2025 PWHL Draft: Ranking the top 10 players
We’re less than a week away from the 2025 PWHL Draft, and the conversation is heating up on which players will hear their names called.
This year’s draft might not have the unanimous No. 1 compared to last year, where Rookie of the Year Finalist Sarah Fillier was taken first overall by the New York Sirens. However, that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of talent for teams to choose from.
From collegiate stars to European standouts, the eight teams have a lot of athletes to choose from in order to bolster their rosters for the future. Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl scratched out their top-10 prospects for this year’s draft.
Tyler’s picks
1. Haley Winn, D (Clarkson, NCAA)
I know I might be in the minority in having Winn at the top of the board, but allow me to explain.
On a solid, yet underpowered Golden Knights team, Winn was by far the best player on the ice. She’s excellent at both ends of the rink, very similar to what we saw out of Cayla Barnes during her college days. Winn proved she can be an important at both ends of rink, something she’s shown one the international stage with Team USA.
2. Kristyna Kaltounkova, F (Colgate, NCAA)
Now, let me explain why I have Kaltounkova at No. 2…Danielle Serdachny.
Yes, they are two different players, but I now have reservations about whether being a top scorer in the ECAC means anything in the PWHL. Serdachny went from a Patty Kazmaier candidate to a depth player with the Ottawa Charge. I do believe Kaltounkova has the talent to be a star, as we’ve seen on the international stage, but I’m afraid to name her the top prospect because of what we saw this past year.
3. Nicole Gosling, D (Clarkson, NCAA)
I know, I said all that about the ECAC only to pick another player from the that conference. However, Gosling is such a standout defender at Clarkson, playing alongside Winn. The London native was the traditional two-way defender, providing standout defense in her own end, while being able to contribute on the offensive end. Her play earned her a spot on the Canadian National Team last year, something I expect to happen more often in the future.
4. Casey O’Brien, F (Wisconsin, NCAA)
It’s about time we talk about the WCHA. Leading off with the Patty Kazmaier Award winner, O’Brien is going to be an impact player right away. She’s such a tenacious player with and without the puck, finding ways to create scoring chances and being able to finish them as well. The super senior finished with a nation-high 88 points last year, cementing herself as a top prospect.
5. Natalie Mlynkova, F (Minnesota, NCAA)
Everyone was so focused on Abbey Murphy was going in Minnesota this year that they forgot about Mlynkova. She might not have put up the same numbers as Murphy or Ella Huber (more on her in a second), but the Czech product has shown both collegiately and internationally that she can be a threat with whomever she plays with in a variety of roles.
6. Michelle Karvinen, F (Frolunda, SDHL)
Unquestionably the highest-rated player coming into the draft from a European team, Karvinen might be viewed in the same realm as players like Noora Tulus and Maja Nylén Persson were last year. However, Finland’s all-time leading scorer at the IIHF Women’s World Championship has the ability to not only contribute on the scoresheet, but her experience can be crucial for any team with young talent.
7. Jenna Buglioni, F (Ohio State, NCAA)
Everyone had their eyes on what Joy Dunne and Jocelyn Amos were doing in Columbus last year, but Buglioni has the track record of being a versatile offensive weapon. Twice she scored over 40 points with the Buckeyes, helping OSU with its first two national championships as well. Not the biggest player by any stretch, but her shifty skating makes it tough for the opposition to stop her.
8. Ella Huber, F (Minnesota, NCAA)
Back to Minnesota with someone who just fed Murphy pucks all season long. Huber might not be the one to be counted on to score the game-winning goal, but you can bet that she’ll be the one setting it up. Great awareness in the offensive zone and vision that puts her in a higher tier of player. GMs would be remiss if they didn’t take a hard look at using her on the power play.
9. Rory Guilday, D (Cornell, NCAA)
I’d argue that if Guilday were in next year’s draft class, she might be the second-best defender available behind Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey. Sure, she’s not lighting up the scoreboard, but that’s never been her game dating back to her days in Minnetonka. She was the backbone of a blue line on Doug Derraugh’s team that won the ECAC Championship based on strong defensive structure. Guilday thrived in her role, and in a league that’s desperate for more quality defensive defenders, Guilday has the tools to be a key player.
