PWHL Draft: Prospects To Watch At the Women's World Championships

While all eyes will be on the World Championships this year as team's compete for international glory, all eyes from the PWHL will be on the tournament for another reason: 2024 PWHL Draft prospects.

The tournament will feature many of the world's top players, and for PWHL scouts, coaches, and general managers, it will also provide an opportunity for staffs to see European prospects in person for perhaps the first time.

Here's a look at the top draft prospects from each nation.

There’s a one-two punch of potential first round picks for Canada in Sarah Fillier and Danielle Serdachny. Both Patty Kazmaier finalists this year, the duo will make an instantaneous difference on whatever roster selects them this year. Fillier has an elite release and can play a top line centre role in the PWHL. She’s also capable of sliding to the wing. Serdachny uses her frame well and is equally adept as a finisher and playmaker. She’s been under-utilized by Canada to date, which will likely change this year. If Julia Gosling or Nicole Gosling chose to declare early, both would be early round impact players, but for not, it’s all about Fillier and Serdachny.

Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes headline this group, but they’re not the only names to watch. Bilka can kill and thrill with her speed and skills from the wing. She’s an electrifying talent who can break games, but at times is also a quiet producer. Either way, she’ll be a top line talent in the PWHL next season. Barnes is one of the few blueliners out there who will slide onto a top pairing and play major minutes in the PWHL year one. She’s physical, a good puck mover, and isn’t afraid to jump into the play, but is also highly capable of handling tough matchups defensively. Truly, after Barnes' NCAA tournament, it would not be surprising to see a team jump at her before Bilka or Fillier. Britta Curl is a spark plug player who seems to be magnetic with the puck. Long term she’s a middle six forward who will take some heat off a top line and wear down her opponent. Gwyneth Philips cracked USA's roster as their likely third string netminder, but the NCAA First Team All-American and former NCAA Goaltender of the Year will be a sought after goalie for any team looking to bolster their crease. In terms of future stars, whether it's Abbey Murphy, Caroline Harvey, Tessa Janecke, Laila Edwards, Joy Dunne, Sydney Morrow, or Kirsten Simms, there's a lot to watch and like about USA's roster. 

Noora Tulus and Ronja Savolainen aren't typical "draft" eligible players. Both are veterans who can make an immediate impact in the PWHL, and may have been in the league this season already were it not for the late launch of the league that left contracted players in other leagues on the outs. Savolainen is a big and mean defender who can join the offense, while Tulus is one of the best skaters in the world who can break games open with her speed and scoring skills. Jenniina Nylund is also expected to declare and should find a roster spot in the league. While she won't represent Finland, for what sounds like a visa issue due to recent travel that is keeping her out of the USA, Sini Karjalainen will have that resolved in time to join a PWHL team next year. Viivi Vainikka still has another year on her contract in Sweden, but is likely to come to North America after that season, and Elisa Holopainen has interest in the PWHL as well, but may stay in Europe until following the 2026 Olympics. 

The other key nation with players who should be watched in the PWHL Draft is Sweden. Maja Nylen Persson's draft status is currently unknown, but should she enter, she'll be a top half of the draft pick, with potential to slide into the first two rounds. Blueliner Anna Kjellbin is expected to declare as well, and the tournament will also give fans an early look at PWHL Montreal draft pick Lina Ljungblom. Similarly, more Swedish players have been heading to the NCAA and players like Paula Bergstrom, Ida Karlsson, Hilda Svensson, Thea Johansson, Josefin Bouveng, and Mira Jungaker will all be watched by PWHL scouts. Linnea Andersson is another player who could potentially throw her name into the draft. 

Perhaps no nation is going to add more international talent to the PWHL in the coming seasons than Czechia, who already has the third most representation in the league beyond Canada and USA. Ready to declare for the PWHL Draft this coming season are national team members Daniela Pejsova, Klara Peslarova, Noemi Neubauerova, and Klara Hymlarova. It's a strong foursome who will bring diverse skill sets to the league. Peslarova is the best pro goalie in the world outside the PWHL, while Pejsova will be a sought after defender for her youth and talent. Neubauerova and Hymlarova are going to be key additions to the bottom six of teams this year. While she has not stated her intent either way, it's believed Michaela Pejzlova will stay overseas as she's been studying in Helsinki. Sara Cajanova is another blueliner who could draw attention from PWHL teams if she chooses to declare.

Most of the players from other countries who could draw attention, like Switzerland's Lara Stalder, Lara Christen, and Andrea Brandli, and Japan's Haruka Toko are already under contract to remain in Europe next season. Conceivably some of Germany's top players could declare for the draft, like defenders Daria Gleißner and Carina Strobel or forward Franziska Feldmeier, but it's not likely they'd be selected.