Draft Prospects Hockey is proud to have branched out into the women’s game. The PWHL has brought an exciting product to the ice and Draft Prospects Hockey is pleased to help look at the future talent for the game.
We have brought in a team of scouts who have spent countless hours viewing games in the rink and online. Our scouting team includes Kalvin Lussier, Cee Benwell and Andy Miller. Now let’s meet our team of scouts who are in the rinks and online putting in the time so that you will be in the know prior to the 2025 PWHL draft.
Kalvin Lussier is a newer scout on the scene with experience in social media and seeing the game at the rink more often than not. He is someone who is developing his trade and improving as he grows with experience. Lussier has the pulse of the women’s game and is good at knowing what is going on and who is going where next.
Cee Benwell has a long history with women’s hockey, including playing at every level from early childhood in the Mississauga Girls’ Hockey League, through university, provincial tournaments, and recreational leagues, as well as coaching (in Colorado and Arizona), volunteering with the Special Olympics, and teaching at hockey camps. Now a podcaster and journalist specializing in covering the PWHL, she brings a special insight into the women’s game and awareness of how much deeper the talent pool is as the professional game grows.
Andy Miller, Head Scout, has been with Draft Prospects Hockey for a few years and is now plying his trade with the women’s game. He has experience as a goaltender at the USports level and as a coach in minor hockey to Canadian College hockey. Having trained with Hockey Canada goaltending, he has a wealth of experience observing the full game. Seeing only four women’s teams in the OUA when he played to where the women’s game is now is remarkable. Having coached some of the women in the draft-eligible bracket allows him to assess how far many of these women have progressed from when they were young to now.
With all of the groups evaluating the men’s side at Draft Prospects Hockey, and with the development of the PWHL, it was decided to give some respect to the women’s game and meet the demand for evaluations.
This list has many players who will slot into a PWHL lineup and make a difference right away. The first overall spot is Murphy’s to lose; she is able to elevate the game of others around her and is a capable finisher. Her teammate in Minnesota, Mlýnková, is a different type of forward but one who has the ability to be a top power forward in the PWHL. Clarkson’s Nicole Gosling is the top defender in this draft but has competition from her teammate Winn.
This is an intriguing year as we have a double cohort that is graduating due to the covid rules that allowed some College/University players to play six years. We look forward to how those ranked develop over the season and are keeping an eye on who opts into the 2025 PWHL Draft, and anticipate eagerly many more drafts to come.
Thank you for your support of DraftPro and our first venture into the women’s game.
- Abbey Murphy, F, 2002, Minnesota / Team USA –
Abbey Murphy has consistently stood atop the 2025 draft rankings since the league’s inception—and for good reason: she is a complete package with a strong presence on the ice. Murphy has been a US Women’s World senior team member since 2020-21, her freshman year at Minnesota. She has strong playmaking skills and can get inside opponents’ heads quickly. Murphy will become Minnesota’s second first-overall pick [Taylor Heise 2023]. Overall, Murphy is one of those players who, no matter what, will make an instant impact on her team. KL
- Kristýna Kaltounková, F, 2002, Colgate
Kaltounková is a dynamic forward who had no issues adjusting to the North American game. She has an excellent shot and gets it on net quickly, with accuracy and some power. Kaltounková is a player who is on the bigger side and can use that on the defensive side of the game in particular. She elevates the game of those on the ice with her. Kaltounková is a player who could slot into the top two lines and be an effective player. She is certainly a first-rounder and likely top three because of her finishing ability. AM
- Natálie Mlýnková, F, 2001, Minnesota / Team Czechia
Mlýnková has shown a strong all-around game, with almost no weak spots. Her transfer from the University of Vermont to Minnesota has raised her profile, and she has averaged a point per game so far. Last year at the World Championships, she looked like the best forward on Team Czechia, shining in the absence of top scorer Kateřina Mrázová. Mlýnková plays a stout physical game in spite of her smaller stature at 5’ 3” and has tools that should translate extremely well to the PWHL. Not as flashy as Murphy, but Mlýnková will appeal to teams for her versatility and hockey IQ. CB
- Nicole Gosling, D, 2002, Clarkson / Team Canada
Nicole Gosling will most likely be the first defender off the board. She carries a lot of expectations going into this draft but has shown she can handle the spotlight. Last year was her first taste of senior national team action with Canada in the Rivalry Series and the Women’s World Championships. Last year, she led all defenders in the NCAA in scoring. Gosling solidifies her place with her excellent two-way play, showing she can quarterback any situation. KL
- Viivi Vainikka, F, 2001, Lulea / Team Finland
Vainikka has great international experience at a young age. She is an incredibly skilled player who can find the tiniest opening and electrify a crowd with that space. She can shoot the puck well but that isn’t where she shines. Vainikka is an excellent skater and is able to get low in her skating stride and is near impossible to knock off the puck. She is a player who has high-end offensive potential and could go in the first round but is likely an early second rounder in the top ten, if she declares. AM
- Casey O’Brien, F, 2001, Wisconsin
The internal competition on a stacked Wisconsin team has brought out the best in O’Brien, who leads the team in scoring and was named the WCHA forward of the month for October. She brings pure offense and is a danger in the opponent’s zone with her speed, awareness, and terrific shot. Her defensive game will need work if she is to thrive in a top-six role in the PWHL. It will be a storyline to watch all season: will teams prefer O’Brien’s offensive upside (and smaller size) or teammate Lacey Eden’s playmaking and larger frame? CB
- Haley Winn, D, 2003, Clarkson / Team USA
Winn is a strong and capable defender who is just a touch behind her defensive partner Gosling in consistency. She has the advantage, however, of being a right-handed defender, and also has as much international experience as Gosling. Winn is smooth, shifty, and poised in all situations. Strong on her skates in both directions, she can anchor a power play but gives up very little playing in her own end as well. Her smaller size might be the main differentiator between Winn and Gosling, and teams would be thrilled to add either to their roster. CB
- Rory Guilday, D, 2002, Cornell / Team USA
Rory Guilday is a tall, left-handed defender who can play the puck well. Guilday had a second to third-line role in last year’s Women’s World Championship, but she can rise quickly. Not to mention that she has also been on the team since her freshman year of college. Guilday excels at the point where she can skate the line at an advanced level; combining that with a quick and snappy shot can lead to danger. Guilday has phenomenal upside and can quickly overtake Gosling and Winn as they are so close together. It will be up to the team’s preference on who they choose. KL
- Lacey Eden, F, 2002, Wisconsin / Team USA
Eden is a highly-skilled forward who is a top ten scorer in the NCAA. She is a very experienced player on the international stage. Eden has elite hand-eye coordination and is superb with the puck on her stick. When she has open ice she is able to dance with the puck and make opponents pay. She is a player who can find seams and put the puck on a teammate’s tape with ease. She is likely to be a top ten selection in the upcoming PWHL draft, and could develop into a top line player. AM
- Clara Van Wieren, F, 2002, Minnesota-Duluth
Clara Van Wieren ranks at ten on this list for a good reason. Although she has no senior national team experience, she holds a prominent position and is a key to the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s success this season, playing top-line minutes and being a team captain. Van Wieren is aggressive on the puck and has phenomenal skating skills and an above-average shot. With all of her skills, she is a dangerous offensive zone threat. No matter what, Van Wieren should be on everyone’s radar as a top-10 pick. KL
- Michaela Pejzlová, F, 1997, Ambrì-Piotta / Team Czechia
Pejzlova is a good skater with some size. She is able to gain the puck in traffic and protects it while still being able to make a pass or let one rip. Pejzlova has a very quick release that goaltenders are challenged to read. She supports the puck well and tracks it up the ice with ease. Pejzlova drives the net hard and is able to keep her feet moving and hands free which makes her very hard to cover. She reads the play very well and her timing is impeccable. Pejzlova is a top 15 pick in the upcoming draft. CB
- Hanna Olsson, F, 1999, Frolunda / Team Sweden
Olsson is a very strong skater with good speed with speed to separate from other players. Olsson has an active stick and can help out her team defensively. She elevates the play of those on the ice with her and is very creative on the ice. Olsson has excellent hands and can work her way out of trouble with ease. She has great vision on the ice and sees what is coming, not only what is happening. The puck finds her on the ice and particularly in dangerous areas. Olsson goes to the slot and has excellent timing so she has a bit of time and space. Her shot is a good one with a quick release off the stick. She is a top 15 pick. KL
