Laila Edwards has stepped forward as USA Hockey's newest star. She discusses her breakout, as do teammates Taylor Heise and Caroline Havey Talent will come to the PWHL in waves until the pool is so full, it overflows and the league is forced to expand. Following next season's draft, there will be no players who made contract commitments prior to the launch of the PWHL without the option to enter the draft. And the group incoming will add another handful of impact players to each team. But the depth of women's hockey talent continues to grow not only in North America, but globally. Here's a look at some of the top names to watch across the next five PWHL Drafts. 2025 PWHL DRAFT Next year's PWHL Draft is 3-4 rounds deep [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/early-look-at-the-top-prospects-for-the-2025-pwhl-draft] of players who could immediately step into lineups. It will push another group of veterans into retirement, and could set the stage for some interesting contracts with these players entering the league only one year away from the ability to choose their own team and get a significant pay bump. There are national team players from almost every top nation ready to make the jump, and that's an exciting prospect. 1. undefined 2. undefined 3. undefined 4. undefined 5. undefined 6. undefined 7. undefined 8. undefined 9. undefined 10. undefined 11. undefined 12. undefined 13. undefined 14. undefined 15. undefined Names To Watch: Emma Seitz(D, 2000, MoDo), Michelle Karvinen (F, 1990, Frolunda / Team Finland), Kiara Zanon (F, 2002, Ohio State), Jenna Buglioni (F, 2002, Ohio State), Vita Ponyatovskaya (D, 2003, Yale), Kendall Cooper (D, 2002, Quinnipiac), Michelle Pasiechnyk (G, 2002, Clarkson), Sanni Ahola, G, 2000 (St. Cloud / Team Finland), Andrea Bandli (G, 1997, MoDo), Sydney Pederson (D, 2003, Mercyhurst), Morgan Neitzke (F, 2003, Lindenwood), Ella Huber (F, 2002, Minnesota), Ashley Messier (D, 2002, Cornell), Emma Gentry (F, 2002, St. Cloud State), Nina Jobst-Smith (D, 2001, Minnesota-Duluth / Team Germany), Jenni Hiirikoski (D, 1987, Lulea / Team Finland), Emma Nordin (F, 1991, Lulea), Andrea Dalen (F, 1992, Frolunda / Team Norway), Jenniina Nylund (F, 1999, Brynas / Team Finland), Estelle Duvin (F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France), Ena Nystrom (G, 2000, Brynas / Team Norway), Clara Rozier (F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France), Maggy Burbidge (F, 2001, HC Fribourg-Gottéron), Haruka Toko (F, 1997, Linkoping / Team Japan), Hannah Murphy (G, 2003, Colgate), Sarah Wozniewicz (F, 2003, Wisconsin), Hanna Baskin (D, 2003, Minnesota-Duluth), Riley Brengman (D, 2002, Ohio State), Lily Delianedis (F, 2001, Cornell), Skylar Irving (F, 2002, Northeastern) 2026 PWHL DRAFT The first round of this draft class will be game changing. Although they're seasons away, this group already includes more than a round of prospects who could step into the PWHL today. 1. undefined 2. undefined 3. undefined 4. undefined 5. undefined 6. undefined 7. undefined 8. undefined 9. undefined 10. undefined 11. undefined 12. undefined 13. undefined 14. undefined 15. undefined Names to watch: Lara Stalder, Thea Johansson, Alexis Petford, Tereza Radova, Emerson O'Leary, Katelyn Roberts, Sloane Matthews, Taylor Otremba, Lily Shannon, Lilli Welcke, Luisa Welcke, Reichen Kirchmair, Lara Beecher, Alyssa Regaldo, Hailey MacLeod, Sarah Paul, Avi Adam, Vivian Jungels 2027 PWHL DRAFT Looking into the future, a lot can change between now and the 2027 Draft, but players like Dunne, Pais, Amos, and Trnkova are clear prospects. Where this draft will truly develop in strength is rounds 2-4, as it looks like this could turn into a deep class. Bergmann and Gascon will headline a group of goaltenders that also includes Sedona Blair and Uma Corniea. 1. undefined 2. undefined 3. undefined 4. undefined 5. undefined 6. undefined 7. undefined 8. undefined 9. undefined 10. undefined 11. undefined 12. undefined 13. undefined 14. undefined 15. undefined Names To Watch: Madeline Palumbo, Avery Pickering, Kalen Lamarche, Keira Hurry, Sedona Blair, Molly Jordan, Ella Boerger, Jordan Baxter, Gabrielle Kim, Ellah Hause, Rylee Bartz, Ava McNaughton 2028 PWHL DRAFT The excitement surrounding this draft class will grow and grow, headlined by Canadian record holders Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer, smooth Swedish defender Mira Jungaker, and big American Maggie Scannell. 1. undefined 2. undefined 3. undefined 4. undefined 5. undefined 6. undefined 7. undefined 8. undefined 9. undefined 10. undefined 11. undefined 12. undefined 13. undefined 14. undefined 15. undefined Names to watch: Ayla Puppe, Rose Dwyer, Addison Spitz, Jenna Smellie, Brooklyn Nimegeers, Alanna Devlin, Jordyn Petrie, Makayla Watson, Rylan Haslam.
