The Wisconsin Badgers Take Over the PWHL Draft in Detroit
Badgers Boast 5 First Round Picks, More Than Any Other Team
The University of Wisconsin Badgers took over the opening round of the 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Draft at Detroit’s Fox Theatre on Wednesday night. The Badgers claimed nearly half of the first round, with five.
The night kicked off with superstar defender Caroline Harvey going first overall to Vancouver. Later, followed by Laila Edwards at fourth to San Jose and Lacey Eden at fifth to Las Vegas. Toronto snagged Kirsten Simms at eighth overall, with defender Vivian Jungels capping off Wisconsin's first round run at eleventh overall to Ottawa.
Vancouver Goldeneyes — Caroline Harvey (Defender, Wisconsin)
After failing to make the playoffs, it was evident that one of Vancouver's weaknesses was its inability to score on the power play, with the league's lowest power-play percentage. While the expansion process was kinder to them than to other existing teams, it did result in two of their top four defenders leaving for expansion teams, leaving a gaping hole in their defensive core. Luckily, the consensus 1st overall pick in this year's draft was Caroline Harvey, a defender from Wisconsin.
Caroline Harvey earned her reputation as one of the best defensive players at the University of Wisconsin, playing an elite two-way game. Harvey’s strengths are her solid skating, vision, and passing. She is able to deceive her opponents using her skills and help her team exit from their defensive zone. Then she will help open passing lanes for her teammates, setting up goals.
Her exceptional skill has even drawn comparisons to hockey royalty Bobby Orr. Matthew Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist, had some high praise after watching her in person at the 2026 Winter Olympics. “Caroline Harvey’s like Bobby Orr,” Tkachuk said, “She was the best player on the ice, and felt like, by a lot, like she was incredible.” A great honor to be compared to a Hall of Fame defenseman.
Harvey's two-way game is just what Vancouver needs. Harvey will be able to plug into Vancouver's top defensive pair, as her skills will help improve Vancouver's poor breakouts.
It is rare for a player in any professional league to have won the accolades that Harvey has, let alone accomplish them before being drafted into their respective professional league.
This year alone, she anchored Team USA to Olympic gold in Milano-Cortina and was named tournament MVP. She captained Wisconsin to an NCAA National Championship, her third NCAA title, and won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given to the top female NCAA ice hockey player. Recently, she was named IIHF Female Player of the Year, and to cap off her season, Harvey was deservedly drafted 1st overall by Vancouver.
PWHL San Jose — Laila Edwards (Winger/Defender, Wisconsin)
PWHL San Jose emphasizes the importance of versatile playmakers and skill players. Edwards is the most versatile player in this draft, being able to play as either a forward or a defender, a trait that not many players possess.
Standing 6'1, Edwards is indeed a highly talented athlete who can fit into any spot the team needs at any given time. While at the University of Wisconsin, Edwards primarily played as a forward and was among the best power forwards, with her scoring and physical play being major assets to her game. However, to give Team USA a better defender on their roster during the Olympics, Edwards moved positions and helped win the gold medal by effectively shutting down the opposition.
What makes her performance at the Olympics playing defense more impressive is that she has never actually played a full season exclusively as a defender. Spending a full season learning the details of the position could elevate her game even more.
Her endless potential has earned her the highest praise from the biggest star. “Laila is the future of the sport,” said Hilary Knight, Team USA’s captain. “I think you’re seeing someone who’s coming into her skill set and just scratching the surface.”
The best part about Edwards is her coachability and flexibility regarding where she lines up. She has openly embraced her hybrid player identity, reiterating that she is open to playing either on a given night if needed.
As an expansion team, PWHL San Jose needs a young, talented foundational player who can also set the tone for how the team carries itself, and Edwards’ team-first mentality fits exactly that.
PWHL Las Vegas — Lacey Eden (Right Winger, Wisconsin)
Lacey Eden being drafted fifth overall served as a clear sign of where the franchise is headed. Following their draft pick of superstar center Tessa Janecke, third overall, the Las Vegas franchise is intentionally developing a solid core of forwards who are physically tough and defensively reliable to build around their star center.
Eden is a proven winner at the college level. In her final season with the University of Wisconsin, she led the team in scoring with 77 points over 41 games and ultimately won her fourth NCAA title. This year, she had to overcome heavy adversity when she was the final cut from the 2026 U.S. Olympic roster. Instead of complaining, she stepped up as Wisconsin's undisputed leader, carrying the team while her teammates were in Milan.
Wisconsin’s Head Coach Mark Johnson praised Eden’s work ethic and focus after being cut from the Olympic roster. “Give her a lot of credit because we watched her yesterday and we watched her again today, there was a lot of determination and grit.” Her mental toughness is an uncoachable character trait that any team would love to have. Las Vegas didn't just draft elite skill; they drafted an incredibly resilient leader ready to win at the highest level.
Toronto Sceptres — Kirsten Simms (Left Winger, Wisconsin)
Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time due to the team's inability to score, finishing the season scoring the fewest goals in the league. Toronto’s lack of scoring didn’t stem from a lack of opportunity but from an inability to convert those opportunities, resulting in an incredibly low 6% goal-to-shot conversion rate. In comparison, Minnesota registered only one more shot on goal, but managed to score 30 more goals than the Sceptres this season. An already offensively struggling team saw three of its best forwards leave to join expansion teams. Toronto needed an immediate offensive threat to replace the talent they lost.
Kirsten Simms was arguably the best pure value pick of the round at No. 8. A part of the powerhouse Wisconsin team, she has helped lead the Badgers to three NCAA championships and established herself as one of college hockey's most dangerous playmakers and scorers.
She also has a “clutch” gene, scoring both the late-game tying goal on a penalty shot and the overtime game-winning goal in 2025 when Wisconsin beat Ohio State for the NCAA National Championship.
When Head Coach Mark Johnson was asked about who was taking the penalty shot, he said, "A couple players mentioned Kirsten, and then the ownership was hers.”
When the game is on the line, there is no greater validation for a player than the immediate unquestioned trust of their own team. Her vision, puck skills, and ability to deliver in big moments make her an ideal addition for a Scepters team looking for more of that scoring touch.
Ottawa Charge — Vivian Jungels (Defender, Wisconsin)
A tough couple of months for Ottawa, as they lost again in the Walter Cup Finals and then lost their captain and two of their best players to expansion. While they had holes on both sides, Ottawa addressed their key defensive need by drafting defender Vivian Jungels from the University of Wisconsin.
Jungels is a dependable defender with a strong hockey sense and championship experience. Often overlooked by casual fans since she played most of her collegiate career with superstar D-partner Caroline Harvey. Jungels quietly smoothed opposing offenses and ended her college career with a high plus-rating.
Ottawa General Manager Mike Hirshfeld was asked about the draft, to which he said, “Of all the defenders in the draft, we thought her hockey IQ was really astute,” he continued. “We think she’s going to be an impact defender in this league.”
Her steady defensive game and ability to protect and hang onto the puck also make her a natural fit for Ottawa Head Coach Carla McLeod’s possession-focused system. Under Ottawa’s organization, she has the potential to develop into a top-four defender at the professional level.