10. Anne Cherkowski, F (Clarkson, NCAA)
Remember how last year’s draft was the Year of the Buckeye? Well, this year is shaping up to feature a number of talented Clarkson stars. While Winn was wowing everyone with her play at both ends of the rink, Cherkowski was quietly one of the top scorers in the ECAC. With 45 points in 40 games, the graduate student finished fifth in the conference in scoring. A playmaker with an ability to put the puck in the back of the net, Cherkowski can be a solid secondary scoring threat right out of the gate.
Hunter’s picks
1. Haley Winn, D (Clarkson, NCAA)
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect defender for the modern game, but that’s what one lucky team will get with Haley Winn. Superb two-way play and elite offensive instincts, the game looks slower to Winn, and everyone else is trying to catch up to her pace. The U.S. National Team member is an immediate top-four defender upon arrival.
2. Casey O’Brien, F (Wisconsin, NCAA)
There was no player more offensively dominant than Casey O’Brien in all of college hockey. The fifth-year forward finished with the most assists and points, winning this year’s Patty Kazmaier Award and leading Wisconsin to a National Championship. She will elevate all her teammates with her playmaking abilities.
3. Krystina Kaltounkova, F (Colgate, NCAA)
Krystina Kaltounkova is a coach’s dream. While some international players struggle on a smaller North American rink, Kaltounkova’s size helps her dictate play, dominating at both ends of the ice. A three-time 50-point scorer in college, this power forward will adapt to the pro game seamlessly.
4. Nicole Gosling, D (Clarkson, NCAA)
It’s impressive that one defensive pairing at Clarkson accounts for the two best defenders in the draft. Winn’s partner, Nicole Gosling, was nearly a point-per-game player in her fourth and fifth seasons, and she was strong enough in her own end to earn a spot on the Canadian National Team. Expect her to log big minutes in a team’s top four.
5. Natalie Mlynkova, F (Minnesota, NCAA)
A strong two-way game and elite small-burst speed, Natalie Mlynkova can either provide an upgrade in a team’s top-six or win every shift on the third line. Despite being 5-foot-3, she has elite positioning and can win any one-on-one battle. It will be fascinating to see what her first professional season is like.
6. Kendall Cooper, D (Quinnipiac, NCAA)
Kendall Cooper’s confidence is through the roof, as she never misses a chance to join in on the rush and make a play. But don’t worry, her skating and hockey IQ allow her to get back in her own end and always make the smart play.
7. Anne Cherkowski, F (Clarkson, NCAA)
Another player whose game is already suited for the pro-style game, Anne Cherkowski will be able to step into a PWHL lineup and wear a number of hats. Her speed and forechecking ability can help her thrive in a bottom-six role, but she can also move into a top role and create for her linemates.
8. Rory Guilday, D (Cornell, NCAA)
In a league with a variety of talented offensive blueliners, Rory Giulday is the prototypical defender’s defender. Her 5-foot-11 frame and long reach take away passing lanes and clear space for her goalie in front of the net. While her offense may be lacking, her defensive skills have earned her a spot on the U.S. National team in three World Championships, winning gold in 2023.
9. Jenna Buglioni, F (Ohio State, NCAA)
Ohio State’s captain for 2024-25, Jenna Buglioni was one of the nation’s most clutch players, leading the country with seven game-winning goals. Buglioni has a strong two-way game and can be an effective penalty killer. Don’t let her 5-foot-3 frame fool you: she’s a relentless forechecker and isn’t afraid to fight for a puck.
10. Michelle Karvinen, F (Frolunda, SDHL)
Perhaps the most intriguing player in the draft, the 35-year-old Michelle Karvinen dominated at the University of North Dakota from 2011 to 2014, then returned to Sweden to become one of the top players in Europe. The Danish-Finnish forward can immediately make an impact on a PWHL team, but just how big of an impact is yet to be known.
The 2025 draft will take place in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 24, beginning a little after 7 p.m. ET.