The 2025 PWHL Draft is going to be crucial for the success of the original six franchises in the league who will look to claw back a little talent after being pillaged in both the expansion process and free agency.
The league's design put the existing teams at a significant disadvantage and has thrown the league's competitive balance out of whack. The best teams can hope for now is to hit a few home runs in the 2025 PWHL Draft, but Seattle and Vancouver will also be adding, albeit from the bottom of the draft order.
The draft will run six rounds, with New York picking first in each. Following New York will be Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Minnesota, Vancouver, and Seattle. Vancouver and Seattle will switch places in each round.
With teams having re-filled a portion of their rosters via free agency, team specific needs at various positions are now known. For example, in New York where they have seven defenders, it's not likely to see the Sirens targeting a blueliner. The same can be said in the early rounds for Vancouver and Seattle who each have six defenders locked in.
It would also not be surprising to see teams with more need on their rosters to make a trade for additional picks.
Here's The Hockey News final mock draft ahead of the 2025 PWHL Draft:
Round One
1. New York Sirens - Kristyna Kaltounkova, F, Colgate
The Sirens need scoring, and Kaltounkova can bring that. Can she single handedly replace the lost output from Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge? No. But she brings a variety of two-way skills and physicality that will make her a highly effective player in this league.
2. Boston Fleet - Haley Winn, D, Clarkson
Boston lost Emily Brown, Sydney Bard, and Jessica DiGirolamo, and brought in a few defensive defenders, but Winn is a one-of-a-kind player in this draft. She's the top defender available, and some think the top player available. Boston has lacked a player with her puck distribution skills on the blueline, and now they'll have her.
3. Toronto Sceptres - Casey O'Brien, F, Wisconsin
Could Toronto go safe with their Canadian connections by picking Nicole Gosling? Sure. But they need an offensive infusion, and the NCAA's leading scorer and Patty Kazmaier winner who broke Hilary Knight's Wisconsin scoring records sounds like the ticket.
4. Montreal Victoire - Nicole Gosling, D, Clarkson
Well look what the Victoire found. Their blueline was decimated in expansion, but Sauvageau made some key signings and can at #4 add another elite blueliner to fill out their top pair alongside Erin Ambrose.
5. Ottawa Charge - Rory Guilday, D, Cornell
Ottawa has no other option but to pick a defender, and luckily for them, the sizeable shutdown defender that is Rory Guilday will be a perfect fit, and can immediately play top pairing minutes.
6. Minnesota Frost - Natalie Mlynkova, F, Minnesota
The opportunity to add Mlyknova to their already strong forward group to replace Michela Cava on their top line is too good to pass up. They certainly need a top six forward, and the Czechia national team standout is a fit.
7. PWHL Vancouver - Anne Cherkowski, F, Clarkson
Why not add another British Columbia native who makes an already dominant forward group even stronger. Her two-way game can play up or down Vancouver's lineup, and she's a stylistic fit for what Gardner Morey has built.
8. PWHL Seattle - Jenna Buglioni, F, Ohio State
It would be no surprise at all to watch Seattle pick Quinnipiac's Kendall Cooper given Meghan Turner's ties to the school, but they need more depth up front, and Buglioni has the potential to play a top six role, but will give Seattle's third line some punch.
Round Two
9. New York Sirens - Michelle Karvinen, F, Frolunda
This would be a coup for New York. Putting Karvinen on Sarah Fillier or Kaltounkova's wing would be a tremendous steal for the Sirens who need the offensive help. She's also a quality person and leader, which will kick start the culture shift in New York.
10. Boston Fleet - Kendall Coooper, D, Quinnipiac
It feels like there's a trade that could happen in this area like it did last year where Boston tries to move up to grab Karvinen to play alongside Susanna Tapani. After picking a defender in the opening round, Boston should be taking a forward here, but Cooper is too good to pass on and would give Boston a very healthy top six.
11. Toronto Sceptres - Ella Huber, F, Minnesota
Continuing their pickings of top American prospects, Ella Huber is an intelligent player who can give Toronto another look up front. She has strong ties to Toronto as well.
