The 2026 Premier Women’s Hockey League draft turned heads as a record 31 American players were selected, underscoring the United States’ growing dominance in the sport.
At the top of the list, Olympic gold‑medalist Caroline Harvey became the first overall pick, chosen by the Vancouver Goldeneyes, marking only the second time an American has held that spot, following Taylor Heise in 2023.
The first round was a showcase of U.S. talent, with nine Americans drafted, including Abbey Murphy to the Seattle Torrent, Tessa Janecke to PWHL Las Vegas, Laila Edwards to PWHL San Jose, and Lacey Eden also to Las Vegas.
Subsequent selections continued the American surge, with Emma Peschel landing seventh with the New York Sirens, Kirsten Simms eighth to the Toronto Sceptres, and further picks such as Grace Dwyer and Vivian Jungles joining Boston Fleet and Ottawa Charge.
Later rounds kept the momentum, as five Americans were chosen in the third and fourth rounds, three in the fifth, and four in the final sixth round, reflecting a deep pool of skilled players.
A New Era for Women’s Hockey
The draft not only highlights individual achievements but also signals a broader shift, as the United States’ recent Olympic gold, led by Harvey, Murphy, Janecke, Edwards and Simms, fuels optimism for the league’s expansion.
With a historic concentration of American talent and a growing fan base, the Premier Women’s Hockey League is poised to reshape the landscape of professional women’s sports in the coming years.