Five Wisconsin women’s hockey stars selected in first round of 2026 PWHL Draft

DETROIT, Mich. (WMTV) - Some of the best players made in Madison are officially off the board.

The Vancouver Goldeneyes selected former Wisconsin captain Caroline Harvey first overall in the 2026 PWHL Draft on Wednesday in Detroit, sending the Badgers’ blue-liner to Vancouver to begin her pro career.

Harvey entered the day as the draft’s top prospect after a senior season that was tough to match, with 18 goals and 64 points in 33 games in Madison, while also helping Team USA win Olympic gold and earning Olympic MVP honors.

“They have such great players there and they’re just so excited,” Harvey said. “They’ve got a great GM and I’m sure they’re going to have an amazing coach too soon enough. So yeah, I’m super excited to join some phenomenal players on that roster and hopefully add to that.”

Harvey wasn’t the only Badger to come off the board early.

Former Wisconsin forward Laila Edwards made history as the first-ever draft pick in PWHL San Jose history, going fourth overall.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Edwards said. “Representation matters. So to be that representation and make that history, it’s an honor, and it’s what motivates me the most.”

In all, four of the top 10 picks came from Wisconsin: Harvey (No. 1), Edwards (No. 4), Lacey Eden (No. 5 to Las Vegas), and Kirsten Simms (No. 8 to Toronto). Badger defenseman Vivian Jungels was also selected 11th overall by the Ottawa Charge.

Full list of Badgers draft picks in the 2026 PWHL Draft:

1. Vancouver Goldeneyes: Caroline Harvey (Wisconsin)
2. Seattle Torrent: Abbey Murphy (Minnesota)
3. PWHL Las Vegas: Tessa Janecke (Penn State)
4. PWHL San Jose: Laila Edwards (Wisconsin)
5. PWHL Las Vegas: Lacey Eden (Wisconsin)
6. PWHL Hamilton: Nelli Laitinen (Minnesota)
7. New York Sirens: Emma Peschel (Ohio State)
8. Toronto Sceptres: Kirsten Simms (Wisconsin)
9. Minnesota Frost: Sara Swiderski (Ohio State)
10. Boston Fleet: Grace Dwyer (Cornell)
11. Ottawa Charge: Vivian Jungels (Wisconsin)
12. Montréal Victoire: Petra Nieminen (Lulea)

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