Mock PWHL Draft: 15 Rounds

What will the PWHL Draft look like? We take a crack at running down how it will all pan out in a 15 round mock draft.

The PWHL Draft will be a strategic event where teams will want the best player available, but also must fill out a roster.

Here's a round by round look at how teams could approach the draft. In this mock draft, each team will finish with a minimum of one goalie, five defenders, and nine forwards including players already signed. We also attempted to balance veterans with younger talent on each roster.

In our mock draft eight goaltenders, 31 defenders, and 66 forwards. In that group, 35 played in the PHF last season, 24 in the PWHPA, 23 NCAA, two SDHL, two ZHL, one from each of USports, Japan, and Naisten Liiga. One player, Susanna Tapani did not play last season, although she did play professional ringette in Finland winning a World Championship. Of the college players, 11 of the NCAA players had signed in the PHF, as had the lone USports player, along with Tapani, and one SDHL, Naisten Liiga, and player from Japan bringing the total committed to the PHF for next season prior to the acquisition to 51. All 18 free agents signed came from the PWHPA bringing the PWHPA total to 46.

Some general managers could play statistical numbers. For example, Natalie Darwitz in Minnesota can likely stop after choosing nine forwards given the depth of high end NCAA players in the state who declared for the draft. If she were to get a goaltender she feels comfortable with, which we selected as Emma Soderberg, it's likely Darwitz could also hold off on choosing another netminder assuming one of Noora Raty, Amanda Leveille, Maddie Rooney, and Alex Cavallini will still be available. With Aerin Frankel and Ann-Renee Desbiens secured, Boston and Montreal could choose a similar path. However the draft pans out, teams will have significant pools to draw from in order to secure the final five players, plus reserves, they'll need to complete their roster.

Other geographic hotbeds like Montreal and Toronto will also have the option to bring a larger pool of local talent that could easily play in the PWHL to their camps.

Here's The Hockey News' 2023 PWHL Mock Draft:

Round 1

1. Minnesota - Tayler Heise, F, NCAA
2. Toronto - Natalie Spooner, F, PWHPA
3. Boston - Alina Muller, F, NCAA
4. New York - Claire Thompson, D, PWHPA
5. Ottawa - Erin Ambrose, D, PWHPA
6. Montreal - Savannah Harmon, D, PWHPA

Round 2

7. Montreal - Jocelyn Larocque, D, PWHPA
8. Ottawa - Jamie Lee Rattray, F, PWHPA
9. New York - Nicole Hensley, G, PWHPA
10. Boston - Loren Gabel, F, PHF
11. Toronto - Sophie Jacques, D, NCAA
12. Minnesota - Grace Zumwinkle, F, NCAA

Round 3

13. Minnesota - Emma Soderberg, G, PWHPA
14. Toronto - Ella Shelton, D, PWHPA
15. Boston - Chloe Aurard, F, NCAA
16. New York - Kristen O'Neill, F, PWHPA
17. Ottawa - Jamie Bourbonnais, D, PWHPA
18. Montreal - Jessie Eldridge, F, PWHPA

Round 4

19. Montreal - Melodie Daoust, F, PWHPA
20. Ottawa - Emma Maltais, F, NCAA
21. New York- Hayley Scamurra, F, PWHPA
22. Boston - Jesse Compher, F, NCAA
23. Toronto - Kirsten Campbell, G, PWHPA
24. Minnesota - Ashton Bell, D, NCAA

Round 5

25. Minnesota - Hannah Brandt, F, PWHPA
26. Toronto - Elizabeth Giguere, F, PHF
27. Boston - Kali Flanagan, D, PHF
28. New York - Jincy Dunne, D, PWHPA
29. Ottawa - Kennedy Marchment, F, PHF
30. Montreal - Jill Saulnier, F, PWHPA

Round 6

31. Montreal - Ann-Sophie Bettez, F, PHF
32. Ottawa - Gabrielle David, F, NCAA
33. New York - Susanna Tapani, F, PHF
34. Boston - Gabrielle Hughes, F, NCAA
35. Toronto - Victoria Bach, F, PWHPA
36. Minnesota - Noora Raty, G, PHF

Round 7:

37. Minnesota - Jonna Albers, F, PHF
38. Toronto - Mikyla-Grant Mentis, F, PHF
39. Boston - Brittany Howard, F, PHF
40. New York - Taylor Girard, F, PHF
41. Ottawa - Theresa Schafzahl, F, NCAA
42. Montreal - Jade Downie-Landry, F, PHF

Round 8:

43. Montreal - Maude Poulin-Labelle, D, NCAA
44. Ottawa - Dominika Laskova, D, PHF
45. New York - Nicole LaMantia, D, NCAA
46. Boston - Kaleigh Fratkin, D, PHF
47. Toronto - Sophie Shirley, F, NCAA
48. Minnesota - Denisa Krizova, F, PHF

Round 9:

