With NCAA seasons and the SDHL year wrapping up, players are continuing to declare for the PWHL draft. The Hockey News counts down the top 60 prospects for the 2024 PWHL Draft.

The PWHL announced their draft format for the upcoming 2024 Draft. The seven round, 42 player draft will take place in June, and will move to a traditional draft format where the draft order repeats each round, moving away form the snake format used for the inaugural draft.

Last month The Hockey News narrowed our draft list to 36, and now, we've expanded up to 60. The list has become far more fluid, and will continue to as players declare for the draft, or re-sign with European teams. We removed players from Europe who have yet to state their intent to declare and placed them in a players to watch. 

The other exciting aspect of this draft is the "Gold Plan," that will see the PWHL's two non-playoff teams compete to select first overall, in first in each of the seven rounds.

Here's a look at The Hockey News' Top 60 prospects for the 2024 PWHL Draft with graphics provided by PWHL Report.

1. Sarah Fillier, C, Princeton, NCAA (2000, Canada)
Getting a player who can center your first line for the next decade is a pretty tempting option. Fillier has a wicked shot and has thrived internationally. Her game should transfer well to the PWHL, and there's simply no team she wouldn't make better, instantly. 

2. Hannah Bilka, LW, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, USA)
So skilled. Bilka is a smooth skater with soft hands that she used to deceive her opponents and open shooting and passing lanes. Bilka is another top line addition, and if a team feels good down the middle, Bilka could go first overall. She brings a different skill set, but similar impact to Fillier. 

3. Cayla Barnes, D, Ohio State, NCAA (1999, USA)
Barnes is hard to play against. She's logged big minutes for USA and Ohio State, and can immediately join a top pairing in the PWHL. Teams will be lining up for the services of a an elite puck moving defender who can shut down opponents, and also join the rush. 

4. Danielle Serdachny, C, Colgate (2001, Canada)
Expect Serdachny to thrive in the PWHL. She put up big numbers across her NCAA career, but also showed she can do it internationally using her frame to shield pucks, and being unafraid to get to the tough areas on the ice to win battles. She can score highlight reel goals, but Serdachny is just as adept at tipping or banging home rebounds out front.

5. Noora Tulus, F, Lulea, SDHL (1995, Finland)
If you give Tulus time or space in the offensive zone, she's one of the more dangerous players on the planet. A top line player for Finland, Tulus has good hands and separation speed. She can maneuver in tight spaces, and has game breaking abilities. She also comes as a physically mature player who can handle the physicality of the league.

6. Ronja Savolainen, D, Lulea, SDHL (1997, Finland)
Savolainen, 26, is an all situations blueliner who uses her 5-foot-10 frame effectively. She's played a major role for Finland internationally and should be able to slide into a top four role and thrive in the league.

7. Daniela Pejsova, D, Lulea, SDHL (2002, Czechia)
A smooth skater and good puck mover, Pejsova is still only 21, meaning she'd immediately become one of the youngest players in the PWHL. She intends to be in the league next year, and will be a boost to any blueline. Internationally with Czechia and in the SDHL, Pejsova has emerged as one of the top blueliners out there. 

8. Britta Curl, LW, Wisconsin, NCAA (2000, USA)
There are a few considerations here. First, Curl has shown repeated and open support for anti-Trans rhetoric online. It will certainly be a concern for the league and any team that selects her as it risks ostracizing a portion of the league's growing fan base, and shifting the league's diversity and inclusion efforts in the wrong direction. On the ice, she drives play, and has proven she can contribute and push momentum. 

9. Allyson Simpson, RD, Colgate, NCAA (2000, USA)
A solid two-way defender, Simpson will fly under the radar on the ice at times, but gets the job done. The PWHL has a shortage of defenders who can play at a high level at both ends of the ice, and Simpson has that mix mastered. 

10. Izzy Daniel, RW, Cornell, NCAA (2001, USA)
A Patty Kazmaier favorite, Daniel is scoring at will in the NCAA, but hasn't received any love from USA Hockey in her career. Great puck skills and slippery under pressure, Daniel sees the ice well. In fact sometimes when she's playmaking she looks like she's got eyes in the back of her head.

11. Anna Meixner, F, Brynas, SDHL (1994, Austria)
Great speed, shifty with the puck, and a reputation as a top player in Europe, including being named the SDHL's MVP last season. Meixner battled injuries this year, but should be a player teams needing an infusion of offense look to.

