U.S. Olympic Gold Team Stars Lead Historic PWHL Draft Class

Women's professional hockey is experiencing a massive surge, and the proof arrives June 17 when the PWHL holds its most talent-packed draft ever.

The league announced that 235 players have declared for the upcoming draft, including 23 who competed at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February. Leading the pack is 23-year-old defender Caroline Harvey, who just wrapped a historic season by winning Olympic gold with Team USA, leading the University of Wisconsin to its second straight NCAA championship, and taking home both tournaments' MVP awards plus the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

Harvey won't be alone among her Olympic teammates making the jump to professional hockey. Four other U.S. gold medalists are expected to be top picks, including forwards Abbey Murphy and Tessa Janecke, along with Wisconsin teammates Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms.

The talent isn't just American. Players from 14 countries total have declared, including standouts from Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland's goalie duo of Andrea Braendli and Saskia Maurer, who are leaving European leagues to compete in North America.

The Ripple Effect

The wave of talent is reshaping professional women's hockey in real time. The league announced Detroit as its first expansion city and will reveal additional new franchises in the coming days, growing from its current setup to potentially 12 teams next season.

That expansion means more roster spots, more cities invested in women's hockey, and more opportunities for players who previously had limited professional options. Vancouver holds the coveted first overall pick, followed by Seattle, New York, and Toronto.

The draft class even includes inspiring comeback stories like 39-year-old Meghan Agosta, a four-time Canadian Olympian seeking to resume her playing career. Her presence alongside fresh college stars shows the depth of talent now choosing to play professionally rather than hanging up their skates after the Olympics or college careers.

Since the PWHL's inaugural season tipped off in 2023 with 268 draft prospects, the league has proven that professional women's hockey can thrive with proper support and investment.

The June 17 draft in Detroit will transform these declarations into reality, filling rosters across a rapidly expanding league that's finally giving elite female hockey players the professional home they've long deserved.