The 2026 PWHL Draft will be transformational for the PWHL. The incoming talent pool from the NCAA includes a group of generational players who will all make an immediate impact in the league. It's part of the reason the league continues to push forward with rapid expansion as this draft will help restock the league's talent pool.

Sticking with the believe the PWHL will do a six round draft, we're targeting the top 72 prospects for this ranking followed by a watch list. In each subsequent ranking, THN will increase the total number of players ranked by 12 until our top 100 final draft rankings are unveiled. There are a number of players still ranked whose draft status is unknown.

From Europe, some players like Lara Stalder, Rahel Enzler, Sanni Rantala, Elisa Holopainen, and Emilia Vesa have all re-signed for next season overseas, ending the conversation surrounding their PWHL status. Others, like Finland's Petra Nieminen are expected to join, while a third group, which includes players like Finnish legend Jenni Hiirikoski remain undecided, or have yet to share their plans.

RELATED: November Rankings - 2026 PWHL Draft

Here's a look at The Hockey News' midterm Top 72 for the 2026 PWHL Draft.

Incredibly mobile, plays with an edge, controls the pace of play whenever she's on the ice, and can impact the game offensively whenever she chooses. Harvey will immediately be in the conversation for PWHL Defender of the Year, and may already be the best defender in the world. She's a top pairing defender ready to make her mark.

Separation speed, an elite shot, and a temperament that drives opponents up the wall, Murphy will be one of the top offensive threats in the PWHL from day one. She's a top offensive threat for Team USA, and she will not only draw penalties, but put opposing teams off their game. Finding a way to harness her energy at the pros and play within the lines will be key, but she's got an abundance of skill. She's done just that more consistently with USA and it has made her a more effective player.

Will she be a forward or a defender in the PWHL? It depends who you ask. With a 6-foot-1 frame, vision, and a shot that will leave PWHL goaltenders saying silent prayers, Edwards is a unique prospect. Off the ice, she's one of the most respected people in the game, and will immediately make the team that selects her better whether she's a power forward or an imposing defender.

She plays with power and speed, and is a big game threat. It's hard to assess players coming from weaker NCAA conferences like the AHA, but Janecke is an exception due to her international success with Team USA. Considering intangibles, she's a pro in her approach to the sport, and her adaptability to any role she's given.

Nieminen is physical, plays a power forward game, and has proven her ability at every level, including internationally with Finland. She's declaring, and will be an immediate veteran scoring option, power play addition, and physical presence to contend with.

Capable of playing big minutes against top opponents, Laitinen is the backbone of Finland's future, and will walk into a top four role with a PWHL team. She can handle the physical game, and while Laitinen focuses on defending first, she's a capable puck mover who makes good decisions at the offensive blueline. Has shown offensive growth this season, and element that has moved her up the rankings.

With the puck on her stick, Simms is deceptive, and has a skill set you won't see among other PWHL prospects in this draft. She uses her skating to keep all options open, and plays a possession style that can be hard to defend. Big game player, nerves of steel.

With USA she's proved herself as a valuable energy player capable of playing a checking line role, disrupting the attack, forechecking relentlessly, and hounding the puck. In the NCAA, she has those traits, but has more electrically used that speed and hockey sense to generate offense. Her diverse experiences have her ready to be an impact player. Being left off USA's Olympic roster was a blow, but won't significantly impact her draft status.

Big and mobile, Peschel uses her 5-foot-10 frame effectively in all three zones to break up the rush, close lanes, and with her reach, can find shooting lanes. She's been slightly overlooked on past powerhouse Ohio State teams, but that's about to change, and those who know, know Peschel is pro ready now.

She can contribute offensively and loves to take the body. Morrow will be a boost on the power play, and 5-on-5 will be a threat to join the rush. Scoring at close to a point per game from Minnesota's blueline. 

Her unabated approach to pursuing the puck impacts the game in all three zones. She's certainly undersized, but he drive, scoring ability, and skating help her mitigate that aspect. Biederman is going to be an immediate fan favourite.

Viivi Vainikka wants to play in this league. Most thought she'd be entering the draft this year, but inevitably, she chose to return to Sweden for the Olympic year. The young forward is fast, can handle the physical game, and would look good in a second line role in the league.  More of a playmaker than a goal scorer.