12. Montreal Victoire - Sara Hjalmarsson, F, Linkoping
Always willing to be bold on draft day, Montreal has an opportunity to grab another big, physical forward after they already inked Shiann Darkangelo and Hayley Scamurra. Is it a few picks high for Hjalmarsson? Maybe. But can you put a price on veteran experience in the draft?
13. Ottawa Charge - Nina Jobst-Smith, D, Minnesota-Duluth
In the first truly positional stab of the draft, Ottawa has to go with another defender. Jobst-Smith is the anchor of Germany's blueline, she was stellar in the WCHA facing tough competition, and Ottawa has a penchant for UMD players. Match made in heaven.
14. Minnesota Frost - Vita Ponyatovskaya, D, Yale
Another defender above their bracket, but Minnesota lost two puck moving defenders, and this is likely their best chance to get one back. The rest of the blueliners available begin to shift to a more defensive mindset with a lower offensive ceiling.
15. PWHL Seattle - Abby Hustler, F, St. Lawrence
Good size, plays a powerful game, can join the top six, but more importantly, has incredible chemistry with Julia Gosling who was picked by Seattle in the expansion draft. Reuniting the former St. Lawrence duo makes a lot of sense.
16. PWHL Vancouver - Kiara Zanon, F, Ohio State
She's a possession player who will add secondary scoring and pace to Vancouver's attack.
Round Three
17. New York Sirens - Anna Shokhina, RW, Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg
Go big or go home. New York's right side is weak, and Shokhina is a veteran who is a proven scorer. If you put her on a wing with Fillier or Kaltounkova in the middle, she'll produce.
18. Boston Fleet - Maya Labad, LW, Quinnipiac
Boston has done some work up front, but adding a player like Labad who likes to get to the net and can score from the wing is crucial.
19. Toronto Sceptres - Skylar Irving, C, Northeastern
A dream two-way centre to fill Toronto's third or fourth line pivot role. She should be able to produce, but more importantly won't cost Toronto and plays a responsible game like Troy Ryan likes.
20. Montreal Victoire - Makenna Webster, RW, 23, Ohio State
With the success Montreal has last year with Ohio State pick up Jennifer Gardiner, it wouldn't hurt to add another which would really give them options up front.
21. Ottawa Charge - Anna Segedi, C, 24, St. Lawrence
If they can get two defenders in the opening two rounds, Ottawa should shift to offensive talent. Segedi is a speedster who has dynamic agility. Would not be surprising to see Ottawa go to Clara Van Wieren, or even snag another defender like Dayle Ross here.
22. Minnesota Frost - Peyton Hemp, RW, Minnesota
Keep the homegrown content coming. Adding Peyton Hemp to Minnesota's right side might allow the Frost to utilize Klara Hymlarova on the blueline at times next season. Dayle Ross is a serious contender here as well, as is Riley Brengman and Hannah Baskin if Minnesota wants to shore their blueline first.
23. PWHL Vancouver - Sanni Ahola, G, 25, St. Cloud State
As good as Emerance Maschmeyer is, the icing on the cake for Vancouver would be to steal Ahola here and secure a goalie who can spell her off, as Maschmeyer is coming off a serious injury.
24. PWHL Seattle - Emma Gentry, C, 22, St. Cloud State
When you look at the roster Seattle has compiled, they are big. Adding 5-foot-11 Emma Gentry to a third line role brings more size, more physicality, and more upside.
Round Four
25. New York Sirens - Hannah Muphy, G, Colgate
They need a second goalie, and Murphy is familiar not only with head coach Greg Fargo, but played in a tandem with Kayle Osborne at Colgate.
26. Boston Fleet - Morgan Neitzke, LW, Lindenwood
More for their wings, but more importantly, more offensive upside from a player who could help them in their production. Bit of a stretch at this point in the draft, but her upside is worth it.
27. Toronto Sceptres - Dayle Ross, D, St. Cloud State
Great skater, strong, puck battle winner, she's going to be a great third pair shutdown defender, and that's just what Toronto needs.
