A 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft is scheduled for Wednesday night in Detroit and features a record 235 players, including 23 Olympians, across six rounds. Multiple outlets describe the class as the strongest yet for collegiate talent, and note that five American Olympic gold medalists are among the headline prospects. Olympic MVP Caroline Harvey is projected to be selected by Vancouver, with both sources pointing to her as a top defensive prospect. Other prominent names discussed include Abbey Murphy, described as an elite and creative winger; Laila Edwards, highlighted for her two-way versatility across forward and defense roles; and Kirsten Simms, also included among the group of high-end prospects. Both reports emphasize that, while the draft features clear top candidates, teams at the top of the order still face decisions, particularly at the second overall pick, where Seattle is depicted as having a key choice. The coverage frames selection in the draft as a major step for players already recognized for performances at the Olympic level and in high-level collegiate play.