Harvey, Murphy headline 2026 PWHL Draft declaration list
If you had any doubts that the 2026 PWHL Draft was going to be the biggest the league has ever seen, get ready to have your mind blown.
On Tuesday, the league released the declaration list for this year’s draft. A record 235 athletes submitted their names to be taken in this year’s event.
At the head of the list is Wisconsin Badgers defender Caroline Harvey. The all-world defender capped off an incredible college career by winning a third NCAA Championship, taking home the Patty Kazmaier Award as well. On top of that, she was a key piece in helping the United States win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, being named the tournament’s top defender and most valuable player.
Harvey is one of five players from that Team USA squad who are entering this year’s draft. One of those players is University of Minnesota star Abbey Murphy. One of the most prolific scorers in college hockey for the past few seasons, being named one of the finalists for the Patty Kazmaier this season, and has solidified herself as one of the top players in women’s hockey in general with her play on the international stage.
Fellow Patty Kaz finalist Tessa Janecke, as well as Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms, also took home gold in Milan. In total, 23 players competed at the Winter Games this past February hope to hear their names called next month, including Thea Johnasson and Josefin Bouveng from Sweden.
Arguably the biggest name coming out of Europe is goaltender Andrea Brändli. The 28-year-old netminder has been a mainstay on the Swiss National Team for several years, but has had to hold off on joining the PWHL as she had to wait out her contract with Frolunda HC of the SDHL. In February, she was the key piece in helping Switzerland win bronze for the second time in the country’s history and was named the best netminder in the tournament.
There are a few surprising names on the list. The biggest is Meghan Agosta. The three-time Olympic gold medalist hasn’t played since helping Canada take home the gold in PyeongChang in 2018. Even at 39, she’s looking to give pro hockey one last kick at the can. Agosta is the fourth all-time leading scorer in NCAA hockey history and eighth all-time in women’s Olympic hockey scoring.
Elisa Holopainen, a staple of the Finnish National Team, is taking a crack at the North American pro name as well.
The 2026 PWHL Draft will take place at the historic Fox Theatre in Detroit, home of one of the league’s newest franchises, on June 17. The Vancouver Goldeneyes earned the No. 1 pick, though the draft format, including the remaining draft order, has yet to be announced.