PWHL Announces 2024 Entry Draft Date, Top Prospects Set to Shine

The PWHL has announced that its third annual entry draft will take place in Ottawa on June 24, with Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien expected to be one of the top picks following an MVP senior season. However, the exact number of teams participating remains unclear, as the league has yet to decide whether it will expand by two franchises.

The draft will be held at the newly expanded Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa, which is set to open this spring. This will be the first event in the facility's theatre.

O'Brien, who declared herself eligible for the draft before the May 8 deadline, is a standout prospect. The 23-year-old from Massachusetts is coming off a national title win with the Wisconsin Badgers and was honored with the Patty Kazmaier Award this season. The second-year captain led the nation with 88 points (26 goals, 62 assists) and set a school record with 274 career points (97 goals, 177 assists) in 182 games.

The draft order has not been set yet, with the league's announcement coinciding with a three-week break for the Women's World Championships in Czechia. Following the break, each of the six teams will have three games left, with Montreal leading the standings and having already clinched a top-four playoff spot. Toronto is second, just a regulation win away from securing its spot. Boston, Ottawa, and defending champion Minnesota are separated by just two points, while New York sits last, six points out of playoff contention and at risk of missing the postseason for the second consecutive year.

Other notable U.S. prospects declaring their eligibility include Haley Winn of Clarkson, who is currently competing in her third World Championship, and Rory Guilday of Cornell. Top Canadian prospects include Abby Newhook from Boston College and Clarkson's Anne Cherkowski and Nicole Gosling. Colgate's Hannah Murphy, from Kingston, Ontario, is considered the top goalie prospect after setting a school record with 15 career shutouts.

Among the top European prospects are Czechia national team members Natalie Mlynkova, who just completed her senior season at Minnesota, and Kristyna Kaltounkova of Colgate.