PWHL Las Vegas announced today that Tessa Janecke has signed a 2-year Standard Player Agreement. Janecke, the first draft pick in franchise history, is set to make her PWHL debut at the start of the 2026-27 season. Janecke comes off a program record-setting collegiate career at Penn State University, setting records in goals (89), assists (112), and points (201). Janecke capped off her college career as a top three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, totalling 48 points as she led her team to their first Frozen Four appearance. 

“It’s a great honor and opportunity to be part of building a team and fanbase from the ground up - a role that’s familiar to me throughout my hockey career and that I’m excited to embrace with PWHL Las Vegas,” said Janecke in a press release. “The Las Vegas community has created their own hockey culture, showing up and loudly supporting their teams, so getting to play in front of those fans is special. I don’t take this opportunity lightly and I look forward to representing and helping grow Las Vegas hockey.”

Janecke won Olympic Gold with Team USA in Milan this year, adding another medal to her cabinet of two golds and one silver she earned at IIHF Women’s World Championships. 

“Tessa is the kind of player every organization hopes to build around,” said Dominique DiDia, PWHL Las Vegas General Manager. “Her talent speaks for itself, but what stands out most about her is her character, compete level, and passion for the game. We believe she'll play a significant role in establishing the identity of PWHL Vegas—not only through her performance on the ice, but through the relationships she'll build with our fans and the lasting impact she'll have in the Las Vegas community.”

Janecke joins a strong Las Vegas team prepared to make an immediate impact in their inaugural season, and Vegas now has 14 players under contract.