Professional Women’s Hockey League players will soon be on the move, as the league announced its first-ever expansion draft — for new franchises in Seattle and Vancouver — will be held on June 9.
Each of the PWHL’s six existing teams will lose four players total from their 2024-25 roster, between a pre-expansion draft signing window and the expansion draft.
According to the league’s press release, the expansion draft will follow these rules:
- Teams will submit a list of up to three players who are protected from selection during an exclusive signing window and the expansion draft. Those initial lists are due June 3 at noon ET.
- Only players signed through 2025-26 – or players whose rights remain with a team — can be protected. Pending free agents cannot be protected or selected in the draft.
- There will be a pre-draft signing window from June 4 to 8 where both expansion teams will be allowed to sign a maximum of five players. Any unprotected player or any player on an expiring deal is eligible to be signed during this five-day window.
- Once teams lose two players – either through the signing window or the draft – they will be permitted to protect one additional player, increasing their protected list to four.
- Seattle and Vancouver will select a minimum of seven players each, until both teams have reached a 12-player roster. If one team enters the expansion draft with fewer signed players from the pre-draft window, it will be granted additional selections to reach 12. The order in which teams will make their selections will be “determined at a later stage.”
The PWHL officially unveiled its first wave of expansion to Seattle and Vancouver last month, adding to the original six markets in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Minnesota, Boston and New York. PWHL Seattle will play at Climate Pledge Arena, with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken playing a supporting role. The Vancouver team will play at Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.
Advertisement
Expansion comes less than two years after the PWHL’s launch in January 2024, and after a wildly successful inaugural season, which included record-breaking attendance and better-than-projected revenues. An expansion draft is the norm when any professional sports league grows. Most recently, the WNBA had one in December 2024. The NWSL, meanwhile, has done away with a draft altogether — both expansion and entry — to give players more agency in their team choices.
The PWHL’s expansion draft is unique given the rules are far more favorable to its newest franchises than its original six. In the WNBA, teams could protect six players from being selected by the Golden State Valkyries, which largely drafted role players with the league’s biggest stars safe from selection.
In the PWHL, however, with only three-to-four protection slots, top players at all three positions will be available. For example, if the Montreal Victoire were to protect Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey and Ann-Renée Desbiens before the signing period, that would leave forward Jennifer Gardiner and defenders Erin Ambrose and Cayla Barnes available.
According to the league’s release, the process has been structured “to promote competitive balance and provide the two new PWHL teams with the opportunity to build a strong foundational roster.”
The league also revealed that the New York Sirens will get the No. 1 pick in the entry draft, which is being hosted in Ottawa on June 24. The Sirens won the Gold Plan, but it was previously unclear whether the expansion teams would jump the line and get the top selections. The full draft order will be confirmed at a later date, according to the release.
Note: A complete list of players available for protection is here.
(Photo courtesy of the PWHL)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Yankees show they still run New York with Subway Series victory over Mets
NEW YORK — The Mets, en route to Game 1 of the Subway Series, got stuck in traffic.Even with a police escort, it took the team bus around 80 minutes to inch the 10 miles between Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. More than $1 billion in ballplayers, crawling through Friday afternoon gridlock, headed to the most anticipated game of their season so far.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSuch is life in the Big Apple. Often, money can reroute that reality, overcoming life and the city’s pesky inconveniences. It can skip lines, craft shortcuts and open doors.That’s what Mets owner Steve Cohen has done, using his billions to usher in a new era of Mets baseball. A lifelong fan of the club, Cohen has transformed his organization into one of the game’s best. Signing Juan Soto away from the crosstown Yankees over the winter for $765 […]
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Hunter Sallis, G, Wake Forest
