The PWHL Draft will feature players eligible from 19 nations, is dominated by NCAA, U Sports, and SDHL players, and has teenagers and players in their 40s. Here's a look at the PWHL's Draft Eligibility by the numbers.
The PWHL Draft will feature players eligible from 19 nations, is dominated by NCAA, U Sports, and SDHL players, and has teenagers and players in their 40s. Here's a look at the PWHL's Draft Eligibility by the numbers.
The PWHL’s official draft declaration list includes a total of 167 names, only 42 of whom will actually be drafted. Here is a breakdown of the eligible players by the numbers:
Forwards are the most plentiful position: 93 forwards are on the list, then 48 defenders and 27 goaltenders. Goalies will have a tough time, as there are only six teams and not many available slots.
By nationality, the list is dominated by Canadians (82), and also four who hold dual citizenship including Canadian, and one Indigenous Canadian - Kayla Maracle from the University of PEI.
Americans are next with 46 players, including one Native Hawaiian. After that, six are from Czechia and another six are Finnish. Swedish players are next with five, followed by the Netherlands with three players. Hungary, France, and Norway are the homes of two players each, while Denmark, Germany, Japan, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Slovakia all have one representative.
The NCAA was the latest league home for 61 players on the list. They will no doubt make up the largest group drafted as well. Canada’s U Sports programs are contributing 35, bringing together a total of 96 from collegiate hockey last season, followed closely by Sweden’s SDHL, where 31 players competed last season.
The SWHL “A” league has six players on the list, and four players last played in the PHF. Shannon MacAulay, a Clarkson University alumnus, last played for the Brampton Thunder in the CWHL in 2017. In addition, 42 players have IIHF senior national team experience from 19 countries.
The oldest player on the declaration list is Canadian forward Shannon Briggs, who is 40, followed by Shelley Payne, an American goalie who is 37. Other notables are Finnish netminder Meeri Raisanen, 34 and Czech forward Alena Mills, who will turn 34 on June 9, one day before the draft.
The youngest player is French goaltender Violette Pianel Couriaut, who just turned 18 on May 9. Dutch goalie Djarna Mans is also 18, as is Canadian U Sports forward Brooke Henderson who will turn 19 on June 17.
The longest name on the list? That honor goes to American Taylor Mousigian-Costella, whose name has 25 characters. Sarah-Eve Coutu-Godbout, a Canadian who played in the SDHL has 24 letters, as does Violette Pianel Couriaut from the French U-20 program. Just in case you’re trying to fit those on the back of a jersey.
Finally, the breakdown of handedness goes to the left shooters: 76 players shoot left, while 62 shoot right. Of the goalies, only three out of the 25 catch right.