UMD Women's Hockey Stars Shine in Historic PWHL Draft
The fourth edition of the Professional Women's Hockey League draft concluded in Detroit, Michigan, drawing attention from across the hockey world as collegiate talent was allocated to the league's six teams.
Four members of the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs were among the 65 players selected, underscoring the program's continued pipeline to the professional ranks.
Thea Johansson, Mary Kate O'Brien, Tova Henderson and Ashley Messier each heard their names called, marking a personal milestone and a collective triumph for the Bulldogs.
Draft Night Details
Johansson's name appeared in the second round with the 17th overall pick, earning a spot on the Vancouver Goldeneyes. O'Brien followed in the third round at pick 34, joining the newly established PWHL Detroit franchise.
Henderson was selected 45th overall in the fourth round by the Minnesota Frost, while Messier waited until the sixth round before the Vancouver Goldeneyes claimed her at pick 61.
Johansson not only led the Bulldogs in scoring with 17 goals and four game‑winning goals, she also represented Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, tying for the tournament lead with four goals.
O'Brien was recognized as the WCHA's Outstanding Student Athlete and logged 162 career appearances for UMD, a testament to her durability and consistency.
Henderson received the Maroon and Gold Award and played every one of the Bulldogs' 38 games this season, highlighting her iron‑man reliability.
Messier transferred to Duluth after a standout career at Cornell University, where she appeared in 36 games and now looks to bring that experience to the professional stage.
A Program on the Rise
UMD has seen 22 players drafted over the past four years, and the Bulldogs currently rank third in the PWHL for alumni presence during the 2024‑25 season, with 16 former students on active rosters.
The achievement reflects the program's strong development pipeline, from collegiate competition to international representation and now professional contracts.
Fans and teammates alike celebrated the draft results, anticipating how each player will contribute to the growth of women's hockey in North America and abroad.