PWHL's annual draft set to take place in Ottawa this June, but big question looms
American forward Casey O’Brien touted as potential first-overall pick
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This year’s PWHL draft is sure to rock.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced on Tuesday that its third draft will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa on June 24.
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PWHL's annual draft set to take place in Ottawa this June, but big question looms Back to video
But while the date and location has been set for the annual player selection event, a few questions remain — including how many teams will be taking part.
The six teams currently in the league are on a break for the women’s world championship in Czechia before wrapping up the regular season and then seeing the top four compete in the playoffs. But, the league has yet to announce a decision on whether it will be expanding this off-season, potentially adding one or two more franchises.
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This past season, the PWHL’s six teams — based in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, New York and Minnesota — competed in several neutral-site games across North America as part of the “Takeover Tour.”
The league hosted games in nine new cities – Seattle, Vancouver, Denver, Quebec City, Edmonton, Buffalo, Raleigh, Detroit and St. Louis – with several aiming to claim the next expansion franchise in the rising league.
While the draft order is yet to be set, University of Wisconsin’s Casey O’Brien is the current front-runner to be the first pick.
According to the Associated Press, the 23-year-old Massachusetts native is coming off winning her third national title with the Badgers and was named this season’s Patty Kazmaier Award winner.
O’Brien led the NCAA with 88 points (26 goals, 62 assists), and set a school record with 274 career points (97 goals, 177 assists) in 182 games.
Among the top Canadian players who have thrown their hats in the ring, Boston College captain Abby Newhook of St. John’s, N.L., Clarkson University forward Anne Cherkowski of Coldstream, B.C., Clarkson defender Nicole Gosling of London, Ont., and Colgate goaltender Hannah Murphy of Kingston, Ont., are among the most highly rated prospects.
In the 2024 PWHL draft, the New York Sirens took Canadian forward Sarah Fillier first overall while the Ottawa Charge selected Danielle Serdachny second.
While the league has made ground-breaking advances in women’s sports on the ice, this event will be another first, too, as the draft will be the first-ever event held at the brand new Hard Rock Live theatre venue — part of a $350-million construction and expansion project.
Upper Deck will be the presenting partner of the 2025 draft, with the trading card company expanding its relationship with the league since teaming up in March 2024.
Players who wish to enter the draft have until May 8 to declare their eligibility. The PWHL website notes that additional details regarding the draft, including format and ticketing information, will be shared in the coming weeks.
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