- Elisa Holopainen, F, 2001, Frolunda / Team Finland
Holopainen is a dynamic player who has a high-end skill set. She is currently the leading scorer in the SDHL and has demonstrated an ability to finish at that level. Her consistency shift to shift still needs to improve and her ability to play through tough, skilled players is yet to be answered. Holopainen could rise in the draft but is definitely a player in the top 15. A team could end up with a first-liner or someone who struggles to adapt her game to the bottom six. She is a bit of a risky selection near the top of the draft but should be worth the gamble. AM
- Jenniina Nylund, F, 1999, Brynas / Team Finland
Nylund is a bit of a dark horse to go in the top four rounds. She has many tools that appeal to scouts: size, strength, tenacity, and smarts. She is strong in puck battles along the boards and a good forechecker. Her skating is very powerful, although not especially quick. Her movements are north-south and she can get to where she needs to be but isn’t a deft stickhandler. Penalty killing and faceoffs are another strength, and she keeps possession for her team on many shifts where they wouldn’t otherwise. However, her age means she might have hit her ceiling, but Nylund could still be a good third-line center for a PWHL team. CB
- Kendall Cooper, D, 2002, Quinnipiac
Cooper is a smooth skating defender with some size. She is able to move the puck effectively and can play top minutes against top opponents. If you look at her points at the NCAA vs her Jr. career she continued to improve and put up a higher ppg at the NCAA level. Cooper has been the captain of Canada on the International scene at the U18 level and has those immeasurable skills that teams need. She is a player who will go in the top 20 and could go higher as she is likely one of the top four defenders available in this draft. AM
- Michelle Karvinen, F, 1990, Frolunda / Team Finland
The 34-year old Karvinen still makes the list of top draft prospects because she is simply one of the strongest and most dynamic players in the class. Karvinen has been one of Finland’s top players for many years, a powerful forward who drives play. She scores, plays extremely strong physically, and makes an impact every time she’s on the ice. Her hockey sense is top-notch, and she can finish when playing with linemates who feed her the puck. A strong skater who plays bigger than her 5’ 6”. It’s not clear if she wants to make the transition to North America, but would be on teams’ radar and could be taken anywhere from the second round to not at all. CB
- Abby Hustler, F, 2003, St. Lawrence
Hustler is a big forward who is a good skater with some speed to chase down players on the forecheck. She has an accurate shot, but with limited power. Hustler has a good shot and is able to use her size to get to dangerous areas on the ice and typically gets it on net. She plays with urgency at times and is able to rattle defenders and create time and space for herself. Hustler can make things happen at the net front. She can make effective short passes that are easy to receive, particularly to players on the move. Hustler has some good potential and could slide into a middle six role on a PWHL team, particularly with another year of development. She could go in the top three rounds. KL
- Anne Cherkowski, F, 2002, Clarkson
Cherkowski is an excellent two way forward with some offensive punch. She is a relentless forechecker and is at her best when she is moving her feet. Cherkowski is great at protecting the puck. She finds the seams well and can make the pass easy to receive. Cherkowski is a middle six forward and would be at her best on the third line of a deep team looking to win the Walter Cup. She is a player who could be the top defensive forward in a few years. AM
- Sara Hjarlmasson, F, Linkoping HC, Sweden
- Emma Seitz, D, 2000, MoDo
- Vita Ponyatovskaya, D, 2003, Yale
- Skylar Irving, F, 2002, Northeastern
- Morgan Neitzke, F, 2003, Lindenwood
- Emma Gentry, F, 2002, St. Cloud State
- Ella Huber, F, 2002, Minnesota
- Kiara Zanon, F, 2002, Ohio State
- Jenna Buglioni, F, 2002, Ohio State
- Maya Labad, F, 2002, Quinnipiac
- MacKenna Webster, F, 2002, Ohio State
- Sarah Wozniewicz, F, 2002, Wisconsin
- Sarah Marchand, F, 2003, St. Lawrence
- Peyton Hemp, F, 2003, Minnesota
- Maddi Wheeler, F, 2002, Ohio State
- Lily Delianedis, F, 2001, Cornell
- Emilia Vesa, F, 2001, Frolunda,
- Sanni Ahola, G, 2000, St. Cloud / Team Finland
- Ayaka Hitosatao, D, 1994, Linkoping HC
- Jenna Goodwin, C, Clarkson Golden Knights,
- Maddy Samoskevich, D, 2002, Quinnipiac
- Emma Bergesen, D, 1999, SDE
- Sydney Pederson, D, 2003, Mercyhurst
- Leah Herrfort, F, Waterloo
- Abby Newhook, F, 2003, Boston College
- Laura Kluge, F, Germany,
- Hanna Murphy, G, 2003, Colgate
- Reece Hunt, F, 2001, Lulea
- Nina Jobst-Smith, D, 2001, Minnesota-Duluth / Team Germany
- Amanda Thiele, G, 2002, Ohio State
- Ashley Messier, D, 2002, Cornell
- Andrea Brändli, G, 1997, MoDo / Team Switzerland