Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise Detroit announced Tuesday that it has inked defender Cayla Barnes and forward Hannah Bilka to multi‑year contracts, rounding out the core of its debut roster for the 2026‑27 season.
A Strategic Move for Detroit’s Inaugural Season
Barnes, a three‑time Olympian who has collected two gold medals and a silver on the Olympic stage, as well as three golds at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, joins the team after a standout season with Seattle Torrent in 2025‑26, where she appeared in 30 games and served as alternate captain.
The 28‑year‑old signed a three‑year deal that runs through the 2028‑29 campaign, a commitment that reflects the club’s intent to build a sustainable competitive foundation from day one.
Bilka, the 24‑year‑old forward who captured Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games and earned All‑Star honors, previously logged 14 games for Seattle Torrent before a mid‑season injury sidelined her. She has also excelled collegiately at Boston College and Ohio State, bringing a blend of speed and playmaking to Detroit’s forward lines.
Both players have deep roots in the collegiate system, having faced off in the NCAA tournament during their respective stints at Boston College and Ohio State, adding a narrative of rivalry that could fuel early fan interest.
The signings are part of Phase 2 of the PWHL Expansion Player Distribution Process, which permits expansion teams to lock in up to five players before the inaugural draft. Detroit’s acquisition of Barnes and Bilka signals a strategic focus on experience and international pedigree.
With the league now comprising twelve franchises, including powerhouses such as Montréal Victoire and Boston Fleet, the addition of high‑profile talent in Detroit is expected to raise the overall competitiveness and visibility of women’s professional hockey.
Fans in Michigan and across the country will get their first glimpse of the new roster when the team opens its home schedule later this fall, marking a milestone for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s growth trajectory.