Hiirikoski looks renewed this season. The struggles of last season looked gone and she was herself, the stable, puck moving, highly intelligent defender she is. Yes, Hiirikoski is undersized and aging, but in a growing PWHL, she can provide veteran stability and run a power play like few out there. She's a lock for the Hall of Fame as the most decorated defender in the history of women's hockey. Even in a secondary role, Hiirikoski is a blueline upgrade on any PWHL team, but it's more likely she still falls into a top four role even if it's only for a season or two. Not seeing Hiirikoski in the PWHL would be a shame for the sport. 

Her 5-foot-11 frame, and balanced offensive abilities that make her equal parts playmaker and power forward will lend well in the PWHL. She might start on a third line, but Wunder has top six potential, and could immediately find herself playing a scoring line and power play role.

A physically strong blueliner who makes good decisions with the puck at the lines. She might actually find more offensive success professionally, but will thrive facing top lines while quietly contributing. She could fall if teams are looking for a more offensively minded blueliner, but she's the type of defender most teams need right now.

She's arguably the best goalie in the world playing outside North America, and the best pro goaltender not in the PWHL. Switzerland's starter is calm in her crease. If she declares, which it's expected she will, Brandli is the top goaltender in the draft and teams will target her sooner than later in the draft.

Has the hockey IQ needed to be effective in the PWHL and is only getting better with each campaign in the WCHA. Bouveng sees the ice well and can thread the needle with her passes, but she's also capable of keeping it and scoring herself.

Good skater, who moves pucks up ice effectively and defends using her mobility and stick. Often overlooked on a strong Wisconsin team, Jungels will be a valued pick in the PWHL.

She's big and has a mean streak. Last year Mattivi won the SDHL's Defender of the Year as a rookie after captaining Boston University the season before. The Italian national team member is off to another torrid start. Should she choose to forgo the Draft as she's already a free agent after declaring for a previous draft, Mattivi will have a long list of suitors, especially following another round of expansion. 

Shannon's 5-foot-11 frame is an asset in itself, and as Northeastern's captain, she's showing a more versatile game, including offensively. Shannon is a name who has continued to climb the rankings this season, and she looks more and more like a player who can make an impact professionally. 

Capable of playing physical, and even contributing offensively, Swiderski has shown more consistency from game-to-game and shift-to-shift as her final NCAA campaign progresses. Not going to be a high producing defender in the PWHL, but will provide consistency.

Not afraid to do all the unheralded items in a game like block shots, take away sticks in the neutral zone, and forecheck with purpose. The result is some opportunistic scoring from the Ohio State veteran. She's not going to put up huge numbers, but will make a team better and adds positive intangibles. When you dig into her advanced stats, there's even more to like. Her good habits should result in secondary offense at the pro level.

She's ready for the defensive responsibility and physicality of the PWHL. Adam also got off to a strong start offensively showing the upside she's continued to develop during her time at Cornell. Team preference could send her down a few rounds, but Adam is going to be a welcomed addition to a middle six.

Consistent, defends well taking away time and space and using good angles to the puck. Constantinople has also shown offensive growth in each season with Northeastern. She could turn into a sneaky-good pick up. Finds ways to get pucks through traffic.

Borgiel's offensive game blossomed last year. She's a solid distributor of the puck, and got a look with USA's Collegiate Select roster this summer.

Solid two way game with offensive upside. She got to be the focal point at Minnesota State before moving to Minnesota this year to hone her game alongside a wealth of future pros.

PWHL teams will covet Henderson's no-nonsense game as she defends well, competes hard, and does the little things right off the puck. You're not going to get a lot of flash and dash, but you are going to get a consistent performance night in and night out. Loves to block shots.

Good skater who often emerges from the pack using her opening strides. Johansson has a knack for finding her opportunities and finishing. Good analytics as well. 

The ZhHL's Defender of the Year in 2025, Batalova is a 29-year-old defender who likes to join the play and is a strong distributor of the puck. She's led the Russian league in assists by a defender four times and twice in points, including last season recording 14 goals and 40 points in 42 games, and is again topping the league. Believed to be declaring for the PWHL Draft, and with Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova figuring out the North American game and beginning to contribute, the door is wide open for more Russians to come to the league.

Regalado moves well, and makes good decisions with the puck. Showing solid offensive growth this season on a Cornell team that has been producing well balanced two-way pros. 

