The 2026 Professional Women's Hockey League Draft turned into a showcase of Wisconsin’s rising talent, with five former Badgers hearing their names called in the opening round.
Harvey shatters barriers
Caroline Harvey became the first-ever Badger defender to be selected first overall, a milestone that underscored both her individual dominance and the program’s defensive resurgence. She capped her collegiate career with a record 64‑point single season and finished with 201 points, while also earning Olympic gold with Team USA and being named MVP and the 2026 IIHF Female Player of the Year.
Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to represent the U.S. women's senior national team, went fourth overall to San Jose after a career that ended with 199 points and a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Games, where she also earned a spot on the Media All‑Star Team. Lacey Eden, who led the nation in scoring with 77 points and amassed 245 career points, was drafted fifth by Las Vegas after capturing two IIHF Women's World Championship titles. Kirsten Simms, who scored her 100th career goal in overtime during the national semifinal, finished with 238 points that tie for fifth in program history and made her Olympic debut in Beijing. Vivian Jungels, Wisconsin’s all‑time plus/minus leader at +218, was chosen eleventh by Ottawa after contributing 75 points and ranking among the top defensemen in blocked shots.
A league in ascent
The 2026‑27 season will mark the PWHL’s fourth year as a professional circuit, a timeline that has already attracted eighteen Badgers across the league in the 2025‑26 campaign. With a growing roster of alumni moving to the pro ranks, the Badgers’ impact extends beyond individual contracts, signaling a broader shift in the visibility and competitiveness of women’s hockey.
As the newly drafted players report to their respective clubs in Vancouver, San Jose, Las Vegas, Toronto and Ottawa, they carry with them the expectations of a program that has become synonymous with elite development. Their journeys will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike, not only for the skill they bring but for the doors they open for the next generation of collegiate stars.