The 2026 PWHL Draft is loaded with talent. There hasn't been a PWHL entry draft that will impact the level of play in the league as significantly as the 2026 class to date. While Caroline Harvey is the consensus top player available, the presence of players like Laila Edwards, Abbey Murphy, and Tessa Janecke at the top, followed by an impressive cohort of NCAA stars and Europeans will make this a draft to remember. Here's a very early look at The Hockey News' first 2026 PWHL Draft rankings. Due to the large group of International players on expiring contracts and the inconsistent nature of declarations from European players, for the first time we are separating draft rankings into North American and International. If the PWHL wants to expand again, this would be the season as this draft is the deepest and most talented the league has ever welcomed. The Hockey News updates our draft rankings monthly from September to the weeks leading up to the draft in June culminating with a Top 100 ranking each season. Next month the rankings will expand to a top 50 in North America, and top 30 Internationally. NORTH AMERICAN PWHL DRAFT RANKINGS 1. CAROLINE HARVEY, D, WISCONSIN There is no player more dynamic who can make a 200-foot impact in this draft. Alongside Renata Fast, it's a two-player conversation for best defender on the planet, and the second player in that conversation is Caroline Harvey. She's physical, skilled, can score, and controls games singlehandedly. 2. LAILA EDWARDS, F, WISCONSIN Edwards is such a unique combination of size and versatility, that she is a player who can impact a game and team in so many ways. After winning MVP at the 2024 World Championships as a power forward, Edwards played in USA's top four defensive group in 2025 helping her team win gold. One item few can overlook with Edwards is her size, but when you see her soft hands and playmaking it takes it to another level. Above it all, there's almost no one in the sport who can shoot like she does. 3. ABBEY MURPHY, F, MINNESOTA Had Murphy declared for the 2025 PWHL Draft, she would have gone first overall. It's hard to imagine she'll usurp Harvey, but she could go second overall. Murphy is fast, has a fantastic shot, and perhaps the element of her game she's best known for is her boundary straddling physicality. She plays the game on the edge, pesters opponents, and then takes full advantage of the lapses she creates. She's going to thrive in the PWHL. 4. TESSA JANECKE, F, PENN STATE While Janecke won't get the talk of the trio above, she could climb into their midst. Even if she doesn't, Janecke is an intelligent two-way force who uses her physicality and dynamic skill set to generate offense. At Penn State, she's been the focal point, and utilized that responsibility to grow as a player. She scored the golden goal for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships, and will make an immediate impact in the PWHL. 5. LACEY EDEN, F, WISCONSIN Few can do what Eden will in the PWHL. She's a two-way player who has thrived as a checking line forward with Team USA. She's relentless on the puck and has good speed. In the NCAA, Eden does more still as one of the top scorers in the nation on powerhouse Wisconsin. She can be a top six forward, or a middle six energy player who contributes secondary offense and kills penalties. That's welcomed versatility. 6. KIRSTEN SIMMS, F, WISCONSIN There isn't another forward in NCAA women's hockey who is as creative as Simms. Her heel to heel lateral skating keeps her open to the play, helps her protect the puck, and allows her to change the direction of play instantaneously. She could slide a little based on positional need, and there will be a little consideration on the physical side, but Simms is a player who will lift fans from their seat leaving only their jaws on the floor and the lingering word of 'wow' in the air. 7. EMMA PESCHEL, D, OHIO STATE Introducing a big, puck moving blueliner to your lineup is something coaches dream of. No matter where Peschel lands in the draft, she'll provide exactly that. With the wealth of blueliners in USA Hockey's system, Peschel has stayed off the radar a little, but her upside is immense. 8. NELLI LAITINEN, D, MINNESOTA Finland's top defender, Laitinen could already be on a second pairing in the PWHL playing key minutes on both sides of the puck. She's a good decision maker, can handle tough assignments, and will help a PWHL team in transition. 9. ISSY WUNDER, F, PRINCETON For the casual women's hockey fan, this is going to be a moment of 'who?' But not for long. It's shocking Wunder hasn't made her way into the conversation for Canada's senior national team...yet. The 5-foot-11 forward scored 26 goals last season and finished 11th in the nation in scoring. She did that in the absence of Sarah Fillier at Princeton. There are bigger names available, but on potential alone, Wunder belongs in the conversation at this point as a potential first round pick. 10. SARAH PAUL, F, MINNESOTA A pure goal scorer who loves to shoot the puck. Her release is potent and she can pick corners you didn't know were open. Paul has soft hands and will be a power play specialist. Sometimes there's a better option, but Paul is always a shoot first player. She'll need to make safer plays and work on getting her shot off facing bigger, faster, and more experienced checking. Could return for one more season and declare in 2027. 