A hard checking competitor who does the little things right and goes to the tough areas. She can be opportunistic offensively looking like she's just wearing down her opponents and all of a sudden she's got the puck on her stick with room to attack.

The veteran first represented Russia internationally more than a decade ago and has been a stalwart on the Russian blueline since. A six-time All-Star in the ZhHL, Shibanova is one of a handful of experienced defenders who could contribute with upside in the PWHL. It's believed she's declaring.

She's one of Czechia's most consistent blueliners internationally, and is still getting better. At only 22, Cajanova has experience playing against the best on the planet at the World Championships, and has never looked out of place. She's mobile, and defends well with her positioning. Off to a very strong start this season showing more consistency. Her declaration status remains unknown. If she intends to declare, Cajanova would climb this list. 

A highly intelligent player, Lundin had a brief stint in North America. She left Ohio State to return to Europe, where her game flourished again. She's got the skill set, and has blossomed offensively in the SDHL, and with teams looking for scoring, Lundin could be a name considered. It's believed she'll declare.

She wasn't picked for Canada's national development team, but don't read too much into that. The Ohio State blueliner is going to be a good pro. Consistent and competitive.

Coming from a weaker program, Kirchmair has had the chance to play a top line role and get on the ice in every situation. The reigning Hockey East Player of the Year.

The reigning Hockey East Goaltender of the Year, Chan has put up four spectacular seasons statistically and is one of NCAA hockey's most underrated goalies. Her 5-foot-6 stature isn't big by modern women's hockey standards, but she makes up for it in other ways.

The 5-foot-10 forward has experience at the pro and NCAA levels in North America, has played at the Olympics and World Championships for Finland, and is ripping up the stat sheet, albeit in weak Finnish league. She's already PWHL eligible after declaring for the inaugural draft, so it's as likely a team signs Nuutinen this year or next in their hunt to add a veteran with her size, smarts, and ability to finish.

The unique 6-foot-2 forward is the best player in U Sports hockey. Likes to use her size in a net front position, and protects the puck well using her reach. It will be a jump to pro, particularly given the league has development time in preseason. Her upside remains highly tempting.

There's no doubt Nylund could step into a role with a PWHL team immediately. She's mature, doesn't shy away from physical play, has North American experience in the NCAA, and is a staple on Finland's national team. Good all-around addition. It's believed she'll declare.

A skilled scorer with an abundance of international experience, Duvin could be a hidden gem in the right situation in North America. She's the reigning back-to-back MVP in Switzerland's PostFinance Women's League. If her declaration status were known, Duvin would be higher on this list.

She remains tough to play against. Playing for Brown, it's hard to know what Iginla's offensive ceiling is, because she's never had the talent to surround herself with like nearly every other player on this list. Iginla plays a hard game, and should thrive in a bottom-six role in the PWHL with upside.

A good distributor who is playing key moments for a powerhouse Penn State program. The toughest question for players from Penn State is, can it translate to the pros? The program is so dominant in the weaker AHA that stats can be deceiving. 

Plenty of speed and compete, Thuvik is still only 23, but she's proven herself a consistent threat in the SDHL and has emerged as one of Sweden's top players internationally. There's no guarantee she declares.

Solid two-way defender who competes hard. Perhaps an under the radar player who teams will embrace. Plenty of successful Quinnipiac players in the league showing the program is developing all around athletes with pro havits. 

Solid puck mover, likes to block shots, and playing huge minutes for Union. She's an example of a player not to overlook coming from a smaller program. Bourque is getting the most out of a primetime role with Union, and facing top teams, she carries the load.

The Norwegian netminder is putting up solid numbers in the SDHL. She is already better than some of the goalies who will be in backup roles this season in the PWHL and would be a good insurance policy for a PWHL team looking for competition in their crease. Nystrom is a goalie who can come to North American and not just sit as a third, but can play games and contribute. It's believed she'll declare, but having already declared for a draft previously, Nystrom would also earn a free agent look.

Finds open ice well and continues to show productive growth at Clarkson. She is dangerous in close. Very strong on the dot as one of ECAC Hockey's top players in face-off categories. Consistently producing is the next step.

Having her best offensive campaign after missing significant time for injury. Looked good this summer with USA's Collegiate Select team. Will rise in the draft if she produces consistently in the second half.

One of the most consistent producers in ECAC hockey over the last four years, Ray is an intelligent distributor of the puck. She uses changes of pace as she crosses the offensive blueline to create space and lanes. 

