A Historic Draft Class
The 2026 Professional Women's Hockey League Draft has already etched its name into the record books, as four members of the Yale Bulldogs' women's ice hockey team found their names called across the conference's newest rosters.
Jordan Ray, a senior forward who capped her collegiate career with a 50‑point season, became the highest‑drafted player in Yale history when the Ottawa Charge selected her 11th overall in the second round, also marking the first time a Florida native has been chosen in the PWHL Draft.
Carina DiAntonio, another senior forward, followed at 31st overall to the New York Sirens, joining a lineage that now includes three Bulldogs drafted by the franchise, while her 63 career goals place her second in Yale's all‑time list.
Defensive stalwart Gracie Gilkyson, known for her two‑way play, was picked in the fifth round by the Seattle Torrent, rounding out a defensive core that helped the Bulldogs capture the ECAC regular‑season title and advance to the NCAA Regional Finals.
Physical forward Naomi Boucher, a sixth‑round selection by the New York Sirens, brings a gritty presence that complemented a senior class that posted a combined 145 points and set multiple program records.
The quartet's achievements underscore a watershed moment for the program, as the Bulldogs' 2025‑26 campaign not only secured an ECAC championship but also delivered the school's deepest NCAA run to date, a feat that resonates beyond the campus.
With the draft now in the rearview, each player will embark on a professional journey that could reshape the competitive landscape of the PWHL, while Yale looks to build on its recent successes and maintain its upward trajectory.