PWHL Draft Profile: Elle Hartje

Yale captain Elle Hartje combines a 200-foot game with exceptional on ice vision, making her one of the top prospects for the 2024 PWHL Draft.

Elle Hartje is a player that many teams in the PWHL will covet, not only for her offensive capabilities, but for her commitment to all three zones, and character.

"I would really point to my 200-foot game with an emphasis on the D-zone, which might be a surprise to some people who haven't seen me play," Hartje said. "I really believe that the defense is the start to a great offense, and so as a center, that starts in the face off circle. I take a lot of pride in my face off and that was something we focused on in my time here at Yale."

This season, the lack of 200-foot players was a downfall for many teams in the league, but Hartje will be part of the solution for someone. 

This year she broke Yale's all-time scoring record, a mark that had stood for 36 years, finishing her career at the school with 168 points in 129 games. She also took a year off in the middle during COVID where she played in Slovakia. Following that off season, Hartje felt she came back bigger, stronger, faster, and more confident, and it translated to immediate success.

While she can certainly score, Hartje's offensive instincts are most evident in her vision and IQ as a playmaker. She elevates the game of those around her and was one of the best players in the face off dot over her NCAA career.

Hartje is expected to be a Top 20 pick in this year's PWHL Draft.