PWHL newcomers in Seattle and Vancouver plucked 14 players from existing teams during Monday’s expansion draft. “I feel so comfortable with this roster,” Seattle GM Meghan Turner said on the PWHL YouTube live stream after making seven selections. “A good mix of leadership and younger players.”
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Turner made special mention of her top two forward lines, comprised of players from this draft and those previously signed as free agents. Line one could be Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter and Hanna Bilka. “I’m really excited for that line. I’m also stoked about the second line, (Danielle) Serdachny, (Jessie) Eldridge and (Julia) Gosling, a powerhouse of a second line.”
Here are thumbnail scouting reports on the players picked Monday who will call Climate Pledge Arena home. The analysis comes from Julia Tocheri and Tessa Bonhomme of the Jocks in Jills podcast.
Aneta Tejralová, D, from Ottawa
Tocheri: Tejralová had the most points of any available defender in the draft.
Bonhomme: She knows how to join the rush.
Turner: She moves the puck well, contributes on offense, played great through the playoffs.
Hannah Bilka, F, from Boston
Bonhomme: A dream player. Bilka is such a competitor. There’s some Hilary Knight in her, a little extra flair, leadership, work ethic and skill.
Jessie Eldridge, F, from New York
Tocheri: A fan favorite in New York, an absolute offensive weapon. And a closeted goalie in her spare time. She could lead the “dance party” in the locker room.
Bonhomme: Great locker room player, knows how to keep things positive. What I love about her is, she can score from anywhere. You can feel like you’ve got her tucked away in a corner, and she’ll find a way to put the puck in the net.
Julia Gosling, F, from Toronto
Tocheri: A force for Toronto in the postseason.
Bonhomme: She’s a big body. She’s got a heck of a shot, a power play specialist. Great at finding the “soft” ice.
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Anna Wilgren, D, from Montreal
Tocheri: Seattle has reunited a great “D” pairing from Montreal, Cayla Barnes and Wilgren.
Bonhomme: A solid stay-at-home defender that won’t hurt (her team). Not trying to do anything too fancy in moments when the easy play is the play to make. A “see it, do it” type of player.
Megan Carter, D, from Toronto
Bonhomme: She’s going to miss playing in front of her hometown fans (in Toronto). She’s not going to do anything highlight-reel-wise, but a sturdy defender. Hard minutes, hard-nosed hockey. Lay the body, and make the other team’s night a living hell.
Emily Brown, D, from Boston
Bird’s Instagram Story
Tocheri: Brown may be the most famous player in the PWHL. (Seattle Storm WNBA legend) Sue Bird put her on her Instagram Story.
When the Takeover Tour game happened in Seattle (Boston vs. Montreal, Jan. 5), Emily Brown was sitting in the penalty box, looking a little “sulky.”
Sue Bird took a picture (with the caption) “Bad Girl.” Boston made up shirts (with the photo).
Bonhomme: She is physical to say the least, defensively-focused. If your top line is out there and you need somebody to run them into the ground, tire them out, eat up minutes, Brown has the skill set to do that.”
Seattle previously added five players during an exclusive free agency signing window: Hilary Knight (F, Boston), Danielle Serdachny (F, Ottawa), Cayla Barnes (D, Montreal), Alex Carpenter (F, Boston), and Corinne Schroeder (G, Boston).
In addition to selecting a coach, PWHL Seattle’s next key event is the signing window for players on expiring contracts, which opens June 16. The 2025 PWHL Entry Draft takes place June 24 in Ottawa, beginning at 4 pm Seattle time.