Vancouver Goldeneyes select Caroline Harvey first overall in 2026 PWHL Draft

The 2026 PWHL Draft took place on June 17 in Detroit, Michigan, with 72 players selected across six rounds. The Vancouver Goldeneyes used the first overall pick to select defender Caroline “KK” Harvey. 

(Image credit to PWHL)

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) added 72 new players on Wednesday, June 17, during the 2026 PWHL Draft. The league’s fourth annual draft was held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. 

The Vancouver Goldeneyes selected 23-year-old Caroline “KK” Harvey with their first overall pick. She entered the draft as one of the most highly regarded prospects available and was widely projected to be selected first overall. With this pick, Harvey became the first defender ever chosen as the No. 1 pick in PWHL history. 

Caroline Harvey capped her collegiate career by winning the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA’s best women’s hockey player, and she is a three-time National Champion with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. 

Additionally, the 23-year-old is also an Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, contributing a tournament-high-tying nine points. She was named Tournament MVP, and she was also named the 2026 IIHF Female Player of the Year. 

Vancouver Goldeneyes secured the first-overall pick by earning the most Gold Plan points, an innovation designed to encourage competitive play throughout the full regular season. 

The Seattle Torrent had the second pick of the night, using this to select Abbey Murphy from the University of Minnesota. She was the first forward selected during the 2026 PWHL Draft. 

PWHL Las Vegas was the only team with two first-round picks, selecting forward Tessa Janecke from Penn State third overall, and forward Lacey Eden from the University of Wisconsin fifth overall. 

The three other new expansion teams also made historic picks during the Draft. PWHL San Jose selected forward Laila Edwards fourth overall. 

Finnish rearguard Nelli Laitinen was selected sixth overall by PWHL Hamilton, making her the first international player chosen that night. 

PWHL Detroit used their first pick of the night to select Switzerland’s Andrea Brändi 15th overall. This pick made her the first goaltender chosen. 

A total of 235 eligible players declared for the draft, representing the largest talent pool of prospective players since the inaugural season. The 72 players selected in the six-round draft process include 42 forwards, 22 defenders, and eight goaltenders. 

Article written by Jana Van Nieuwenborgh