Breaking down the PWHL’s most interesting training camp invites
The PWHL season is closing in, and a number of notable names are looking to earn contracts next month.
On Wednesday, the league’s 12 teams released their training camp rosters ahead of the 2026-27 season. That gives fans a first look at the potential lineups for their favorite teams as they begin their trek for the Walter Cup.
Beyond the players who have already signed contracts for the coming campaign and those taken in the 2026 PWHL Draft, several players invited to camp still don’t have an established home for the coming year. While some of that has to do with teams being limited to 19 standard contracts before training camp, a few intriguing names will have to do some work to find a new deal.
Luisa Welcke (F, Boston Fleet), Lilli Welcke (F, Minnesota Frost)
I had to put these two together because, well, that’s how it’s always been…until now.
The Welcke twins have been joined at the hip their entire lives. Dating back to their days with Kurpfalz in the DFEL, the German natives have been on the same line, becoming key members of the German National Team for the past half-decade. However, the two have been split heading into camp, with Welcke staying in familiar territory with the Fleet, while Lilli looks to crack Minnesota’s roster.
The duo struggled to be premier offensive threats at Boston University, but have aspects to their game that can translate to the PWHL. The Welckes helped Germany qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where the squad reached the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group B.
Jessica Adolfsson (D, Detroit)
Adolfsson is looking to get back in the PWHL after spending the past two years entirely in the SDHL. The 28-year-old played just one game with the Ottawa Charge during the 2024-25 season, but failed to make even the reserve roster last fall. She returned to her native Sweden and had a solid year with SDE HF, posting seven points in 14 regular-season games. She even scored a goal for Sweden at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, being a key blueliner as the team made a stunning run to the semifinals. She hasn’t registered a point in four games with Linkoping HC so far this season.
Adolfsson is a two-time SDHL champion and has played for Sweden at three IIHF Women’s World Championships and two Winter Games. With a team in Detroit that has high expectations heading into its first year, she can provide some experience on the back end.
Sandra Abstreiter (G, Hamilton)
Probably no one is more shocked to see Sandra Abstreiter without a contract than yours truly. The German netminder has proven for several years that she can be an exceptional netminder in the PWHL. However, she just hasn’t been given a real opportunity to get extended playing time. Named the top goaltender at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, the 28-year-old saw the most playing time of her North American pro career last season, backing up Ann-Renee Debienne in Montreal.
Abstreiter was solid in her small sample size, going 3-2-0 in five games, with a 2.62 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage and one shutout. Yet, as the Victors went out and drafted Hailey MacLeod and signed Megan Warrener, Abstreiter still couldn’t find a suitor, even with four expansion teams. While Hamilton seems set to ride Kayle Osborne during their inaugural season, even with the fact that the team took Emma-Sofie Nordstrom in the draft, adding Abstreiter will give the new team in Southern Ontario an outstanding tandem.
Cap Summary
Draft Picks
Abby Cook (F, Las Vegas)
While Abby Cook might not be a “headliner,” the fact that she’s attending a training camp is noteworthy in itself.
The Kelowna, B.C. native was in the PWHL during its inaugural season, starting in Minnesota. However, she was a piece in the league’s first-ever trade, as she and Susanna Tapani were dealt to Boston as part of the return for Sophie Jaques. She scored two goals in 18 regular-season games and appeared in just two postseason contests as Boston reached the finals, only to lose to Minnesota.
After that, she stepped away from the game entirely. Citing mental struggles while coming up through the ranks of hockey, Cook decided to stay in Kelowna instead of attending training camp in 2024. She started coaching with Rink Hockey Academy and created her own brand, “Today the Label.” However, the opportunity to return to pro hockey has returned, with the Boston University product looking to crack the Vegas lineup.
Sarah Bujold (F, New York Sirens)
Bujold played in the PWHL during the league’s inaugural season with Montreal. However, she didn’t receive a new contract after the 2024 campaign and signed with Lulea HF of the SDHL. There, she regained her scoring touch that made a solid pro in Sweden several years ago, posting 39 points over the past two years. She joined the Sirens’ reserve list last year ahead of the roster freeze but didn’t sign a SPA.
With the Sirens retooling after a tough offseason, Bujold has a path to crack the team’s roster. The 30-year-old can log heavy minutes and be used in a variety of roles.
Rhea Hicks (F, San Jose)
At one point, Rhea Hicks was a solid scorer in the collegiate ranks. At Clarkson University, she showed promise after scoring 38 points during her junior season. However, the 22-year-old struggled to find the back of the net after a mass exodus, posting just seven goals and 18 points with the Golden Knights. She went undrafted back in June, but on a San Jose team that doesn’t have many notable offensive weapons, Hicks could show Troy Ryan that she can be a viable asset for the new franchise in the Bay Area.
Jessymaude Drapeau (F, Toronto Sceptres)
Drapeau is certainly an interesting name, and one that many south of the border don’t quite know enough about. However, the Concordia University star has been one of USports’ top scorers for the past few seasons. She capped off her five-year career with new highs in goals (22) and points (39) in just 24 games, leading the nation in scoring. She was a key part in helping the Stingers reach the national championship in four of her five seasons, including winning the USports championship in 2022 and 2024. She was also named to the USports Champion All-Star Team twice.
With the Sceptres needing offense after a horrendous 2025-26 season, maybe GM Gina Kingsbury gives the fellow Quebecer an honest look in camp.
Sara Hjalmarsson (F, Toronto Sceptres)
I was one of many who were excited to see Sara Hjalmarsson finally drafted into the PWHL, as the Scepters took her in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. It seemed like a long time coming for the Swedish playmaker to make the jump to the PWHL, having shown she can be a premier scorer in the SDHL and an important cog for the Swedish national team over the last several years. For a Toronto team that struggled to score last year, posting a league-low 51 goals and failing to make the playoffs, keeping a player like Hjalmarsson around is crucial, though I believe she would’ve already signed had their not been the offseason roster limit. The 28-year-old scored just three goals last season, but a year of experience under her belt could lead to her having a more productive season.
Hjalmarsson was one of Sweden’s top scorers in Milan this past February, finishing fourth on the team in scoring with five points in seven games.
Olivia Knowles (D, Vancouver Goldeneyes)
has been around the PWHL for a few years, having been with the Sceptres and Sirens. However, because of the immense depth on each team every year, it’s been hard for her to find a consistent spot in the lineup over the past two seasons. After appearing in 20 games with Toronto in 2024, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher struggled to find ice in New York, playing in just 12 games in 2024-25 before making just three appearances last season. However, for a Goldeneyes team desperate to have a solid second season, Knowles might be able to find a depth role out west.
Training camps are set to open up on Nov. 18, two days after the gold medal game of the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Each team will play two preseason games to prep for the regular season, which begins on Dec. 5.