12. Sini Karjalainen, D, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Finland)
Karjalainen's offense dropped off this year from her NCAA career, but she's still one of the best puck moving blueliners, who brings good size, outside North America. Karjalainen has played important minutes in Brynas this year, which for a defender is always important to development. She should fit well in a 4-5 role next season in the league, and has expressed interest in exploring this route.

13. Megan Carter, D, Northeastern, NCAA (2001, Canada)
Carter has been the backbone of Northeastern, and following the loss of their front line talent to the PWHL this season, if not for Carter, things could be a lot worse for the Huskies. She's a steady defender who isn't going to score many, but more importantly, she's not going to cost her team anything as she defends the rush well and has strong d-zone positioning.

14. Elle Hartje, F, Yale, NCAA (2001, USA)
An intelligent forward who's good in the face-off circle, Hartje is a bit of a sleeper in terms of hype as she's not a regular in discussion for Team USA, but perhaps she should be. Hartje plays a smart two-way game, distributes pucks well, and sees lanes. She's been the driver of a Yale program that's been strong in recent seasons and is the type of player who could flourish professionally.

15. Jennifer Gardiner, LW, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, Canada)
One thing that has set Gardiner apart in the first half of this season is her ability to step up in big games. Facing top teams, Gardiner is at her best using her game breaking abilities.

16. Klara Peslarova, G, Brynas, SDHL (1996, Czechia)
A lot of teams will be taking a long look at their crease as the best goaltender in the world outside the PWHL has made it clear she wants to play in North America. In 2022, Peslarova was named a tournament All-Star at the World Championships...and Olympics...and was the SDHL goalie of the year. She's Czechia's starter, a former Best Goaltender at the U-18 World Championships, and the list could go on and on. Aside 3-4 goalies in the league, no one's job is safe. There's a legitimate chance she goes higher if a team wants a 1A / 1B situation.

17. Mae Batherson, RD, St. Lawrence, NCAA (2000, Canada)
One of the top defenders available in this draft, Batherson could go much higher. A First Team CHA member last season, Batherson hasn't received a lot of attention from Canada, but that could change once she arrives in the PWHL.

18. Anna Wilgren, LD, Wisconsin, NCAA (1999, USA)
Wilgren is a good decision maker on the ice and has bobbed in and out of USA's national program. Healthy again after playing only 19 games over the last three years, Wilgren is on an upward arc. A full season and a strong performance at the Rivalry Series will do wonders for her draft stock, because there's still risk with her selection until she proves she can withstand the grind.

19. Gwyneth Philips, G, Northeastern, NCAA (2000, USA)
The reigning NCAA Goaltender of the Year, and a finalist again this year, what Philips lacks in size she makes up for with quickness and working her angles. With Peslarova and Braendli choosing to stay in Europe, options for an upgrade in net are limited, and Philips is the best of the bunch. Expect Toronto to take a run at Philips.

20. Stephanie Markowski, LD, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, Canada)
Markowski knows when to pick her spots to jump into the offense, but never at the expense of her own zone. She gets pucks through traffic, and is a solid distributor. Perhaps one of the more underlooked blueliners in Canada's national system.

21. Klara Hymlarova, F, St. Cloud State, NCAA (1999, Czechia)
Hymlarova brings the traits many who have played under Carla MacLeod for Team Czechia bring: solid two-way contributions, responsible in her own zone, and a high compete level. She's a bottom or middle six player to start, but has upside and can be an upgrade for teams.

22. Sydney Bard, RD, Colgate, NCAA (2001, USA)
An excellent puck mover, Bard is an undersized defender who moves the puck well and has been one of the best defenders in the ECAC for years. She should challenge for playing time on a bottom pairing immediately with potential to work her way up.

23. Madeline Wethington, D, Minnesota, NCAA (2000, USA)
Wethington has put in five solid years at Minnesota, and it would not be surprising to see Natalie Darwitz take a look at keeping her in the State of Hockey. She won three U-18 World Championship gold medals for USA, and contributes at both ends for the Golden Gophers.

24. Jenniina Nylund, F, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Finland)
Nylund could be playing in the PWHL right now. Nylund has been one of the more consistent scorers of the last year from the NCAA, to the World Championships, and now more than a point per game in the SDHL. She's turning into one of Finland's better contributors internationally, and should draw interest to bolster a middle or bottom six in the league.

