Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Inaugural PWHL rosters dominated by college hockey alumnae

More than 90 percent of league’s players played NCAA hockey

Inaugural PWHL rosters dominated by college hockey alumnae
Taylor Heise was selected No. 1 overall by Minnesota in the inaugural PWHL Draft (Photo: University of Minnesota Athletics).

The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) six franchises announced their final rosters for the league’s inaugural season Tuesday and 91 percent of the rostered players are NCAA alumnae.

Each of the six teams named rosters of 26 players, including three on each roster who are signed to Reserve Player Contracts. One team has an additional player currently listed on long-term injured reserve. Of those 157 total players, a whopping 143 of them are former college hockey standouts. Two PWHL rosters – Boston and Minnesota – are comprised entirely of NCAA alumnae.

The PWHL’s 143 former college hockey players represent 32 different schools and hail from nine different countries. Fourteen NCAA programs have at least five alumnae on PWHL rosters, led by Wisconsin (16), Minnesota Duluth (13), Minnesota (12) and Clarkson (10).

The PWHL will drop the puck on its inaugural season on New Year’s Day when Toronto hosts New York at Mattamy Athletic Centre. Each of the league’s six teams will play its home opener during the first two weeks of January.

Click HERE to view the entire list of NCAA alumnae on PWHL rosters. Visit ThePWHL.com for complete league rosters and additional information.