP
- Chayla Edwards, D, 2001, DNP
- Emma Bergesen, D, 1999, SDE HF (SDHL)
- Madison Laberge, D, 2001, Nipissing (U Sports)
- Lauren Dabrowski, D, 2001, HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SWHL)