In the most recent PWHL draft, two players from California and two from Texas heard their names called, showing the continued growth of women's hockey in southern states.

Men's hockey has already had its moment in the sun. Well, make that its moment seeing players from sunshine states making it to the NHL.

The PWHL is about to have its first influx of players from states like California and Texas.

At the most recent PWHL Draft, Hannah Bilka and Ally Simpson, a pair of Texas born players were drafted, while Cayla Barnes and Dominique Petrie hail from California. 

Petrie, from Hermosa Beach, California, grew up playing boys' 'AAA' hockey with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and later the San Diego Jr. Gulls until she left for university attending Harvard and Clarkson. She was one of the lucky players who didn't have to leave California to pursue women's hockey elsewhere.

"I was very fortunate in the sense I never had to leave California," said Petrie.

Cayla Barnes, a Corona, California product played much of her hockey in California, but left closer to college to play for the East Coast Wizards. But the game is rapidly growing in California for women.

"Just to be able to see the growth of the game out here and the opportunities that young girls now have to be able to play girls hockey and to not have to leave California as well and play all the way through up until they go to college has been awesome to see," said Petrie.

They aren't the only sunbelt players to hear their names called in the PWHL Draft this season. Hannah Bilka of Coppell, Texas, and Allyson Simpson of Fort Worth, Texas were also selected representing another market where elite women's hockey players are beginning to reach the top echelon of competition.

Looking at players from these states, players like Chelsey Goldberg and Annie Pankowski are other California products to reach the pros in the PWHPA. Pankowski was the first player ever from California to play for USA's U-18 national team. Pankowski would later play for USA's senior national team, but she wasn't the first California product to do so. That honor goes to Glendale California's Barb Gordon who spent time with Team USA during the 1996-1997 season. The player who first appeared in IIHF competition for USA from California was Lyndsey Wall who represented USA at the 2002 Olympics. She'd go on to win national titles for Minnesota, and play at Worlds and a second Olympics with USA. Chanda Gunn, a Huntington Beach, California born netminder was the second, playing in three World Championships for USA, winning Best Goaltender in 2005, following multiple Patty Kazmaier nominations backstopping Northeastern in the NCAA.

From Texas, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, who was born in Dallas, played in one World Championship for USA in 1992 after an NCAA career at New Hampshire. 

Another sunshine state player who represented USA was Jessica Koizumi. The Hawaii product played for USA in 2008 after captaining the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She'd go on to win two CWHL Clarkson Cup titles, and would also play in the NWHL.