For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide.Hunter Sallis, G, Wake ForestHeight: 6-5 • Weight: 185 • Class: Senior • Age: 22Summary: Sallis is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity, and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementComparisons: Donte DiVincenzoStrengthsShot creation: Slippery ball-handler who is quick but also knows how to deceive opponents with head and ball fakes. He can decelerate, stop on a dime for pull-ups in the paint, or use half-spins to get to the rim. He always looks like he’s in control.At-rim finishing: Gorgeous paint scorer with soft touch from any angle off either foot. He can dunk when given space to elevate, but primarily […]
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens to coexist as WR1 options? Why duo’s complementary styles are perfect fit
Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys now have one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL following the post-draft trade acquisition of the explosive George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers to pair with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. So will they be able to coexist and not get frustrated if one eats into the other's targets? A question many are likely wondering, given Pickens' reputation of having a short fuse, and Lamb enjoying his ability to lead the NFL in targets over the last two seasons with 333 since 2023. That's 11 more targets than the next-closest player, New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson and his 322. Over the weekend, Lamb went on the record to make clear his position that he and Pickens will thrive together and not dim each other's respective shine. "We're both ones," Lamb said at Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray's charity softball game, via DLLS […]
Vampeta aponta possível “vítima” do Palmeiras na Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa: “Um dos ricos”
Vampeta, comentarista da Jovem Pan (Reprodução) Vampeta, em projeção sobre o Mundial de Clubes, mostrou animação com o duelo entre Palmeiras x Porto. Levando em conta o nível mais fraco do Campeonato Português em relação ao Brasileirão, o ex-jogador vê margem para o clube paulista somar três pontos. Diante do oponente fora das cinco grandes ligas, houve uma sinalização de equilíbrio em campo. “É um bom equilíbrio. O Palmeiras pega Flamengo, Internacional, Grêmio… o Porto pega Tondela, Rio Ave, Portimonense, Casa Pia… vamos ver esse duelo! Um dos mais ricos da América contra um dos ricos de Portugal.”, disse o Velho Vamp, no Bate-Pronto, da Jovem Pan. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Não está indo (enfrentar) Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid ou Premier League. Eu quero ver esse duelo. Vai ser muito interessante.”, acrescentou. Eficiência do Palmeiras Líder do Brasileirão, o Palmeiras mostrou, novamente, […]
K ligovému bronzu mají po prvním utkání blíže basketbalisté Olomoucka
Olomoucko vyhrálo první čtvrtinu 23:14 a pak už náskok kontrolovalo. Američan Noah Carter přispěl k vítězství 26 body, další tradiční olomoučtí střelci John-Michael Wright s Langstonem Wertzem jich přidali po 16. Děčín zdolali hosté v pátém vzájemném duelu sezony podruhé, opět na jeho palubovce.Obhájce bronzu Děčín skončil po nadstavbě v tabulce šestý o jednu příčku nad svým dnešním soupeřem, který ve čtvrtfinále nečekaně vyřadil druhou Opavu. V play off byli Severočeši blízko k postupu do finále, ale rozhodující sedmý zápas v Brně těsně prohráli.Zápas o 3. místo v play off basketbalové ligy mužů - 1. zápas:Děčín - Olomoucko 74:89 (14:23, 35:42, 56:65)Nejvíce bodů: Davidson 18, Štěrba 13, Pomikálek 11 - Carter 24, Wright a Wertz po 16, Žák 14.
How Nick Sirianni won over the Eagles and the skeptical city of Philadelphia
Ralph Vacchiano NFL Reporter <!--> Hiring Nick Sirianni was a mistake. That’s undeniably how it looked on his first day on the job. It was bad enough that he was an unknown replacing a Super Bowl-winning coach. But he also looked unprepared and uncomfortable in his first press conference. He gave long, rambling answers that made little sense and struggled with some of the names.That wasn’t just an outside perspective or the view of a skeptical Philadelphia media either. It was the view of the Eagles players. As Brandon Graham recalled last year, "He said all the wrong things."Four years later, nobody really remembers much of what Sirianni said. Because since then he’s done almost everything right.That’s why Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie announced on Monday that he had signed the 43-year-old Sirianni to what surely is a lucrative, multi-year contract […]
Related
Yankees show they still run New York with Subway Series victory over Mets
NEW YORK — The Mets, en route to Game 1 of the Subway Series, got stuck in traffic.Even with a police escort, it took the team bus around 80 minutes to inch the 10 miles between Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. More than $1 billion in ballplayers, crawling through Friday afternoon gridlock, headed to the most anticipated game of their season so far.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSuch is life in the Big Apple. Often, money can reroute that reality, overcoming life and the city’s pesky inconveniences. It can skip lines, craft shortcuts and open doors.That’s what Mets owner Steve Cohen has done, using his billions to usher in a new era of Mets baseball. A lifelong fan of the club, Cohen has transformed his organization into one of the game’s best. Signing Juan Soto away from the crosstown Yankees over the winter for $765 […]
