With the full PWHL draft list now available, many things became clear. But that doesn't mean draft day will be without surprises.
With the full PWHL draft list now available, many things became clear. But that doesn't mean draft day will be without surprises.
When the PWHL Draft gets under way September 18, there will be excitement for women's hockey fans across the globe, and there will also be some surprises.
Compassionate Circumstances Could Impact Draft
The PWHL encouraged players to apply for compassionate circumstances to designate a desired market they wish to play in based on various needs. The offer was made to support the athletes and keep players close to parents, children, or other obligations that could not be left behind full time. All players who applied received confirmation this week of whether they were approved or denied.
How this comes into play at the draft however, will vary, and could leave some fans scratching their heads on draft day. To avoid that feeling, here's what you need to know.
Some players who received compassionate consideration will still be drafted by their desired team on September 18, while other players who received compassionate consideration for the draft will not be selected by any team. Those unselected players can then tryout for the team in their desired market.
The league has stated they will not be releasing the names of those who applied for compassionate circumstance consideration to protect the privacy of those players.
Surprise Additions To The Draft List
While most of the draft declaration list was already known, there were some surprises that emerged on the draft list, including players thought to be retired, and players under contract with European clubs.
One surprise name on the list was long time USA national team member Gigi Marvin. Marvin, 36, has 10 Olympic and World Championship medals, including gold at both, and was named a World Championship all-star in 2012. She did not play this season.
Players under contract who appeared on the list included Sweden's leading scorer from the recent World Championships, Lina Ljungblom. Ljungblom, 21, is signed to play with MoDo this year in the SDHL. She scored seven goals and 10 points in seven games for Sweden at the 2023 Worlds. If she has the freedom, adding a young international star would be a huge boost for the league. Other players currently under contract in the SDHL who declared include Cami Kronish, Blanka Skodova, and Emily Rickwood.
Could Anyone Make a Comeback?
There are 31 players on the draft list who did not play hockey in 2022-2023 including Gigi Marvin. She's the most notable name on the list, but not the only name worth noting.
Alex Cavallini who won multiple gold medals backstopping Team USA took a year away from the game after having a daughter. She began training again just prior to the 2023 World Championships, and could turn into a steal of a netminder.
Susanna Tapani was set to make her return with the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters until the league was acquired, but she's set on playing in North America, and teams would be silly to not take a chance on the Finnish legend.
Keely Moy, a member of Switzerland's national team also took the PWHL Draft as an opportunity to return to hockey.
As did former PWHPA members Courtney Turner, Katherine Bailey, Terra Lanteigne, Bailey Coyne, Chelsey Goldberg, and Tracy-Ann Lavigne.
Who Didn't Declare For The Draft?
The list of notable omissions from the draft list was longer than many expected. Players had to declare themselves eligible, so any player not on the list made the choice not to play. That list included Team Canada's Rebecca Johnston and Team USA's Amanda Kessel. Former Canadian national team members Meghan Mikkelson, Laura Fortino, Brigette Lacquette, and Jennifer Wakefield, as well as Kacey Bellamy, a former Team USA member all chose not to play. Bellamy was scheduled to make a return to the ice this winter with the PHF's Connecticut Whale.
Speaking of the PHF, a number of PHF players also walked away including Christina Putigna, Melissa Samoskevich, Breanne Wilson-Bennett, Katie Burt, Whitney Dove, Emilie Harley, Sydney Baldwin, Kristina Shanahan and Sarah Forster.