11. SYDNEY MORROW D, MINNESOTA PWHL teams remain desperate for high end defenders and Morrow will be another in that list ready to step in and contribute. She has flirted with USA's national team serving as an alternate at the 2024 Worlds, and her offensive abilities are obvious. There's still some rounding out to be had to make her the full package, but Morrow is an impact defender. 12. ELYSSA BIEDERMAN, F, COLGATE Small but mighty. Few play with the pace and skill of Biederman. She sees the ice well, fearlessly engages in puck battles, and can execute deceptive plays at top speed. Can play a checking role using her skating and tenacious puck pursuit. 13. GRACE DWYER, D, CORNELL Solid on both sides of the puck, Dwyer doesn't shy away from the physical game, gets pucks through traffic to generate chances, and plays her gaps well. 14. VIVIAN JUNGELS, D, WISCONSIN A smooth puck moving defender who sometimes flies under the radar on a talented Wisconsin team, but is always contributing. Uses her feet to defend, and transitions pucks quickly. 15. SLOANE MATTHEWS, F, OHIO STATE A strong two-way forward who checks well, blocks shots, and does the little things in the offensive zone to force turnovers and generate chances. 16. TOVA HENDERSON, D, MINNESOTA-DULUTH Solid defensive blueliner who showed offensive growth last season with Minnesota-Duluth earning a Third Team WCHA nod. She looked consistent for Canada's national development team and UMD has become known for producing solid pros. 17. SARA SWIDERSKI, D, OHIO STATE There's a lot of fine tuning still to be done in Swiderski's game, but there's also obvious upside. Proficient just about everywhere on the ice. 18. JOSEFIN BOUVENG, F, MINNESOTA Saw a dip in production, but she's got the tools. Bouveng still can work on the power of her game including her opening strides, but with the puck on her stick, she gets the job done. She should put up some eye popping numbers with Murphy, Paul, and co in Minnesota. 19. THEA JOHANSSON, F, MINNESOTA-DULUTH She's got great separation speed and can be creative with the puck. Moving to the WCHA with UMD this season should spark important growth in her game. 20. AVI ADAM, F, CORNELL There's a lot to like about Adams' game. It will translate well to the PWHL as she can handle tight checking, physical hockey. Likely a middle to bottom six forward, but her game could blossom offensively as she plays a pro style. 21. REICHEN KIRCHMAIR, F, PROVIDENCE The reigning Hockey East Player of the Year, Kirchmair has flown under the radar, but for a team looking to add offensive upside, she certainly brings plenty. 22. ALYSSA REGALADO, D, CORNELL Coming from a Cornell program reliably producing well tuned defenders, Regalado moves well, makes good decisions with the puck. She's not going to bring a lot of flash, but she is still getting better and could be a consistent defender for years to come. 23. MARYKATE O'BRIEN, F, MINNESOTA-DULUTH Plunking O'Brien into a middle or bottom six will make a PWHL team better. Full stop. She's a tough checking competitor who does the little things right and goes to the tough areas. She can be opportunistic offensively looking like she's just wearing down her opponents and all of a sudden she's got the puck on her stick with room to attack. 24. CASEY BORGIEL, D, COLGATE The move from Holy Cross to Colgate last year allowed Borgiel to show her game had a whole different level that had yet to be seen in the NCAA. She's a solid distributor of the puck, and how high she trends in this draft will depend on if she can repeat, or improve on, her numbers from last year. 25. JULES CONSTANTINOPLE, D, NORTHEASTERN Consistent, defends well taking away time and space and using good angles to the puck. Constantinople has also shown offensive growth in each season with Northeastern. She could turn into a sneaky-good pick up. 26. BROOKE DISHER, D, OHIO STATE She wasn't picked for Canada's national development team, but don't read too much into that. The Ohio State blueliner is going to be a good pro. 27. RHEA HICKS, F, CLARKSON 28. JAMIE NELSON, F, MINNESOTA 29. LILY SHANNON, F, NORTHEASTERN 30. MICHELLE PASIECHYNK, G, BOSTON UNIVERSITY NORTH AMERICAN WATCH LIST - Sena Catterall, F, Clarkson - Emerson O’Leary, F, Princeton - Katelyn Roberts, F, Penn State - Carina DiAntonio, F, Yale - Madelyn Christian, F, Penn State - Jordan Ray, F, Yale - Maddie Kaiser, F, Minnesota - Grace Elliot, F, British Columbia - Sara Stewart, F, Colgate - Kendall Butze, D, Penn State - Megan McKay, D, Clarkson - McKenna Van Gelder, F, Cornell - Ashley Messier, D, Minnesota-Duluth - JoJo Chobak, G, St. Cloud State - Katie DeSa, G, Penn State - Hailey MacLeod, G, Ohio State - Tia Chan, G, UConn - Alexis Petford, F, Colgate - Taylor Otremba, F, Minnesota State - Whitney Tuttle, F, Minnesota State - Jade Iginla, F, Brown - Danielle Burgen, F, Minnesota-Duluth - Grace Campbell, G, Boston College - Emma-Sofie Nordström, G, St. Lawrence - Sydney Healey, F, Boston University - Madison Chantler, F, Clarkson - Stephanie Bourque, D, Union College - Leah Stecker, D, Penn State - Luisa Welcke, F, Boston University - Lilli Welcke, F, Boston University - Jaden Bogden, F, Northeastern - Marianne Picard, F, Wisconsin - India McDadi, F, Brown - Jane Kuehl, F, Princeton - Clara Yuhn, F, Boston University INTERNATIONAL PWHL DRAFT RANKINGS The European draft class is always up in the air, but this season, the bulk of Europe's top players are on expiring contracts, and with the Olympics set to be completed in February, there is an opening for the PWHL to bring over more players. Here is a look at the top players competing in Europe and and Asia eligible for the 2026 PWHL Draft 1. LARA STALDER, F, EV ZUG If Stalder decides to leave Switzerland, she's a top five pick. An elite forward capable of joining a top six in the PWHL, Stalder would already be a household name in the league had she not committed to growing the women's game in her native Switzerland. Her game is a match for this league has her physical edge has always been a calling card. 2. PETRA NIEMINEN, F, LULEA Similar to Stalder, Nieminen's game is tailor made for the PWHL. She's physical, plays a power forward game, and has proven her ability at every level, including internationally with Finland. It's a question of declaration, not ability. 3. VIIVI VAINIKKA, F, BRYNAS Viivi Vainikka wants to play in this league. Most thought she'd be entering the draft this year, but inevitably, she chose to return to Sweden for the Olympic year. The young forward is fast, can handle the physical game, and would look good in a second line role in the league. 4. ELISA HOLOPAINEN, F, FROLUNDA Plenty of skill. A great shooter. There will be question marks if she can play the physical game in smaller spaces. 5. SANNI RANTALA, D, FROLUNDA A top four stalwart for Team Finland. Rantala is one of the top blueliners in Europe and should be able to transition seamlessly to the pros. She has more upside than others. 6. NADIA MATTIVI, D, LULEA Last year won the SDHL's Defender of the Year as a rookie after captaining Boston University the season before. She'll be at the Olympics with Italy which is where a lot of PWHL scouts will be watching closely. If Lulea's season ended in time, Mattivi is a PWHL free agent and could technically sign without re-entering the draft. 7. JENNINA NYLUND, F, BRYNAS There's no doubt Nylund could step into a role with a PWHL team immediately. She's mature, doesn't shy away from physical play, has North American experience in the NCAA, and is a staple on Finland's national team. Good all-around addition. 8. SARA CAJANOVA, D, BRYNAS She's one of Czechia's most consistent blueliners internationally, and is still getting better. At only 22, Cajanova has experience playing against the best on the planet at the World Championships, and has never looked out of place. She's mobile, and defends well with her positioning. 9. ANDREA BRANDLI, G, FROLUNDA She's arguably the best goalie in the world playing outside North America, and the best pro goaltender not in the PWHL. Switzerland's starter is calm in her crease. The only thing that's kept Brandli from coming to North America to date is the fact she wants to play as much as possible. 10. ESTELLE DUVIN, F, SC BERN A skilled scorer with an abundance of international experience, Duvin could be a hidden gem in the right situation in North America. She's the reigning back-to-back MVP in Switzerland's PostFinance Women's League. 11. MARIA BATALOVA, D, AGIDEL UFA The ZhHL's Defender of the Year in 2025, Batalova is a 29-year-old defender who likes to join the play and is a strong distributor of the puck. She's led the Russian league in assists by a defender four times and twice in points, including last season recording 14 goals and 40 points in 42 games. 12. MICHELA PEJZLOVA, F, AMBRI PIOTTI A veteran who remains one of Czechia's most consistent threats. Pejzlova lit up her time in the NCAA, and has put up impressive numbers, albeit in weaker leagues, in Finland and Switzerland. Pejzlova might be a player who chooses to never come to the PWHL, but if she does, she'll add experience to a middle six. 13. HANNA THUVIK, F, BRYNAS Plenty of speed and compete, Thuvik is still only 23, but she's proven herself a consistent threat in the SDHL and has emerged as one of Sweden's top players internationally. 14. LINDSAY AGNEW, D, LINKOPING One of the players who went to Europe after captaining Canada's U-18 national team, winning an NCAA title with Minnesota-Duluth, and captaining Boston College, at a time when pro options were limited. She's been a steady defensive presence for years and this year will captain Linkoping. 