49. Minnesota - Sidney Morin, D, PHF
50. Toronto - Shiann Darkangelo, F, PHF
51. Boston - Jillian Dempsey, F, PHF
52. New York - Aneta Tejralova, D, PHF
53. Ottawa - Lina Ljungblom, F, SDHL
54. Montreal - Rebecca Leslie, F, PWHPA

Round 10:

55. Montreal - Brooke Hobson, D, SDHL
56. Ottawa - Michaela Cava, F, PHF
57. New York - Abbey Levy, G, NCAA
58. Boston - Maureen Murphy, F, NCAA
59. Toronto - Hannah Miller, F, ZHL
60. Minnesota - Allie Thunstrom, F, PHF

Round 11:

61. Minnesota - Patti Marshall, D, PHF
62. Toronto - Kati Tabin, D, PHF
63. Boston - Becca Gilmore, F, PHF
64. New York  - Madison Packer, F, PHF
65. Ottawa - Jessica DiGirolamo, D, PWHPA
66. Montreal - Daryl Watts, F, PHF

Round 12:

67. Montreal - Sandra Abstreiter, G, NCAA
68. Ottawa - Dominique Kremer, D, PHF
69. New York - Lexie Adzija, F, NCAA
70. Boston - Allie Munroe, D, PHF
71. Toronto - Corinne Schroeder, G, PHF
72. Minnesota - Maggie Flaherty, D, NCAA

Round 13:

73. Minnesota - Madison Bizal, D, NCAA
74. Toronto - Emily Brown, D, PWHPA
75. Boston - Tereza Vanisova, F, PHF
76. New York - Minttu Tuominen, D, PHF
77. Ottawa - Akane Shiga, F, Japan
78. Montreal - Audrey-Anne Veillette, F, USports

Round 14:

79. Montreal - Olivia Knowles, D, PHF
80. Ottawa - Maggie Connors, F, NCAA
81. New York - Amanda Pelkey, F, PHF
82. Boston - Zoe Boyd, D, NCAA
83. Toronto - Emma Woods, F, PHF
84. Minnesota - Katerina Mrazova, F, PHF

Round 15

85. Minnesota - Liz Schepers, F, PHF
86. Toronto - Alexa Vasko, F, PWHPA
87. Boston - Caitrin Lonergan, F, PHF
88. New York - Haley Skarupa, F, PWHPA
89. Ottawa - Cami Kronish, G, PWHPA
90. Montreal - Kaitlyn Tougas, F, ZHL

Picks By Team

Minnesota

Free Agent - Kendall Coyne Schofield, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Lee Stecklein, D, PWHPA
Free Agent - Kelly Pannek, F, PWHPA
1. Minnesota - Tayler Heise, F, NCAA
12. Minnesota - Grace Zumwinkle, F, NCAA
13. Minnesota - Emma Soderberg, G, PWHPA
24. Minnesota - Ashton Bell, D, NCAA
25. Minnesota - Hannah Brandt, F, PWHPA
36. Minnesota - Noora Raty, G, PHF
37. Minnesota - Jonna Albers, F, PHF
48. Minnesota - Denisa Krizova, F, PHF
49. Minnesota - Sidney Morin, D, PHF
60. Minnesota - Allie Thunstrom, F, PHF
61. Minnesota - Patti Marshall, D, PHF
72. Minnesota - Maggie Flaherty, D, NCAA
73. Minnesota - Madison Bizal, D, NCAA
84. Minnesota - Katerina Mrazova, F, PHF
85. Minnesota - Liz Schepers, F, PHF

Toronto

Free Agent - Sarah Nurse, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Renata Fast, D, PWHPA
Free Agent - Blayre Turnbull, F, PWHPA
2. Toronto - Natalie Spooner, F, PWHPA
11. Toronto - Sophie Jacques, D, NCAA
14. Toronto - Ella Shelton, D, PWHPA
23. Toronto - Kirsten Campbell, G, PWHPA
26. Toronto - Elizabeth Giguere, F, PHF
35. Toronto - Victoria Bach, F, PWHPA
38. Toronto - Mikyla-Grant Mentis, F, PHF
47. Toronto - Sophie Shirley, F, NCAA
50. Toronto - Shiann Darkangelo, F, PHF
59. Toronto - Hannah Miller, F, ZHL
62. Toronto - Kati Tabin, D, PHF
71. Toronto - Corrine Schroeder, G, PHF
74. Toronto - Emily Brown, D, PWHPA
86. Toronto - Emma Woods, F, PHF

