PWHL Draft Preview
What I would do in round 1
Before I jump into my GM hat for this article, yesterday the PWHL released a list of names that have officially declared for the draft. This list does include those players that have applied and received approval to stay in certain markets due to compassionate circumstances. This list hasn’t been made public so there will be some interesting choices that appear to be all over the map when the draft occurs on September 18th. The great news is that the draft will be live streamed beginning at 1PM Est on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android devices, radio-canada.ca/sports and the Radio-Canada info app. I cannot wait to tune in!
What we also learned is that the list includes 268 names, including 146 Forwards, 78 Defenders and 44 Goalies. As a reminder there will be 15 rounds and a total of 90 players will be selected.
The draft order for round 1 is as follows:
Minnesota
Toronto
Boston
New York
Ottawa
Montreal
So here’s my thought process. Seeing as this is not an entry draft but instead an expansion draft, in some cases I believe that teams will select based on need rather than best available player. For example, 3 of the 6 teams have secured a bona fide number 1 Goalie so we know that the remaining teams need one. The question is when to strike.
Let’s begin…
With the first pick in the draft, I as Minnesota pick…
Taylor Heise, 23-5’10” Forward, University of Minnesota
This appears to be an absolute no-brainer given the meteoric rise of her career in the past few seasons coupled with the fact that she is a Minnesota native. Heise just completed her collegiate career where she posted 96 Goals and 129 Assists in 172 Games, capturing the Patty Kazmaeir award in 2022. Heise also burst onto the International scene with Team USA at the 2022 Women’s World Championship, posting 18 Points in just 7 Games and adding 12 more Points in 7 Games in 2023.
Here is a link to some highlights of her offensive abilities:
The Toronto PWHL franchise selects…
Natalie Spooner, 32-5’10” Forward-PWHPA
I considered the Goaltending position here but with the depth of Goaltending talent available, I felt that selecting the Team Canada veteran to pair with Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull up front, Toronto finds instant chemistry out of the gate. Spooner is ranked 3rd on the THN's Top 120 just behind Alina Muller but given her ties to Toronto and her familiarity with Toronto’s 3 founding players, this feels like a natural fit.
Toronto can expect to see alot of these moments:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1273403427223466
Boston selects…
Alina Muller, 25-5’6” Forward-Northeastern University
As with the previous two picks this appears to be another no-brainer. Muller is coming off an exceptional collegiate career where she scored at a torrid pace registering 254 Points in 159 Games while attending Northeastern University in Boston. She has also been a key member and most recognizable member of Team Switzerland since the 2014 Olympics where she lead Switzerland to a Bronze medal as a 15 year old. Keeping her close to her adopted home makes sense.
Here’s a link to her accolades from her collegiate career:
https://nuhuskies.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/alina-mueller/7864
New York selects…
Erin Ambrose, 29-5’5” Defence-PWHPA
On the surface, it looks like New York should take a Goalie…not so fast. Since this is a snake draft format, New York will pick again at 9 after Montreal and Ottawa who have already secured Goalies. Selecting Ambrose would provide New York with a Right shot D to pair with foundational Left shot D Micah Zandee-Hart. Ambrose is listed at #5 THN's Top 120 but is the #1 Defender available on the board. She has proven to be an offensive minded D who can slide onto the top PP unit and put up Points. In her college career at Clarkson, she recorded 137 Points in 132 Games. Most recently, she contributed 7 Points in 7 Games for Canada 2023 Women’s World Championships.
Here’s a link of Ambrose speaking about mental health:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=erin+ambrose&docid=603542002906641847&mid=8AC59E9786833CB118DA8AC59E9786833CB118DA&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Ottawa adds…
Claire Thompson, 25-5’8” Defence, PWHPA
I opted for youth and size over the experience of Jocelyn Larocque. Thompson is ranked #7 on THN's Top 120. I also note the Offensive upside that Thompson brings as she posted 87 Points in 129 Games while also excelling academically at Princeton. In addition, she holds the Olympic record for Points by a Defenceman putting up 13 Points in 7 Games on the way to a Gold medal.
Here’s an interesting story about her current life split between Hockey and Med School:
https://theathletic.com/4221044/2023/03/08/claire-thompson-hockey-canada-nyu-medical-school/
Montreal selects…
Sophie Jaques, 22-5’8” Defence, Ohio State
There is no question that Montreal could go with a Forward at this spot as they hold both picks 6 and 7 but I decided to go with the young Right shot puck moving Defender who is the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner. She recorded 61 Goals and 95 Assists in 172 Games at Ohio State, leading them to a National Championship in 2022. Imagine adding her blend of size and skill to a PP unit with Marie-Philip Poulin? Montreal fans should be treated to a potent Offence in year one.
Here’s a link of her speaking about the Patty Kazmaier Award:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sophie+jaques&&view=detail&mid=4A290C4E87EFAEF06D534A290C4E87EFAEF06D53&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dsophie%2Bjaques%26FORM%3DHDRSC4
I may be way off on these picks but it was a fun exercise I feel like I may regret passing over Jocelyn Larocque in round 1. I used the THN's Top 120 as a rough guide adjusted based on the draft declarations and tried to get inside the mind of six GM’s in the PWHL. I’m excited to watch the draft and see how my picks match up with reality. Here’s a link to that list:
https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/pwhl-draft-rankings-top-120
And the list of declared players:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/women-hockey/article/complete-list-of-players-eligible-for-inaugural-pwhl-draft/
Every day is a great day for Hockey!