A new PWHL Draft year officially began last week with the National Development Team series between Canada and USA in Thorold, Ontario. In the stands were not only fans, friends, and family, but scouts and staff from PWHL teams. The event was the first real opportunity for PWHL teams to begin compiling their lists for the 2025 PWHL Draft .
While the 2025 PWHL Draft eligible players in attendance were aware of the future, they were also trying to stay in the present.
"I'm definitely excited for another season with Ohio State and to see what we can put together in my final year," said Jenna Bulgioni, who wore a letter on her jersey with Canada at the series. "After that, looking forward into the future, hopefully a career in the PWHL, but right now I'm just being where my feet are and staying in the moment."
Buglioni was one of several players on Canada and USA's rosters who will be considered a top prospect for the 2025 Draft. From Ohio State's roster last year, Cayla Barnes , Hannah Bilka, Lauren Bernard, Hadley Hartmetz, Raygan Kirk, Jennifer Gardiner and Stephanie Markowski were all selected. Buglioni will return to Ohio State next season alongside USA's Kiara Zanon, who is also PWHL Draft eligible in 2025.
"That's obviously something you dream of growing up, and obviously with how the league went last year it was super exciting to watch, super cool to watch," said Zanon of the PWHL. "Watching teammates I played with play last year and then get drafted this year, some of my really close friends, being able to see them them get that draft experience and looking forward to watching them play this year. I want to take advantage of my last year and obviously look to bring that to the PWHL next year."
The USA senior national team has several prospects who could declare for the draft this season including Rory Guilday, Abbey Murphy, Haley Winn, and Lacey Eden. They were joined on the Development Team by Emma Gentry, Peyton Hemp, Ella Huber, Skylar Irving, Callie Shanahan, and Amanda Thiele who are all certain to declare for the draft. Eden and Murphy technically have an extra season of NCAA eligibility they could play out, but the excitement to soon join the PWHL will be tempting.
"It's been so exciting to watch the PHWL grow, and watch my teammates be successful in building that," said Eden. "It's something I'm so grateful for to have. I just want to build every year in the NCAA and get that much better and that much more dominant."
View the original article to see embedded media.
While Eden has the option, Clarkson's Haley Winn looks like a first round pick in the making.
"Definitely a little different to think about," said Winn. "I haven't thought much past college yet, but it's super exciting to have a league to look forward to. I'm just trying to make the most of it and enjoy every second, the years seem to go fast. I'm just looking forward to it, but also looking to stay in the present."
Staying in the moment, whether it was the National Development series , or the opening of a new NCAA campaign was a common thread for the prospects present at the series.
"I'm trying not to look ahead too much, it is a long season," said Kendall Cooper, a Canadian blueliner who previously captained Canada's U-18 national team and will return for her fifth season with Quinnipiac this year. She was one of several Canadians alongside Buglioni who are likely to join the draft this year including Ashley Messier, Sarah Wozniewicz, and Hannah Murphy. While the draft looms, for now it's one shift at a time, and one game at a time.
"I'm just going to enjoy each game I play as it's my last season and then just go where the wind takes me," said Cooper. "I'm just going to play my game, try not to change it too much and hopefully a team in the PWHL enjoys it. We'll see how it goes, but I'm just excited for the process of it."
Most Popular
Comments / 0