Danielle Serdachny discusses being drafted second overall in the 2023 PWHL Draft by PWHL Ottawa. The inaugural PWHL draft provided each team the opportunity to add fifteen incredibly talented individuals from around the world. Now that the season is behind us, teams were able to assess how to improve and with a deep draft class ahead of them, they had seven more chances to continue defining their team for this season, and for seasons to come. Ottawa had already started the work on what their team would look like, signing both forward Natalie Snodgrass and Zoe Boyd to one year contract extensions, along with defender Aneta Tejralová to a two year contract extension. As we await another potential contract extension, which was alluded to by Ottawa GM Mike Hirshfeld during a recent interview with the media, along with whether backup goaltender Sandra Abstreiter accepts her contract offer, we do know what they were able to do in this year’s draft, so let’s check that out! FIRST ROUND, SECOND OVERALL: DANIELLE SERDACHNY, C, COLGATE Let’s just start out by saying Serdachny is exactly what this team needed. Finished with 61 points in 40 games last season with Colgate, scored the OT Gold winning goal with Canada in the World Championships. Adds strength up front, isn’t afraid to drive the net, adds grit to the lineup. SECOND ROUND, EIGHTH OVERALL: RONJA SAVOLAINEN, D, LULEA, SDHL Amassed 29 points in 35 games, including 11 goals on the season. A big defender (5’ 10”) who isn’t afraid to play tough and physical. One of the top defenders in the entire draft. THIRD ROUND, FOURTEENTH OVERALL: GWYNETH PHILIPS, G, NORTHEASTERN, NCAA The first goaltender to go in the draft and an absolutely great pickup. An amazing career at Northeastern, she finished last season with a 1.17 GAA and .955 SV% over 37 games this season. FOURTH ROUND, TWENTIETH OVERALL: STEPHANIE MARKOWSKI, LD, OHIO STATE, NCAA Ottawa continued their focus on strong defenders and players who are unafraid to get in the lanes, block shots which is something the team was missing last season. Finished with 27 points in 39 games. FIFTH ROUND, TWENTY SIXTH OVERALL: MANNON MCMAHON, C, MINNESOTA-DULUTH, NCAA Amassed 31 points in 39 games this past season and is a great middle six forward who can also bring a ton of character off the ice. Never missed a game throughout her entire collegiate career (173 consecutive games). SIXTH ROUND, THIRTY SECOND OVERALL: ANNA MEIXNER, F, BRYNÄS IF Finished with 24 points in 22 games with Brynäs IF as their assistant captain, Meixner was a player who could have gone higher in the draft and someone who will both challenge for a top six position while also being someone who can move up and down the lineup. SEVENTH ROUND, THIRTY EIGHTH OVERALL: MADELINE WETHINGTON, D, MINNESOTA, NCAA Another larger defender, clocking in at 5 '10”, Wethington has a big shot and is someone who’s tough to play against. She finished with 24 points in 39 games. With that, Ottawa has completed exactly what they had gone into this draft with the intention to do: add strength up front in players who are unafraid to drive the next and create secondary scoring opportunities, defenders who are big, strong and aren’t afraid to activate offensively and add a goaltender who will challenge Maschmeyer for top minutes, while providing a solid backup option for a long playoff run! While there are still signings to be had, in terms of the draft itself, overall, Ottawa walks away with this draft with a solid “A” rating, as they addressed the needs they so desperately desired after last season.