28. Montreal Victoire - Riley Brengman, D, Ohio State
Another Ohio State product that will provide Montreal with solid third pair minutes and reliable defending.
29. Ottawa Charge - Hanna Baskin, D, Minnesota-Duluth
A shutdown defender with good leadership skills from a program they trust. If Ottawa targets defenders like this, they'll be ok.
30. Minnesota Frost - Lyndie Lobdell, D, Penn State
Reliable defender who can help fill a bottom pair role in Minnesota
31. PWHL Seattle - Clara Van Wieren, C, Minnesota-Duluth
She's big, reliable on both sides of the puck, and a good leader. Seattle continues to load up on size.
32. PWHL Vancouver - Sarah Wozniewicz, RW, Wisconsin
You can't make a much better depth addition than Wozniewicz who is a prototypical checking line winger with a motor that doesn't quit. She's a big game player capping a Vancouver group that will be very hard to play against.
Round Five
33. New York Sirens - Anna Bargman, LW, Yale
A possession and analytically impressive player. She's going to be solid, but it's the hidden potential in those analytics that make this an attractive addition for New York.
34. Boston Fleet - Maddy Samoskevich, C/D, Quinnipiac
Highly versatile, good on the dot, defensively reliable, but also good offensive skills and instincts.
35. Toronto Sceptres - Maddi Wheeler, LW, Ohio State
From a strong program, Wheeler can play a complimentary role in Toronto. She's been on Canada's radar having twice represented Canada at the U-18s, so she's a known quantity to Toronto's brass.
36. Montreal Victoire - Olivia Mobley, RW, Minnesota-Duluth
A late positional target for Montreal who needs scoring depth down their right side. Mobley scored 19 last year in the NCAA, and has some punch to her game.
37. Ottawa Charge - Olivia Wallin, LW, Minnesota-Duluth
Sticking with what they know, Ottawa takes another UMD Bulldog with offensive upside. Leaning on cohesion and chemistry, it's a tactic that could work.
38. Minnesota Frost - Lily Delianedis, C, Cornell
The Edina, Minnesota product is a great depth add like the one's who have benefitted Minnesota well in the playoffs. She can be the heir to Liz Schepers' vacancy.
39. PWHL Vancouver - Maggie MacEachern, D, KRS Shenzhen
MacEachern is the type of solid defender and leader that Vancouver has already been targeting. She gives Vancouver depth and experience, and helps make their own blueline expansion proof for the future. She's a well known opponent of Gardner Morey's from the NCAA.
40. PWHL Seattle - Kathryn Reilly, D, DNP
Going completely off board here, Seattle is a likely landing spot for Reilly as a pick or post draft free agent. She's from the west coast as a British Columbia product, and was the leading scorer from the blueline in the NCAA last season with Quinnipiac. As a seventh in Seattle, it's a fit.
Round Six
41. New York Sirens - Maggy Burbidge, RW, HC Fribourg-Gottéron
It might feel like the right thing to do to swing for the fences here for New York. Fanuza Kadirova would be another name if New York did in fact get Shokhina earlier. With their history of looking at U Sports athletes however, Maggy Burbidge is an intriguing name. Came from the NCAA to U Sports where she was an All-Canadian. Turned pro in Switzerland last year leading her team in scoring. Good hands, good hockey IQ. Upside is there.
42. Boston Fleet - Callie Shanahan, G, Boston University
She's big, and brings the local flare. Shanahan has remained on USA Hockey's radar and is a no brainer to fill the void behind Frankel. There are two Boston University defenders who would be great free agent invites as well.
43. Toronto Sceptres - Brianna Brooks, C, Penn State
Great analytics, she's a player who can filter into Toronto's bottom six and do the little things right, all while providing secondary offense. The Whitby product would be close to home.
44. Montreal Victoire - Lucia Haluskova, RW, 2000, HK PSRZ Bratislava
Montreal has swung for the fences with their final pick in two straight seasons picking Lina Ljungblom and Amanda Kessel. Don't expect them to stray from this strategy unless they see a specific fit for a positional need. Could easily be another forward like Vanessa Upson, Abby Newhook or one of the European's still on the board. She might need a season to get stronger, but the skill set is there for Haluskova.