25. Rylind MacKinnon, D, British Columbia, USports (2000, Canada)
Sleeping on MacKinnon as a USports athlete would be a mistake. In fact, if teams have watched her enough, she could jump ten spots forward on this list. MacKinnon is big, and uses her reach and range effectively. She's also a good skater for her size and can produce offensively. At Canada's Fall Selection camp, MacKinnon did not look out of place, and at times outperformed some of Canada's more highly touted prospects. The "steal" potential in MacKinnon is huge.

26. Dominique Petrie, C, Clarkson, NCAA (2001, USA)
Petrie is a slick forward who put together four solid NCAA seasons between Harvard and Clarkson. She's also one of the rare North American players who represented USA at three U-18 World Championships winning a pair of gold and a silver. 

27. Hadley Hartmetz, RD, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, USA)
There's no shortage of need for defenders in the PWHL, and Hartmetz is a solid two-way performer who has played hard minutes on a weaker Boston College, followed by time marinating alongside top talent at Ohio State.

28. Kathryn Reilly, D, Quinnipiac, NCAA (2001, Canada)
After four solid seasons with Quinnipiac, Reilly exploded this season to lead all NCAA defenders in scoring. It's hard to ignore, and Reilly isn't a one trick player, she can also compete on the other side of the puck. The offensive upside alone will earn her a look.

29. Noemi Neubauerova, F, Brynas, SDHL (1999, Czechia)
No one should expect Neubauerova to walk in and light up the PWHL next year, but she's got good hands, competes hard, and would be a welcomed addition to a bottom six who can still provide secondary scoring, and will provide depth punch that will continue to drive momentum. 

30. Anneke Linser, F, Djurgardens, SDHL (1999, USA)
Linser could have made a PWHL team this season as a bottom line or reserve player like others in her situation did. Instead, she chose to go to Sweden and has played top line minutes all season, contributing in all situations as Djurgarden's best player. She's set herself up to not just squeak onto a bottom line, but challenge for middle six minutes next year from day one.

31. Emmy Fecteau, C, Concordia, USports (1999, Canada)
Let's let Caroline Ouellette, Fecteau's coach at Concordia describe her - "Of all the girls I've played with, played against, and coached, she's the girl with the most guts I know. She’s a leader who leads with so much passion...She's a real warrior, she's going to block shots, she can play both defensively and offensively, she's as much a scorer as she is a passer." 

32. Mannon McMahon, C, Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA (2001, USA) 
One of the best in he face-off circle this season in the NCAA, McMahon will be an upgrade to any team's bottom six, but will have the potential to develop into middle six forward. McMahon is the type of addition that top teams will look at to bolster their roster.

33. Maggie MacEachern, D, Penn State, NCAA (2001, Canada)
MacEachern will be in the PWHL whether it's as a draft pick or as a free agent. She oozes leadership having worn the captains "C" for Canada's U-18 team and Colgate in the NCAA. This season after transferring to Penn State, MacEachern showed a boost in her offensive output, which is promising, but unlike many D in the league right now, she's also a talented player on the defensive side of the puck. It would not be surprising to see her go 10 picks higher if a team likes her enough.

34. Lauren Bernard, D, Ohio State (2001, USA)
Bernard will be a solid upgrade to a team's bottom pairing with upside to continue her development beyond that point. Teams will be scooping up blueliners and working to develop them internally, and Bernard has been one of the most consistent across her time in the NCAA.

35. Alexie Guay, D, Clarkson, NCAA (2001, Canada)
A two-time U-18 World Championship All-Star, and tournament Best Defender in 2019, many thought Guay might be playing for Canada's senior national team by now. It hasn't happened, but the dynamic skill set that existed then, is still present now. She might require some seasoning, but Clarkson is known for producing elite blueliners, and Guay fits that mold.

36. Emma Bergesen, D, Mount Royal, USports (1999, Norway)
A good skater who can jump into the play, Bergesen is one of the best defenders in Canada, and she's also been the staple for Team Norway. Last year she was an All-Canadian, and also named the Top Defender at the 2022 World Championship D1A tournament.

37. Michelle Lowenhielm, C, SDE, SDHL (1995, Sweden)
According to our eyes in Sweden, Lowenhielm should be considered a sleeper, particularly as a player who can adapt to play bottom six minutes. A good shooter and strong on the dot, Lowenhielm is a smart player with a high compete level. And yes, the former Swedish national team captain has declared for the draft.

