Goldeneyes sign Katie DeSa to one-year contract
One of the best goaltenders in college hockey over the past couple of years has signed her first pro deal.
On Tuesday, the Vancouver Goldeneyes announced that the team has signed goaltender Katie DeSa to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season.
DeSa was the Goldeneyes’ fourth selection in the 2026 PWHL Draft. Taken in the fourth round, 37th overall, the Pawtucket, Conn. native was the third goaltender chosen in the June event, behind Andrea Brandli (Detroit) and Tia Chan (San Jose).
The former Boston Jr. Eagle comes to the PWHL after a stellar career in the NCAA ranks. At Penn State University, she played a key role in helping the Atlantic Hockey America program become one of the top teams in the country. Along with players like Tessa Janecke, Grace Outwater and Kendall Butze, the Nittany Lions were able to shrug off the perceived notion that they were only good because they played in a weak conference. Along with winning a fourth straight conference championship, Penn State made it to the Women’s Frozen Four for the first time, ultimately losing to the eventual national champions, the Wisconsin Badgers, in overtime in the semifinals.
DeSa ended her senior season with an impressive record of 27-4-0, tied for third-most in the NCAA. Her 12 shutouts were the most in the country, and her 1.36 goals-against average was second only to Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton.
In 85 games across four seasons, DeSa posted a record of 64-13-3, with a 1.43 GAA, a .932 SV% and 25 shutouts.
The 22-year-old might have a tough time finding playing time on her new team. Veteran netminders Emerance Maschmeyer and Kristen Campbell are back for the franchise’s second season and are expected to be the ones coach Cara Gardner Morey relies on.
DeSa is the first of the Goldeneyes’ five draft picks to have put pen to paper this summer. With that, Vancouver has 17 players under contract for next season, leaving two more spots to fill before training camp, which begins in November.
