PWHL RELEASES 2025 DRAFT ELIGIBILITY LIST FEATURING 199 PLAYERS REPRESENTING 15 COUNTRIES

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NEW YORK AND TORONTO (May 15, 2025) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced the 199 eligible players who have declared for the 2025 PWHL Draft Presented by Upper Deck. The draft will take place on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Live inside the brand-new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa, Ontario.

“The continued growth of the PWHL is reflected in the strength and diversity of this year’s draft class,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “We’re proud to welcome nearly 200 players from around the world who are ready to make their mark on professional hockey. The draft is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and we can’t wait to share this moment with fans in Ottawa and those tuning in from around the globe.”

All eligible players officially declared for the draft by the May 8 deadline. The group features 117 forwards, 56 defenders, and 26 goaltenders, representing 15 countries: Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

A total of 33 players have Senior National Team experience, with representatives from all 15 countries, and an additional 24 players have competed internationally for Canada or the United States at the U18 level.

During the 2024-25 season, 142 of the eligible players were collegiate athletes, featuring 113 from NCAA Division I, three from NCAA Division III, and 26 from U SPORTS. Another 43 players competed in professional leagues across the globe.

View the full 2025 PWHL Draft eligibility list here.

About the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL)

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women’s players in the world. It is comprised of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. Launched on Jan. 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women’s hockey game. In 2024, the PWHL was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year and received the top position in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll, which ranks companies’ reputations. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise, and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter to receive the latest league updates. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.