15. NINA PIROGOVA, D, SAKHALIN YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK The 5-foot-8 two-way defender can transport the puck and has a good shot. She's been one of Russia's top scoring blueliners since first representing Russia internationally at 16. Now 26, she tied for the ZhHL defensive scoring lead last season with 40 points in 42 games. 16. VALERIA IVANOVA, F DYNAMO-NEVA ST. PETERSBURG The 5-foot-10 veteran has the size, and international experience having played with Russia's senior national team since 2013. Ivanova is a perennial Russian All-Star. She skates well, has good puck protection, and likes to get to the middle of the ice upon entry where she often unleashes a strong shot. 17. SOFIE LUNDIN, F, FROLUNDA Since leaving Ohio State to return to Sweden, Lundin's game has taken off. The question mark remains, however, of whether her struggles at Ohio State were simply due to being buried deeper on a strong roster that has since seen 13 players selected in the PWHL Draft, a number that will grow by at least four more over the next two years, or challenges with the North American game. She's worth a shot. 18. ANNA SHIBANOVA, D, AGIDEL UFA The veteran first represented Russia internationally more than a decade ago and has been a stalwart on the Russian blueline since. A six-time All-Star in the ZhHL, Shibanova is one of a handful of experienced defenders who could contribute with upside in the PWHL. 19. JENNI HIIRIKOSKI, D, LULEA If there were a guarantee on Hiirikoski's health, she'd skyrocket up this list even though she'd be 39 by the time she could step foot in the PWHL. Hiirikoski is destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame as the most decorated international defender of all-time. One season in the PWHL would be an outstanding cherry on top, but it feels less likely now. 20. ELIN SVENSSON, F, BRYNAS At 5-foot-10, she has the size and is becoming more bullish in her game as a power forward. She's only 23 and has an option for an extra season on her contract that could leave her in Sweden for another season, which wouldn't be the worst thing as she continues to develop. 21. JULIA LIIKALA, F, AMBRI PIOTTI One of Finland's top players and a national team veteran, Liikala will hopefully move to Sweden in the coming seasons to play against stronger competition. She's skilled and has produced everywhere she's gone. 22. SYDNEY PEDERSEN, D, MODO A mobile defender who uses her skating to not only defend, but to quickly transition pucks up ice or sink from the blueline to join the attack. Pederson finished her career at Mercyhust last season and is headed to Sweden, but is one to watch to return next year. 23. EMILIA VESA, F, FROLUNDA Vesa isn't going to light up the North American score sheet, but she will provide size, experience, and secondary contributions. She's undervalued for how she plays the game in Europe, and it could actually translate to more for her in the PWHL. 24. LINNÉA JOHANSSON, F, LULEA The 23-year-old plays with pace and has been a consistent player in the SDHL, and continues to emerge internationally having represented Sweden at the Olympics and World Championships. 25. NEENA BRICK, F, MODO Brick started last season as a lock for a PWHL Draft position. She struggled a bit seeing her numbers fall off, but had she declared, still would have garnered interest. Her rookie season in Europe will be worth watching before the Colgate alumni sets a course for the PWHL. 2026 PWHL DRAFT WATCH LIST - Rahel Enzler, F, EV Zug - Emily Nix, F, Frolunda - Teghan Inglis, D, HV71 - Lara Christen, SC Bern - Ida Kuoppala, F, Skelleftea - Lauren Bellefontaine, F, Farjestad - Nicole Vallario, D, EV Zug - Sinja Leeman, F, SC Bern - Clara Rozier, F, SC Bern - Annika Fazokas, D, EV Zug - Jenna Goodwin, F, Frolunda - Sarah Marchand, F, MoDo - Alyssa McLeod, F, MoDo - Kaitlin Jockins, F, Djurgardens - Sara Boucher, F, Rogle - Julie Gough, F, Farjestad - Brette Pettet, F, Djurgardens - Kennedy Bobyck, F, HV71 - Rachel Weiss, F, HV71 - Madie Leidt, F, Linkoping - Charli Kettyle, D, Lulea - Melissa Jefferies, D, Frolunda - Adriana Van de Leest, D, HV71 - Sophie Helgeson, D, Linkoping - Rae Breton, D, Farjestad - Ena Nystrom, G, Bynas - Stephanie Neatby, G, HV71 - Yelizaveta Shkalyova, F, Tornado Dmitrov - Darya Gredzen, G, Biryusa Krasnoyarsk - Valeria Tarakanova, G, Agidel Ufa - Valeria Merkusheva, G, Tornado Dmitrov - Jaycee Magwood, F, Lulea - Gabby Jones, F, SDE - Kayleigh Hamers, D, SDE - Ronja Hark, D, Memmingen - Carina Strobel, D, Memmingen - Daria Gleißner, D, Memmingen Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey celebrate a goal - © Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bd09ed4b-11b0-4eb9-845b-df5dad73af67.jpeg] Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey celebrate a goal - © Dave Kallmann /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
