Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Vancouver Clinches No. 1 Pick in 2026 PWHL Draft Under Gold Plan

The rest of the draft order remains unsettled pending the PWHL's expansion plan.

Overview

  • Vancouver locked up the top pick Saturday after a 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota and Seattle's 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal, taking the tiebreaker on more regulation wins after elimination.
  • The PWHL uses the Gold Plan, which gives eliminated teams points in their remaining games and awards the first pick to the team with the most points.
  • The No. 1 slot gives Vancouver the chance to draft defender Caroline Harvey, a 23-year-old Wisconsin star who won Olympic gold and MVP, the Patty Kazmaier Award, and posted 64 points in 33 NCAA games.
  • The league has signaled plans to add two to four teams, and it will set the remaining draft order later, a delay that some staff fear could disadvantage current non-playoff clubs.
  • Montreal, Boston, Minnesota and Ottawa made the Walter Cup Playoffs, which begin Thursday, April 30, at the Tsongas Center, and Montreal will select its semifinal opponent on Sunday.