Top Prospects to Watch as 2026 PWHL Draft Approaches
Written By Ella Rose Licata
The 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft declaration period is in full swing after opening March 1. The PWHL draft is a defining moment for North American professional hopefuls, offering a chance to begin their careers and join one of the league’s eight teams. With the draft closing May 8, a number of athletes have distinguished themselves among their peers.
Caroline Harvey
Harvey is a defense prospect from the University of Wisconsin. She was born and raised in New Hampshire alongside two siblings. Growing up on the ice, she attended hockey programs from a young age in preparation for her professional debut. Harvey, also affectionately referred to as ‘KK,’ has developed a reputation for her class and poise on and off the ice.
She had an impressive collegiate career, with numerous achievements. She won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Defender of the Year award in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. She also served on the gold-winning roster of Team USA at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
“We’ve all seen what she’s done on the ice. I mean, we’ve all noticed her game one as a freshman after she came in after her Olympic year. She is going to be a world class player. She stays healthy. She’s going to do a lot of special things. And as I told our fans, late in the season, I said, ‘make sure you come and see her because I’m not sure we’re going to see another one of these for a while,” said coach Mark Johnson.
Laila Edwards
Edwards is a 6-foot-1 right wing and defense prospect from the University of Wisconsin. Despite spending most of her career as a forward, Edwards played defense while representing the United States at the 2026 Olympic Games. On the world stage, she demonstrated the determination and humility for which she is known beyond her athletic performance.
She enters the draft having already made history as the first Black woman to win gold for Team USA at 22. She is also graduating from Wisconsin with a 4.0 GPA in social welfare, which she hopes to use in the future.
“I think representation matters, so to be that representation means the world,” Edwards said.
Petra Nieminen
As of the 2026 draft, Nieminen is beginning her transition to the North American league. Born in Tampere, Finland, she spent her childhood playing on boys youth teams, but her drive for competition outweighed any adversity she faced as a women’s hockey prospect.
In the locker room, Nieminen is known for her leadership and the advice she offers teammates. Whether with the Finnish national team or Luleå HF/MSSK, she has consistently served as a role model for younger players.
Nieminen has played professionally in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League and is now preparing for a PWHL career. As an Olympic representative for Team Finland in 2026, 2022 and 2018, her veteran experience should aid her transition overseas.
Abbey Murphy
The University of Minnesota captain is a forward prospect for this year’s draft. Murphy, a native of Illinois, began playing hockey at age 6, the same time she developed a love for rollerblading. Her experience in multiple youth sports continues to influence her playing style.
Along with her reputation as a strong, relentless player, Murphy was named the 2025-26 WCHA Forward of the Year and won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2026 Olympics.
“Murphy is the motor that makes us go. I think she has taken it upon herself to know that she has got to be the catalyst of our group and she’s done that,” coach Brad Frost said. “It’s been pretty special to watch. Her habits continue to get better, as well. It’s not just the scoring, it’s the other piece of the puzzle.”