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Hunter Sallis, G, Wake Forest
For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my NBA Draft Guide.Hunter Sallis, G, Wake ForestHeight: 6-5 • Weight: 185 • Class: Senior • Age: 22Summary: Sallis is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity, and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementComparisons: Donte DiVincenzoStrengthsShot creation: Slippery ball-handler who is quick but also knows how to deceive opponents with head and ball fakes. He can decelerate, stop on a dime for pull-ups in the paint, or use half-spins to get to the rim. He always looks like he’s in control.At-rim finishing: Gorgeous paint scorer with soft touch from any angle off either foot. He can dunk when given space to elevate, but primarily […]
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens to coexist as WR1 options? Why duo’s complementary styles are perfect fit
Getty Images The Dallas Cowboys now have one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL following the post-draft trade acquisition of the explosive George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers to pair with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. So will they be able to coexist and not get frustrated if one eats into the other's targets? A question many are likely wondering, given Pickens' reputation of having a short fuse, and Lamb enjoying his ability to lead the NFL in targets over the last two seasons with 333 since 2023. That's 11 more targets than the next-closest player, New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson and his 322. Over the weekend, Lamb went on the record to make clear his position that he and Pickens will thrive together and not dim each other's respective shine. "We're both ones," Lamb said at Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray's charity softball game, via DLLS […]
Vampeta aponta possível “vítima” do Palmeiras na Copa do Mundo de Clubes da Fifa: “Um dos ricos”
Vampeta, comentarista da Jovem Pan (Reprodução) Vampeta, em projeção sobre o Mundial de Clubes, mostrou animação com o duelo entre Palmeiras x Porto. Levando em conta o nível mais fraco do Campeonato Português em relação ao Brasileirão, o ex-jogador vê margem para o clube paulista somar três pontos. Diante do oponente fora das cinco grandes ligas, houve uma sinalização de equilíbrio em campo. “É um bom equilíbrio. O Palmeiras pega Flamengo, Internacional, Grêmio… o Porto pega Tondela, Rio Ave, Portimonense, Casa Pia… vamos ver esse duelo! Um dos mais ricos da América contra um dos ricos de Portugal.”, disse o Velho Vamp, no Bate-Pronto, da Jovem Pan. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Não está indo (enfrentar) Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid ou Premier League. Eu quero ver esse duelo. Vai ser muito interessante.”, acrescentou. Eficiência do Palmeiras Líder do Brasileirão, o Palmeiras mostrou, novamente, […]
K ligovému bronzu mají po prvním utkání blíže basketbalisté Olomoucka
Olomoucko vyhrálo první čtvrtinu 23:14 a pak už náskok kontrolovalo. Američan Noah Carter přispěl k vítězství 26 body, další tradiční olomoučtí střelci John-Michael Wright s Langstonem Wertzem jich přidali po 16. Děčín zdolali hosté v pátém vzájemném duelu sezony podruhé, opět na jeho palubovce.Obhájce bronzu Děčín skončil po nadstavbě v tabulce šestý o jednu příčku nad svým dnešním soupeřem, který ve čtvrtfinále nečekaně vyřadil druhou Opavu. V play off byli Severočeši blízko k postupu do finále, ale rozhodující sedmý zápas v Brně těsně prohráli.Zápas o 3. místo v play off basketbalové ligy mužů - 1. zápas:Děčín - Olomoucko 74:89 (14:23, 35:42, 56:65)Nejvíce bodů: Davidson 18, Štěrba 13, Pomikálek 11 - Carter 24, Wright a Wertz po 16, Žák 14.
How Nick Sirianni won over the Eagles and the skeptical city of Philadelphia
Ralph Vacchiano NFL Reporter <!--> Hiring Nick Sirianni was a mistake. That’s undeniably how it looked on his first day on the job. It was bad enough that he was an unknown replacing a Super Bowl-winning coach. But he also looked unprepared and uncomfortable in his first press conference. He gave long, rambling answers that made little sense and struggled with some of the names.That wasn’t just an outside perspective or the view of a skeptical Philadelphia media either. It was the view of the Eagles players. As Brandon Graham recalled last year, "He said all the wrong things."Four years later, nobody really remembers much of what Sirianni said. Because since then he’s done almost everything right.That’s why Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie announced on Monday that he had signed the 43-year-old Sirianni to what surely is a lucrative, multi-year contract […]
Be the first to leave a comment