Boston

Free Agent - Hilary Knight, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Megan Keller, D, PWHPA
Free Agent - Aerin Frankel, G, PWHPA
3. Boston - Alina Muller, F, NCAA
10. Boston - Loren Gabel, F, PHF
15. Boston - Chloe Aurard, F, NCAA
22. Boston - Jesse Compher, F, NCAA
27. Boston - Kali Flanagan, D, PHF
34. Boston - Gabrielle Hughes, F, NCAA
39. Boston - Brittany Howard, F, PHF
46. Boston - Kaleigh Fratkin, D, PHF
51. Boston - Jillian Dempsey, F, PHF
58. Boston - Maureen Murphy, F, NCAA
63. Boston - Becca Gilmore, F, PHF
70. Boston - Allie Munroe, D, PHF
75. Boston - Tereza Vanisova, F, PHF
82. Boston - Zoe Boyd, D, NCAA
87. Boston - Caitrin Lonergan, F, PHF

New York

Free Agent - Alex Carpenter, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Abby Roque, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Micah Zandee-Hart, PWHPA
4. New York - Claire Thompson, D, PWHPA
9. New York - Nicole Hensley, G, PWHPA
16. New York - Kristen O'Neill, F, PWHPA
21. New York- Hayley Scamurra, F, PWHPA
28. New York - Jincy Dunne, D, PWHPA
33. New York - Susanna Tapani, F, PHF
40. New York - Taylor Girard, F, PHF
45. New York - Nicole LaMantia, D, NCAA
52. New York - Aneta Tejralova, D, PHF
57. New York - Abbey Levy, G, NCAA
64. New York - Madison Packer, F, PHF
69. New York - Lexie Adzija, F, NCAA
76. New York - Minttu Tuominen, D, PHF
81. New York - Amanda Pelkey, F, PHF
88. New York - Haley Skarupa, F, PWHPA

Ottawa

Free Agent - Brianne Jenner, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Emily Clark, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Emerance Maschmeyer, G, PWHPA
5. Ottawa - Erin Ambrose, D, PWHPA
8. Ottawa - Jamie Lee Rattray, F, PWHPA
17. Ottawa - Jamie Bourbonnais, D, PWHPA
20. Ottawa - Emma Maltais, F, NCAA
29. Ottawa - Kennedy Marchment, F, PHF
32. Ottawa - Gabrielle David, F, NCAA
41. Ottawa - Theresa Schafzahl, F, NCAA
44. Ottawa - Dominika Laskova, D, PHF
53. Ottawa - Lina Ljungblom, F, SDHL
56. Ottawa - Michaela Cava, F, PHF
65. Ottawa - Jessica DiGirolamo, D, PWHPA
68. Ottawa - Dominique Kremer, D, PHF
77. Ottawa - Akane Shiga, F, Japan
80. Ottawa - Maggie Connors, F, NCAA
89. Ottawa - Cami Kronish, G, PWHPA

Montreal

Free Agent - Marie-Philip Poulin, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Laura Stacey, F, PWHPA
Free Agent - Ann-Renee Desbiens, G, PWHPA
6. Montreal - Savannah Harmon, D, PWHPA
7. Montreal - Jocelyn Larocque, D, PWHPA
18. Montreal - Jessie Eldridge, F, PWHPA
19. Montreal - Melodie Daoust, F, PWHPA
30. Montreal - Jill Saulnier, F, PWHPA
31. Montreal - Ann-Sophie Bettez, F, PHF
42. Montreal - Jade Downie-Landry, F, PHF
43. Montreal - Maude Poulin-Labelle, D, NCAA
54. Montreal - Rebecca Leslie, F, PWHPA
55. Montreal - Brooke Hobson, D, SDHL
66. Montreal - Daryl Watts, F, PHF
67. Montreal - Sandra Abstreiter, G, NCAA
78. Montreal - Audrey-Anne Veillette, F, USports
79. Montreal - Olivia Knowles, D, PHF
90. Montreal - Kaitlyn Tougas, F, ZHL

Players Who Will Draw Free Agency/Tryout Interest

Forwards: Sydney Brodt, Kristin Della Rovere, Saroya Tinker, Claire Dalton, Kelly Babstock, Catie Skaja, Abigail Boreen, Oliva Zafuto, Amanda Leveille, Maddie Rooney, Paeyton Levis, Rosalie Demers, Sarah Bujold, Tori Horwan, Gigi Marvin, Natalie Snodgrass, Alena Mills, Clair DeGeorge, Leah Lum, Alexandra Labelle, Sarah Lefort, Kayla Vespa, Nicole Kosta, Emma Keenan, Lilane Perreault, Alex Poznikoff, Catherine Daoust, Elaine Chuli, Alex Cavallini, Lauriane Rougeau, Aoi Shiga, Hanna Bunton, Alexa Gruschow, Jess Jones, Fanni Gasparics, Sammy Davis, McKenna Brand, Justine Reyes, Samantha Isbell, Samantha Cogan, Malia Schneider, Grace Graham, Summer-Rae Dobson, Bailey Larson, Emma Buckles, Claire Butorac, Taylor Woods, Mariah Keopple, Kendall Cornine, Savannah Norcross, Caroline Peterson, Savine Wielenga Amanda Boulier.