The Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the cusp of its first expansion draft, a watershed moment that will usher in four new franchises and reshape the competitive landscape of women’s elite hockey. The draft, scheduled to commence on June 2, will see Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose each assemble an inaugural roster from a pool of unprotected players.
Protecting the Leaders
Montréal Victoire has elected to safeguard captain Marie‑Philippe Poulin, forward Laura Stacey and netminder Ann‑Renée Desbiens. Poulin, who battled through injury to finish tied for the league lead in points during the postseason, was also crowned the 2026 Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP. Stacey contributed 22 points in 30 regular‑season games and added seven more in the playoffs, while Desbiens posted a 19‑4‑2 record with seven shutouts and a league‑leading .955 save percentage.
The Road to the Expansion Draft
The expansion process will unfold in six phases, beginning with the official filing of intentions on June 2. Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose will each draft a roster of 15 skaters and two goaltenders from the pool of unprotected talent. The move promises to inject fresh talent into the league while testing the strategic depth of existing clubs.
Among the players left exposed are Nicole Gosling, who tied for second among rookies with 19 points in her debut season, Abby Roque, who led the team in total points during the regular season and playoffs, and Erin Ambrose, a blue‑line stalwart and 2024 Defender of the Year. Their potential selection could significantly alter the competitive balance for the new franchises.
The upcoming draft underscores the growing visibility of women’s professional hockey and the strategic importance of protecting core talent. As the league expands, teams must weigh short‑term competitiveness against long‑term roster stability, setting the stage for a new chapter in the PWHL’s evolution.