{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The NCAA national championship tournament in Durham, New Hampshire, which runs from March 14 to March 24 will be the final look many PWHL teams get at college players this season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With the 2024 PWHL Draft rapidly approaching, here's a look at the top PWHL Draft prospects on each team at the 2024 NCAA women's hockey national championships." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "#1 Ohio State", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Ohio State is the top ranked team for a reason despite falling to Wisconsin in the WCHA final. They'll also have a pair of first round picks in Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes. Bilka has first overall potential if Princeton's Sarah Fillier doesn't steal the honor, and Barnes is the likely first defender off the board. Bilka is a slick forward who can lift people out of their seat, while Barnes is a two-way defender who plays a physical brand despite being on the small side. Barnes will likely be joined in the draft by a slew of Ohio State blueliners in Stephanie Markowski, Hadley Hartmetz, and Lauren Bernard are all considered solid prospects for the draft. Goalie Raygan Kirk will be another player to watch, although the depth of goaltending could keep her out of a roster spot, and more likely makes her a free agent target. Up front Jennifer Gardiner will be a player selected somewhere in the early to mid-rounds of the PWHL Draft. The dynamic forward uses her on ice intelligence to produce, and got a look with Canada at the Rivalry Series this year. Kelsey King plays a style up front for Ohio State that could make her a valuable bottom six addition, but she struggled to produce this season, which could hurt her chances." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "#2 Wisconsin", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Britta Curl is Wisconsin's top prospect for the PWHL Draft. The Badgers captain is a puck hound who can drive momentum, a point she also showed at the Rivalry Series this season. She projects as a middle six forward next season. There is, however, concern over Curl's open support for transphobia online, as it goes against the PWHL's messages of inclusion and equity. On the blueline Anna Wilgren is another player who will certainly hear her name called at the PWHL Draft, and could prove to be one of the earlier defenders off the board. She's seen time with USA at the Rivalry Series and earned an invite to their final selection camp this year. The 5-foot-8 blueliner has battled injuries in the past, but put together a healthy and productive season this year. Chayla Edwards shouldn't be overlooked as a late round prospect, or free agent invite to a PWHL camp as she does the little things right and is an effective defender who rarely makes a bad decision on the ice. She is a low risk player unlike many of the defenders in the league this season who are playing with mixed success. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "#3 Colgate", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Colgate is loaded with future PWHL talent. Leading the way is Danielle Serdachny, the team's leading scorer who is a member of Canada's national team. She should see herself selected in the first two rounds of the draft this year as a forward who uses her size well, and can break games open as a finisher. A pair of Colgate blueliners, Ally Simpson and Sydney Bard are likely picks as well, who could climb into the upper half of the draft as teams look to retool their bluelines. Both are capable of playing on both sides of the puck and earned invites to USA Hockey's final selection camp. Continuing with Colgate's group is Dara Greig, a tenacious two way forward who can finish and would look good in the middle or bottom six of the PWHL team next year as a player whose style and role should thrive at the pro level. Kaitlyn O'Donohoe had a slip in her production this year, but has enough upside to earn a late round look or free agent invite." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "#4 Clarkson", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "What Clarkson lacks in top round talent, they make up for in multi-faceted players who can add to the depth and attack of PWHL rosters. Dominique Petrie and Alexie Guay have both represented their nations at the U-18 level, and have promising skill sets that should translate to the PWHL level. Up front Darcie Lappan and Brooke McQuigge will also get interest in the late rounds or as free agent invites." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "#5 Minnesota", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "What's scary for the rest of the nation is the bulk of Minnesota's talent is set to return next season. If odds were being laid for the 2025 National title, Minnesota would be the early favourite. Defender Madeline Wethington should hear her name called in the mid to late rounds of the PWHL Draft, as the most likely pick from this Minnesota roster. Wehtington has good size standing 5-foot-10, and can play a two-way game. Goaltender Lucy Morgan is a good prospect, but the league's goaltending depth makes her a more likely free agent invite than draft pick. Taylor Stewart is also eligible, but a long shot for the draft." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Minnesota-Duluth", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Captain Mannon McMahon is one of the best NCAA players in the face off circle, which shouldn't lend well to her grabbing a roster spot immediately not only for her offensive upside, but her ability to take care of things in her own zone. McMahon isn't a sure thing, but she's a likely pick in the mid-late roudns of the draft, and is a player who could turn into a draft day steal. Reece Hunt had a breakout season up front for Minnesota, and although she could find her way into the draft, is more likely a player who will earna free agent tryout." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "UConn", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If there's any player with an outside chance at being drafted from Connecticut, it's Coryn Tormala, but don't count on seeing any Huskies in the PWHL Draft this year." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Cornell", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Izzy Daniel is a sure fire PWHL Draft pick producing consistently over her NCAA career. She's a skilled forward who should slot into a top six, but may need to lean on her skills in a middle six role to start in the league. A favourite for the Patty Kazmaier, Daniel won't last long on draft day likely going off the board in the first four rounds. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "St. Lawrence", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Mae Batherson will be St. Lawrence's lone representative at the 2024 PWHL Draft. The two way defender should earn an opportunity to play immediately. Next season Julia Gosling and Anna Segedi will be prospects worth watching, but this time around it will be all eyes on Batherson." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Penn State", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Former Team Canada U-18 national team captain Maggie MacEachern could find her way into the second half of the PWHL Draft. She's a steady defender who can play solid minutes in her own zone. Few have the intangibles of MacEachern, who should endear herself to whatever PWHL team selects her or signs her quickly." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Stonehill", "level": 2 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "There are no players on the Stonehill roster headed for the PWHL Draft as the team celebrates their first ever appearance at the NCAA national championships." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "", "level": 2 } } ] }

Top PWHL Free Agents Who Could Bolster Teams This Season

MacEachern Follows Her Love For Hockey Across The World

PWHL Draft: Prospects To Watch At The NCAA National Tournament