The 2026 PWHL Draft will go down as a big one for New England.
The region doubled last year's total as eight locals heard their names called this year, compared to four locals in 2025, led by Casey O'Brien at No. 3 overall.
Former Wisconsin standout and Team USA star defender Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.) headlined this year's crop, going to the Vancouver Goldeneyes with the No. 1 overall pick.
Harvey, already one of the top players in the world and widely regarded as a generational prospect, will bring elite skating, high hockey IQ and high-end play-driving to Vancouver's blue line.
As a senior in 2025-26, Harvey became the fifth New England native to win the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA's top player, posting a career-high 64 points (18 goals). She won WCHA Player of the Year and her third consecutive WCHA Defender of the Year as well en route to a third national title with Wisconsin. Harvey finished her collegiate career with 201 points in 150 games. She’s the only Badger defender to eclipse 200 points.
FIRST OVERALL: Caroline Harvey goes to Vancouver with top pick in PWHL Draft
Harvey continued to establish herself as an international star. She took home Olympic MVP after putting up nine points in seven games en route to a gold medal with the United States. The NAHA product was also named IIHF Female Player of the Year.
The next New Englander off the board was former Minnesota defender Sydney Morrow (Darien, Conn.) to the Seattle Torrent in the second round at No. 14 overall. Morrow put up 107 points in 115 games over the last three seasons between Colgate and Minnesota. The Shattuck-St. Mary's product had 38 points (eight goals) in 39 games as a senior. She can play in any situation, drive offense and log big minutes.
The Goldeneyes dipped back into the local pool in the third round when they took former Northeastern defender Jules Constantinople (East Haven, Conn.) at No. 25. The Williston Northampton and Connecticut Polar Bears product earned Hockey East Defender of the Year in 2026 after 24 points (seven goals) in 40 games as a senior en route to a Frozen Four berth. She also led Hockey East with 89 blocked shots. Constantinople is a strong decision-maker on the back end.
PWHL EXPANSION:Â Mass. native Meghan Duggan tabbed to lead PWHL Hamilton
Former Minnesota-Duluth forward Mary Kate O'Brien (Wilbraham, Mass.) went to PWHL Detroit in the third round at No. 34 overall. The high-compete forward is a former Williston and Bishop Kearney standout, too. She had 17 points (14 assists) in 38 games as a redshirt senior, following a career 25-point (18-assist) season in 2024-25.
The Goldeneyes struck again with former Penn State goalie Katie DeSa (Pawcatuck, Conn.) at No. 37 overall in the fourth round. DeSa, a product of St. George's and the Boston Junior Eagles, backstopped the Nittany Lions to the Frozen Four in 2026. She led the NCAA with 12 shutouts and was among the best with her 1.36 goals-against average and .936 save percentage, finishing 27-4-0. DeSa won back-to-back Atlantic Hockey America Goaltender of the Year nods, too.
Three picks later, PWHL San Jose selected former Northeastern forward Lily Shannon at No. 40. Shannon, who stands at 5-foot-11, had a career season as a senior, posting 45 points (20 goals) in 40 games, captaining the Huskies to the Frozen Four. The Governor's Academy and Junior Eagles alum was also a Hockey East First Team All-Star.
In the fifth round, the Toronto Sceptres took former Princeton forward Emerson O'Leary (Southborough, Mass.) at No. 58. The Nobles and Assabet alum had 24 points (22 assists) as a senior as the Tigers reached the national tournament. She had back-to-back seasons with 32 or more points as a sophomore and junior.
LEGACY: In terms of legacy, it’s hard to top Caroline Harvey at Wisconsin
Rounding out New England's 2026 draft class, PWHL Detroit struck again in the sixth round, selecting former Cornell forward Georgia Schiff (Montpelier, Vt.) at No. 63. The 5-foot-9 forward had a breakout season as a senior, posting 28 points (12 goals) in 33 games for the Big Red. Schiff is a NAHA alum.
