Seattle Torrent land second pick in PHWL draft
Finally, some good news for the Seattle Torrent, who will pick second overall in this week's entry draft.
Just two days before the event at Detroit's Fox Theatre, the Professional Women's Hockey League finally cleared up the confusion and unveiled its order of selection Monday. The only pick already locked in was first overall, which belongs to the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
Even though the Torrent finished last in the eight-team PWHL last season, the Goldeneyes performed better after being eliminated from the postseason, which is rewarded under the league's "Gold Plan."
Vancouver will have the first crack at defender, Olympic MVP and projected superstar Caroline Harvey out of the University of Wisconsin. There is plenty left for Seattle in this loaded pool. The Torrent might consider forward/defender Laila Edwards, who was named to the All-Star team at the 2026 Winter Games. Some outlets have Minnesota winger Abbey Murphy ranked above Edwards. Penn State center Tessa Janecke is widely expected to round out the top four.
The league's four newest expansion teams occupy picks 3-6, as determined by a randomized draw. Fans of the New York Sirens have reason to be annoyed by that development, as their team - which has yet to make the postseason in three tries - will pick seventh, despite losing several players to the expansion process. The other non-playoff team, Toronto, is next, then the four playoff teams, with defending champion Montreal going last. The order will remain the same in all six rounds, with a total of 72 players selected.
Seattle is also smarting after losing several key players to the expansion teams, particularly PWHL Detroit, which made off with Torrent captain Hilary Knight, defender Cayla Barnes and another Olympic All-Star, forward Hannah Bilka. Goalie Corinne Schroeder and defenders Mariah Keopple and Megan Carter all signed elsewhere.
The Torrent will have to build their defensive core back up in the coming weeks. Anna Wilgren is the only bluelines under contract for the upcoming season.
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