When we hear about entry drafts in hockey, it's typically a story of 18- and 19-year-old men in the NHL, and 21-24 year-old women in the PWHL.
Unlike the NHL Draft however, to enter the PWHL, all players, no matter their age or experience, must declare for the entry draft to be eligible. It may be a rule the league re-evaluates in the future, but for now, to play in the PWHL, you must enter the draft.
This year, the most notable veteran looking to enter the league is 35-year-old Michelle Karvinen. Karvinen is destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame and has one thing left to achieve in her career, which is to play in the PWHL. She's not alone among international veterans declaring for the draft including Anna Shokhina (27), Fanuza Kadirova (27), Alexandra Huszak (29), Sara Hjalmarsson (27) and others.
While European veterans were expected to begin declaring this season, they aren't the only veterans targeting the PWHL this season. There's also a group of North American veterans, some who have been playing abroad, and some who have been out of the game for years, are looking to make a comeback to the game, or a comeback to North America.
Here's a look at some of those notable players:
Kimberly Newell - Goaltender - If there's a goalie coming out of the woodwork that actually deserves a look, it's Kimberly Newell. She last played at the 2022 Olympics representing China. Newell won gold with Canada's U-18 national team and was named a tournament All-Star in 2013, a team that included the likes of Emily Clark, Sarah Nurse, and Hannah Miller. After that, Newell spent four seasons at Princeton posting a career .921 save percentage in 111 games. After the NCAA, she played four seasons with the KRS Vanke Rays in the CWHL and Russian league. It's believed she'll be targeting a tryout with Vancouver where she could make a logical depth option as a third, or even fourth goaltender to watch. She's still only 29.
Rachel Llanes - Forward - After four seasons at Northeastern, Llanes played two years with the CWHL's Boston Blades and two years with the NWHL's Boston Pride from 2013 to 2017. Following that Llanes played two more seasons in the CWHL with Kunlan Red Star and the KRS Vanke Rays. She won the Clarkson Cup and Isobel Cup in her pro years putting up decent numbers. Llanes followed the Vanke Rays back to the Russian league for four two more seasons and eventually represented China at two World Championships, most recently in 2023, as well as the 2022 Olympics. She's certainly in shape as Llanes has served as the strength and conditioning coach for the AHL's San Jose Barracudas the past three seasons. Llanes is 34.
Allie Thunstrom - Forward - Allie Thunstrom is a player who should have been in the PWHL's inaugural player pool. She was fast, skilled, and one of the PHF/NWHL's all-time leaders. Two seasons later, the now 37-year-old is looking at a comeback. Following four years at Boston College, Thunstrom spent seven seasons playing for the historic Minnesota Whitecaps. She was with the team while they were considered independent, and through their time in the NWHL where she won an Isobel Cup. The former Minnesota Ms. Hockey twice led the NWHL/PHF in goals, was the 2020 league MVP and two-time Foundation Award winner.
Kayla Tutino - Forward - The former Boston University standout spent three seasons in the CWHL with the Boston Blades and Montreal Canadiennes following her NCAA career. She then stepped away from competitive hockey for five years before returning this season to play with Neumarkt/Egna in Italy. She also joined Italy's national team at the World Championships helping them earn promotion. Tutino is 32.
Jacquie Pierri - Defender - Born in New Jersey, Pierri played for Brown in the NCAA and then spent five seasons in the CWHL with the Calgary Inferno, including winning a Clarkson Cup. In 2019, Pierri went to Europe playing two campaigns in the SDHL before moving to Italy where she's played the last four seasons with EV Bozen Eagles. Pierri is 34.
Whitney Dove - Defender - Another player who likely declared due to expansion in British Columbia, Dove spent four seasons at Providence College before three seasons of pro. Two of those years were spent with the PHF's Buffalo Beauts, while the other Dove went to the EWHL to play with KMH Budapest. She is 27.
Mariah Fujimagari - Goaltender - After serving as a back up for four seasons in the NCAA with Maine, Fujimagari spent several seasons bouncing between pro leagues including a year in the EWHL with Bratislava, one season in the SDHL with AIK, one in the CWHL with the Worcester Blades, and three years with the NWHL/PHF. Her last season full campaign was 2022-2023 when she played 14 games in Sweden.
Sonjia Shelly - Goaltender - Has not suited up since a six game stint with the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters in 2021-2022. Shelly appeared in 22 professional games over three seasons split between the Riveters and Connecticut Whale. Prior to pro, she was a backup at St. Lawrence University. Since leaving the ice, Shelly has served as an assistant coach with Long Island University women's team including this past season.