Top prospects, what you need to know
Key takeaways
- The league's 12 clubs will have a record-high 235 players to choose from through their six-round event, with declarations from 128 forwards, 68 defenders and 40 goaltenders.
- The draft will consist of six rounds -- the full draft order is available here -- with 72 total players finding new professional homes.
- The PWHL has been busy in recent weeks announcing four brand-new clubs in Hamilton, Las Vegas, San Jose and its draft-host Detroit.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey won gold in the Olympics for Team USA together, and then a national championship for Wisconsin. Justin Berl/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images Kristen Shilton Jun 17, 2026, 07:00 AM ETClose Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions The Professional Women's Hockey League has four new expansion teams and will welcome its largest influx of talent ever when the draft takes place on June 17.
The league's 12 clubs will have a record-high 235 players to choose from through their six-round event, with declarations from 128 forwards, 68 defenders and 40 goaltenders. It'll be the PWHL's first-ever expansion team - the Vancouver Goldeneyes - holding the top pick in Wednesday's event at Fox Theatre in Detroit.
The draft will consist of six rounds -- the full draft order is available here -- with 72 total players finding new professional homes.