Women's Hockey on The Hockey News

2025 PWHL Draft Prospects To Watch At USA Hockey's Summer National Festival

By Ian Kennedy,

7 hours ago

USA Hockey's 2024 Women's National Festival is set to drop the puck in Lake Placid, New York. There will be a combination of current national team members and PWHL stars, recently drafted PWHL prospects, U-18 hopefuls, and current NCAA players, some of whom will be eligible for the 2025 PWHL Draft.

One key name absent from the National Festival roster is Abbey Murphy, who should she declare this year will be a first round pick, and potentially the first overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft. With nearly 20 draft eligible players at USA Hockey's camp, it will be a major scouting event for PWHL teams.

Here's a look at at the 2025 PWHL Draft eligible players at USA Hockey's Women's National Festival:

Haley Winn - D - Clarkson

A potential first round pick, Winn is a mobile defender who has become a fixture on Team USA's blueline. She walks the line with ease and gets pucks through to the net. She is a potent offensive producer from the back end.

Casey O'Brien - F - Wisconsin

Had she declared this year, O'Brien would have been a top pick, and that's what she's destined for next season. She's got top 10 potential as one of the best scorers in NCAA hockey finishing last season second in the nation with 73 points in 41 games. She'll be a sought after player and is a leading contender to steal a roster spot with USA.

Lacey Eden - F - Wisconsin

Like Abbey Murphy, it's possible Eden returns for another year of NCAA hockey due to the fact she missed a season centralizing for the Olympics. That said, it's more likely Eden starts her PWHL career having already spent five years at Wisconsin. A long time national team member, Eden is a likely top 10 pick and can score, recording 56 points in 41 games last season, but has also learned to play an energy line checking role with USA.

Rory Guilday - D - Cornell

Another likely top 10 pick, Guilday isn't flashy, but she's consistent, defensively reliable, and has coveted size to compete in the physical PWHL. She's been a national team staple for three seasons despite being only 21. The 5-foot-11 blueliner will be a stable addition who will help a team win tight games.

Kiara Zanon - F - Ohio State

A key piece to Ohio State's national title last season, Zanon scored 41 points in 39 games. Her performance this season will decide how high she goes, but it's likely she'll project in rounds 3-4.

Ella Huber - F - Minnesota

Watch for a big season from Huber within Minnesota's now stockpiled roster that includes Abbey Murphy and Natalie Mlynkova, two leading contenders for the first overall pick, as well as Peyton Hemp and Josefin Bouveng up front. She could shatter her career best 42 points in 39 games from last season. She's a player to watch who could rise this season.

Peyton Hemp - F - Minnesota

Hemp has been as consistent as it comes in her three NCAA seasons and is certainly a player who will garner mid to late round interest from PWHL teams. It could be higher if she can boost her numbers, while maintaining the well balanced game she's known for.

Jamie Nelson - F - Minnesota State

Few programs have pumped out more pros over the last few seasons than Minnesota State, a testament to the development players experience in the program which has struggled to contend in the WCHA. Nelson looks to be another who will play pro next season whether it's in the PWHL or Europe. Her numbers, including 20 goals in 38 games are impressive on a losing team.

Emma Gentry - F - St. Cloud State

Gentry isn't a big scorer, but she is a big body at 5-foot-11, and in the ever physical PWHL, that matters. She projects as a bottom six forward, and she might benefit from a season overseas, but Gentry has the tools to be a pro.

Riley Brengman - D - Ohio State

Often overshadowed on Ohio State's star studded blueline that saw four players drafted to the PWHL last season, Brengman has been a quiet and consistent contributor. The right show defender will take on a leadership role this season with Ohio State, and is a player to watch in the late rounds of the draft.

Morgan Neitzke - F - Lindenwood

You could overlook Neitzke because she plays at a smaller program, but she put herself in a prime spot to develop playing in all situations for Lindenwood throughout her college career, unlike others who wait until their Junior and Senior seasons to see that responsibility. Last year Neitzke popped off for 46 points in 32 games. She's a mid to late round prospect with high upside.

Lily Delianedis - F - Cornell

Cruising alongside Patty Kazmaier winner Izzy Daniel last season at Cornell was Delianedis who has been a model of consistency producing a point per game her past two seasons. Cornell boasts one of the best bluelines in the nation this season, meaning Delianedis will be getting pucks to her regularly.

Makenna Webster - F - Ohio State

Webster is a big game player. It's an aspect of her game not to be overlooked that she rises against tougher competition instead of feasting on weak teams like many of the NCAA's top scorers. She won three medals with USA's U-18 national team, a national title with Ohio State, where she was named MVP, and has averaged more than a point per game across four NCAA seasons.

Skylar Irving - F - Northeastern

Another all around player coming out of Northeastern, there's a lot to like about the progression seen in Irving's game last season with Northeastern when she was given more responsibility following the departure of a star class to the PWHL. She'll have an even bigger role this season after notching 35 points in 39 games last year, and is a player teams will be eyeing as a potential role player. An excellent two-way player.

Hanna Baskin - D - Minnesota-Duluth

Good size, good production. Baskin is a late round prospect. It's not her numbers that brought her here however, as she's a very capable defender who can end rushes and clear her zone.

Ava Rinker - D - Connecticut

A bit of a wildcard at this camp, it will be interesting to see how Rinker stacks up facing USA's top talents. She's undersized and not a big producer, but it's her mobility and smarts that have her in camp.

Sydney Langseth - F - Minnesota State

Enjoyed a big jump in her production last season recording career highs in goals (15) and points (32), Langseth is a player coming from a Minnesota State team, who as previously mentioned, is now known for moving players up the hockey ladder. Whether it's the PWHL or Europe, she's a player likely to continue her path beyond this season, which means whether it's next year or in another season, keep an eye on Lengseth.

Callie Shanahan - G - Boston University

There just isn't going to be room for a goaltender to play in the PWHL next season out of USA's camp. Shanahan has a lot going for her as a long time member of USA's camps, and with a 5-foot-10 frame. She's going to need to stand on her head at this camp and all season with BU to get a sniff, particularly with the goalies who are likely to declare for the draft from other nations.

Amanda Thiele - G - Ohio State

Copy and past the above. Good size, long time member of USA's camps, but Thiele has a slight edge over Shanahan both in her play, and in her performance, albeit on a strong Ohio State team over recent seasons. With Hailey MacLeod coming to Ohio State, Thiele's PWHL hopes, even as a third goalie, will depend on if she can win the Buckeyes' crease.

Here's a look at Canada's top prospects who will play for their National Development Team: