The PWHL is officially expanding by two teams. First came the announcement the league was headed to Vancouver, which was followed by the news that Seattle would also get a team in time for the 2025-26 season.
Unlike the inaugural six franchises in the PWHL, the two expansion clubs came with venues, with Vancouver heading to the Pacific Coliseum, the league's first primary venue, and the PWHL Seattle club sharing Climate Pledge Arena with the NHL's Seattle Kraken.
With that work done, the league can turn their focus to building the clubs including staffing them with coaches, general managers, and support staff, as well as the more important task of building competitive teams on the ice. As PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford said, the league wants their expansion teams to "compete on day one for a Walter Cup."
It means a deep expansion draft, player recruitment through free agency, and the 2025 PWHL Draft. Considering the 2024 PWHL Draft only saw 42 players chosen, and not all made rosters, the need for 46 new player is not inconsequential.
"46 new roster spots is something that we're all excited about and proud of," said Jayna Hefford, the PWHL's executive vice president of hockey operations. "The depth of talent in the women's game continues to grow year by year."
Looking At The Pool Of Veteran Players
It's highly likely many of the PWHL's existing reserve players grab roster spots for next season. This year the league pulled a handful of veteran players back from Europe like Shay Maloney, and also players out of retirement like Gabby Rosenthal. While many contracts remain in place through 2026 in Europe, there are a handful of players who should see renewed opportunities in the PWHL next season.
Players with PWHL experience who could be expected to return and earn regular roster spots include forwards like Sarah Bujold and Savannah Norcross. On the blueline, it's a list that could include Dominique Kremer, Maude Poulin-Labelle, and Madison Bizal. Previously drafted players like Ilona Markova are expected to return to North America for another crack at the league as well.
There's a group of players who would be new to the PWHL in Europe who are also expected to declare this season. That list includes players like Emma Seitz, Reece Hunt, Emma Bergesen, Julia Nearis, Darcie Lappan, Gabby Jones, and Marah Wagner.
From other European leagues, North American players like Lea MacLeod, Maggy Burbidge, Elizabeth Lang, Courtney Kollman, and Joelle Fiala could earn looks.
The 2025 PWHL Draft
The 2025 PWHL Draft will provide ample opportunities for new players to get their start in the league. Known quantities coming to the league from the NCAA include players like Kristyna Kaltounkova, Casey O'Brien, Haley Winn, Nicole Gosling, Rory Guilday, and Natalie Mlynkova. Unless the expansion teams are gifted multiple picks at the top however, they can only expect to take one of those players each, with the others filling gaps left through the expansion draft on other clubs.
There are unique veteran players in the PWHL Draft however, who could also greatly benefit a PWHL club. Not only the aforementioned North American players in Europe, but others such as Michelle Karvinen, Anna Shokhina, Sara Hjalmarsson, and Franziska Feldmeier are all declaring, and could be contributors.
Is there enough depth to maintain the level of play?
No. Not immediately. After only two seasons, the depth of the PWHL stands where there are fourth line players like Jamie Lee Rattray, Julia Gosling, and Victoria Bach. The depth on third and fourth lines across the league is too great to expect players selected after the third round in this year's draft to fill those spots with the same capabilities.
It may create slightly more scoring in year three as coaches attempt to find mismatches in lines. It will however, give new opportunities for more skilled players buried on rosters to move up the lineup.
When the 2026 draft class arrives, the eight teams will be equally strong, or stronger than the level of skill and parity the PWHL sees this season. That class will be loaded to the brim with elite talent. It's a group that could include Abbey Murphy and Lacey Eden depending on their declaration decision this year. It will certainly include players like Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Tessa Janecke, Kirsten Simms, Sydney Morrow, Nelli Laitinen, Issy Wunder, Emma Peschel, and Elyssa Biederman. From Europe the 2026 Draft is expected to include Viivi Vainikka, Elisa Holopainen, Sara Cajanova, Sanni Rantala, Hanna Thuvik, Emilia Vesa, Tereza Radova, and potentially Petra Nieminen and Lara Stalder. The incoming group in 2026 could form a contending team themselves.
Expansion Crucial To Global Game
Expansion will save the flow of European players to North America. This year some top European players like Noora Tulus, Klara Peslarova, Noemi Neubauerova, Klara Hymlarova, Anna Meixner and Daniela Pejsova all struggled to find their space in the league at times. That won't be the case next season as European players will be counted on more heavily in elevated roles.
It will save the pipeline that this year looks like it will only include a trickle of top European players.
There is a possibility however, that some of Europe's top players like Michaela Pejzlova change their minds and head to North America immediately.
Expansion will also provide opportunities for star players from nations outside the top five nations to grab roster spots, including from Austria, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, France, and elsewhere. It will make the scouting and recruitment opportunity of the 2026 Olympic Games one of the biggest yet.