45. Ottawa Charge - Tamara Giaquinto, D, Boston University
If you can add the Hockey East Defender of the Year with your final pick, that's a win. She's consistent and a good leader. It cost Ottawa a lot to replenish their blueline. Had they been more successful in luring free agents, switching this pick to a forward would be wise, but locking in their backend has to be a priority.
46. Minnesota Frost - Nicole Vallario, D, St. Thomas
The Minnesota based options are endless for the Frost in free agency. They can steal incredible talent up front like Sydney Langseth, Alexis Paddington, and Madison Mashuga. With that in mind, taking another defender with some offensive upside is worth it here. Vallario played in Minnesota in the NCAA with St. Thomas, and showed incredible growth this year at Worlds with Switzerland. Brooke Becker is another strong option here if they're looking for more grit on their blueline.
47. PWHL Seattle - Peyton Anderson, F, 2001, DNP
If they wanted to go back to the well of size, Dartmouth's Laura Fuoco is a great option, or they could go with the high end motor of Quinnipiac's Jenna Donohoe, or a more skilled player like Vanessa Upson. With Dave Flint in their war room for expansion however, Peyton Anderson feels like a good pick in Seattle. She was one of NCAA hockey's best two-way forwards with Northeastern and has considerable offensive upside while playing a bottom six role for Seattle. They could go off board and pick goalie Kaley Doyle here, which would surprise no one.
48. PWHL Vancouver - Reece Hunt, F, Lulea
Had a season ending injury early last campaign. She's a British Columbia native with significant offensive upside. She's got great finish around the net, and in a short sample size in Sweden showed how much she can elevate her game when surrounded by pros. She'll be a serious post draft free agency target of many teams if unselected. Vancouver could also throw the hometown crowd something to cheer about here by picking one of the available UBC forwards like MacKenzie Kordic who would be a physical force on their fourth line, or Chanreet Bassi who has a good motor and has produced well.
Best Still Available
Brooke Becker, D, Providence; Julia Shaunessy, D, Boston University; Vanessa Upson, C, Mercyhurst; Alexandra Huszak, C, MAC Budapest; Sydney Langseth, C, Minnesota State; Laura Fuoco, C, Dartmouth; Olivia Muhn, D, Yale; Darcie Lappan, LW, MoDo; Madison Mashuga, RW, Minnesota State; Jenna Donohue, F, Quinnipiac; Franziska Feldmeier, F, Eisbaren Berlin; Ava Rinker, D, Connecticut; Abby Newhook, C, Boston College.
Team-By-Team Mock Selections
New York Sirens - Kristyna Kaltounkova, Michelle Karvinen, Anna Shokhina, Hannah Murphy, Anna Bargman, Maggy Burbidge
Boston Fleet - Haley Winn, Kendall Cooper, Maya Labad, Morgan Neitzke, Maddy Samoskevich, Callie Shanahan
Toronto Sceptres - Casey O'Brien, Ella Huber, Skylar Irving, Dayle Ross, Maddi Wheeler, Brianna Brooks
Montreal Victoire - Nicole Gosling, Sara Hjalmarsson, Makenna Webster, Riley Brengman, Olivia Mobley, Lucia Haluskova.
Ottawa Charge - Rory Guilday, Nina Jobst-Smith, Anna Segedi, Hanna Baskin, Olivia Wallin, Tamara Giaquinto
Minnesota Frost - Natalie Mlynkova, Vita Ponyatovskaya, Peyton Hemp, Lyndie Lobdell, Lily Delianedis, Nicole Vallario
PWHL Vancouver - Anne Cherkowski, Kiara Zanon, Sanni Ahola, Sarah Wozniewicz, Maggie MacEachern, Reece Hunt
PWHL Seattle - Jenna Buglioni, Abby Hustler, Emma Gentry, Clara Van Wieren, Kathryn Reilly, Peyton Anderson