The 2026 Premier Women’s Hockey League draft turned into a celebration of Boston University’s rising profile in women’s ice hockey. Three Terriers — Andrea Brändli, Sydney Healey and Maeve Kelly — were chosen by distinct franchises, underscoring the program’s depth and the league’s expanding reach.
A historic haul for the Terriers
For Boston University, the draft represented more than individual contracts; it was a validation of a recruiting model that has steadily produced elite talent. The selections also marked the first time the university has seen three players drafted in a single year, a milestone that resonated across the collegiate hockey community.
Andrea Brändli, the highest‑drafted Terrier since the league’s inception, will wear the colors of PWHL Detroit. The Swiss net‑minder, who captured bronze at the 2026 Winter Olympics, arrives as the franchise’s inaugural draft pick, a testament to the team’s ambition to build from the ground up.
Sydney Healey, a sixth‑round selection by PWHL Las Vegas, brings a prolific senior season that yielded 18 goals and 11 assists for a total of 29 points. Her overtime game‑winner in the Hockey East title game last year remains a defining moment for the Terriers, and her professional debut promises to add a dynamic edge to the Las Vegas attack.
Maeve Kelly, drafted by the Boston Fleet, becomes the organization’s first Terrier selection and the program’s first defensive prospect to be chosen in the PWHL. Kelly’s nine points — one goal and eight assists — paired with 29 blocked shots last season illustrate a defensive versatility that could prove pivotal for the Fleet’s blue‑line.
Looking ahead
As the new season approaches, the three Terriers will join training camps that blend collegiate experience with professional intensity. Their transitions reflect a broader trend of NCAA talent moving directly into the PWHL, a shift that could reshape the competitive landscape and inspire future recruits.