Analytically, Picard is good on draws, drives possession, and will make a team harder to play against in a checking roll. Offensively she's never been given a scoring roll at Wisconsin, but watching the early success of Sarah Wozniewicz in the league this season, Picard could follow by showing that playing a pro style two-way game is as important as flash.

On pace for career highs to cap off her time at Yale. Consistent producer across her NCAA career. Could evolve in the PWHL. Size is her main drawback, but the numbers don't lie. 

A veteran who remains one of Czechia's most consistent threats. Pejzlova lit up her time in the NCAA, and has put up impressive numbers, albeit in weaker leagues, in Finland and Switzerland. Pejzlova might be a player who chooses to never come to the PWHL, but if she does, she'll add experience to a middle six. If her declaration status were known, Pejzlova would skyrocket up this list.

Has never quite reached her potential in the NCAA, but Van Gelder continues to play a positive possession game at Cornell and should get a good look in the PWHL.

Just a rock solid defender for Switzerland. She doesn't win you over with flash and risk taking, she wins you over with consistency, decision making, and a calming presence. Swiss players in Switzerland seem to be leaning toward staying in the PostFinance league, but the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world remains available. Her status is currently unknown.

The 5-foot-10 left shot defender is capable of playing on her off side and will be a top pairing blueliner with Clarkson after transferring from Merrimack. She's motivated to be a pro and you can see it in her process.

A mobile defender who continues to grow and improve each season not only in the SDHL but also as a member of Sweden's national team. Still only 23, Forsgren is showing signs of offensive growth this season and is on pace to smash her personal bests. Her draft intentions are currently unknown.

Bergstrom has always been a consistent defender both in the NCAA and internationally. This year she's expanded her skill set and is contributing more with the puck. Would look good on a third pairing in the PWHL. Considering the draft, but no decision is final.

A good distributor of the puck, Messier is a highly intelligent player who finds ways to continue. She skates well, but the biggest knock is that she can get knocked off pucks physically. Good shot blocker who will likely find her way in this league due to her hockey IQ.

Petford could become the first NEWHA alumni to make the PWHL. Transferring to Colgate allowed Petford to continue her offensive play, all while learning to compete against tougher components. 

Does a lot more than score. Kuoppala could step into a bottom six role and be a welcomed and experienced addition. She previously declared and could be a free agent target if she's interested in coming to North America again after playing her NCAA hockey at Maine. 

After transferring to Quinnipiac last season, Frenette's game has continued in an upward trajectory. Better to judge her draft status by where she ends in March rather than what she's doing now as new layers to her game continue to unfold. 

Alongside twin sister Luisa, the Welcke's are two-way energy players who find ways to contribute that don't always involve the scoresheet. Might need a year in Europe, but she looks capable of playing a checking line role in the PWHL now.

Consistent producer for Princeton no matter who she's played alongside the last three seasons. While Princeton's big names may get the credit, O'Leary has quietly produced.

Creative and a good finisher, Christian is a good skater who plays a possession game. Numbers don't tell the full story at Penn State, so teams will be watching her physical compete and what she does off the puck.

Good on ice instincts, and can play a power game. Sometimes stops her feet which won't fly in the PWHL. Certainly has the upside to step in and compete.

More of a blue collar player. Might need a year in Europe to build offensively, but she could play a checking line role.

The 5-foot-8 two-way defender can transport the puck and has a good shot. She's been one of Russia's top scoring blueliners since first representing Russia internationally at 16. Now 26, she tied for the ZhHL defensive scoring lead last season with 40 points in 42 games. She's yet to express her interest in declaring, but would climb if she did. 

Another player who could play in the league, but it's unclear if she intends to come to North America. She's stayed in Europe's lower leagues and thrived, and remained a key member of Finland's national team. If she were to declare, she'd climb this list.

Great numbers and consistent producer for Clarkson. There are some areas for improvement in her game, but with expansion, she could fight her way onto a roster, or go to Europe for a season.

Already PWHL eligible having previously declared, Karjalainen made a major statement this season by rejoining Finland's national team and earning an Olympic roster spot. She has North American experience in the NCAA, and as a bottom pair blueliner could be a boost to blueline depth.

Much like her sister, there's a lot to like about Luisa Welcke's overall 200-foot game. Internationally with Germany, she has found ways to compete and impact her nation positively.