More than 230 players have declared for the 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League Draft.
With 235 players eligible, this marks the largest talent pool of prospective players since the inaugural season, the PWHL announced Tuesday (May 12) — and Vancouver’s own Goldeneyes hold the first overall draft pick.
White Rock’s own Grace Elliott is among those eligible, as well as South Surrey’s four-time Canadian Olympian and three-time gold medalist Meghan Agosta.
Other players from B.C. who are eligible include Maple Ridge’s Emma Hall, Jade Iginla from Lake Country, Kelowna’s Sophie McKinley and Tessa Krosec, Richmond’s Annalise Wong and Tova Henderson, Summerland’s Lyndsy Acheson, Brooke Disher from Fort St. John, Port Moody’s Sophia Gaskell, Langley’s Sara Swiderski and Jordyn Verbeek, Alexandra Lehmann from Cecil Lake and Abbotsford’s Hailey MacLeod.
Laura Fortino, who won Olympic gold (2014) and silver (2018) with Canada before representing Italy in 2026, has also declared for the draft as well.
The group of 235 players features 129 forwards, 69 defenders, and 37 goaltenders, with more than 50 per cent of draft-eligible players from NCAA programs, the release noted. All eligible players officially declared for the draft by the May 8 deadline.
The draft itself — six rounds (48 picks) — will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 5 p.m. ET at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.