38. Dara Greig, LW, Colgate, NCAA (2000, Canada)
Greig is a feisty forward with offensive upside who should be able to provide some grit and gumption in a bottom six. It wouldn't be surprising to see Greig creep up a round or two. While she can play a checking role, she's got great touch as well.

39. Anna Kjellbin, D, Lulea, SDHL (1994, Sweden)
A Swedish All-Star last season and member of Sweden's national team, Kjellbin is a stalwart in Sweden's top four internationally. She'll be playing weaker competition in Group B at the Worlds in Utica, but since she's already declared for the draft, there will be a long lineup of GMs taking a closer look at the 30-year-old. One of at least four key members of Lulea to declare for the draft, Kjellbin, who was an assistant captain with the team this season. Speed is a slight concern, but she could help a third pairing in the league.

40. Kayleigh Hamers, D, SDE, SDHL (1997, Netherlands)
A strong skater and intelligent defender, Hamers will certainly be flying a bit under the radar coming from SDE and the Netherlands. She's the Netherlands' best player, being named best defender at both the Division 1B and Division 1A World Championships. She could turn into one of the surprise steals of the draft.

41. Sadie Peart, C, Quinnpiac, NCAA (2000, USA)
One of the better pivots in the NCAA, Peart is solid in the face-off dot. She has put up consistent, but not eye popping numbers. Still, there's a lot to like about her game.

42. Shae Demale,, F, SDE, SDHL (2000, Canada)
Demale has a cannon of a shot and is leading SDE in scoring. To call her a surprise would be false, but players coming from USports continue to be undervalued in women's hockey despite the success we're seeing from these players in the PWHL and abroad. An All-Canadian last season, Demale has transitioned well to Sweden and could be a welcomed under the radar signing for a team.

43. Maggy Burbidge, F, St. FX, USports (2001, Canada)

44. Charlotte Akervik, D, Minnesota State, NCAA (2001, USA)

45. Ida Kuoppala, F, Maine, NCAA (2000, Finland)

46. Peyton Anderson, F, Northeastern, NCAA (2001, USA)

47. Mathea Fischer, C, SDE, SDHL (1997, Norway)

48. Darcie Lappan, F, Clarkson, NCAA (2001, Canada)

49. Kaitlyn O'Donohoe, RW, Colgate, NCAA (2001, USA)

50. Lauren DeBlois, D, Providence, NCAA, (2000, USA)

51. Brooke McQuigge, F, Clarkson, NCAA (2000, Canada)

52. Camryn Wong, D, Connecticut, NCAA (2000, China)

53. Raygan Kirk, G, Ohio State, NCAA (2001, Canada)

54. Kelsey King, F, Ohio State, NCAA (2000, USA)

55. Ena Nystrøm, G, Mercyhurst, NCAA (2000, Norway)

56. Logan Angers, G, Quinnipiac, NCAA (2000, Canada)

57. Lauren Dabrowski, D, SDE, SDHL (2001, Canada)

58. Nadia Mattivi, D, Boston University, NCAA (2000, Italy)

59. Kendra Woodland, G, New Brunswick, USports (2000, Canada)

60. Kelly Ann-Nadeau, D, Montreal, USports (1998, Canada)

Players To Watch

While not every player above has already declared, it's expected they will. International stars like defender Maja Nylén Persson (Brynas, SDHL, 2000, Sweden), and forwards Michaela Pejzlova (HIFK, Naisten Liiga, 1997, Czechia) and Elisa Holopainen (KalPa, Naisten Liiga, 2001, Finland) could be top 20 picks in the draft, but there's no guarantee they are coming to the league...yet. Other players competing in Europe who may declare include Hanna Thuvik, (Brynas, SDHL, 2002, Sweden), Julia Liikala, (HIFK, Naisten Liiga, 2001, Finland), Sara Cajanova (Brynas, SDHL, 2002, Czechia), Emilia Vesa (Frolunda, SDHL, 2001, Finland), Jaycee Magwood (Lulea, SDHL, 1997, Canada), Stephanie Neatby (Frolunda, SDHL, 1998, Canada), Justine Reyes (Linkoping, SDHL (1997, USA), 57. Shay Maloney (Leksands, SDHL, 1999, USA), and Anna Shokhina, (Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg, ZHL, 1997, Russia)