Yahoo Sports 2025 PWHL Draft: October Rankings
NCAA and European seasons are well underway, and already a group of players are making their case to climb the 2025 PWHL Draft rankings. In Europe, players like Viivi Vainikka, Elisa Holopainen, and Hanna Olsson are showing the talent overseas hasn't fully made their way to the PWHL yet. While the North American cohort is better known, there are still questions, including whether or not players like Lacey Eden and Abbey Murphy will be declaring for the draft. Others, like Jenni Hiirikoski, were left off the list altogether due to the unlikeliness of joining the league, but would immediately join the rankings should they make their declaration intentions clear.
The added challenge of differing NCAA schedules is another factor that could cause a rapid change in rankings as the season progresses. While some NCAA teams have crossed the 10 game mark, other have yet to play a single game. Similarly, non-conference action dominated the opening weeks of the NCAA schedule resulting in some lopsided affairs.
Related: 2025 PWHL Draft: Preseason Rankings
With all of those factors considered, here's an updated look at The Hockey News' 2025 PWHL Draft rankings for October 2025.
2025 PWHL Draft Rankings
Abbey Murphy, RW, 2002, Minnesota / Team USA - According to Minnesota, Murphy is undecided on her plans beyond this season. That means the PWHL has not been ruled out. Murphy is a pest, she's got great speed, and game breaking capabilities.
Haley Winn, D, 2003, Clarkson / Team USA - A mobile, right shot defender who is deceptive along the line. She moves extremely well in all directions and puts pucks into spaces where offense can be created. On the small side, but she's shown she can play in physical, fast paced games through her national team performances.
Viivi Vainikka, C, 2001, Lulea / Team Finland - Viivi Vainikka is making her case this season. Despite the fact the Atlantic Ocean is separating Vainikka from the PWHL, she's making sure people take notice. There has not been a game, or shift for that matter, where Vainikka hasn't made an impact this season. She is physically capable, powers away from defenders through open ice to create separation, and when she arrives at the net, she is a finisher.
Nicole Gosling, D, 2002, Clarkson / Team Canada - Rock solid, great first pass and at getting pucks through traffic. Gosling can produce, but more importantly, she chooses her opportunities in a calculated manner. She is equally adept on both sides of the puck. A First Team All-American last season, Gosling will be a stalwart on a PWHL blueline for a decade.
Natalie Mlynkova, LW, 2001, Minnesota / Team Czechia - When you watched Mlynkova play at Worlds last year, she looked like a player with something to prove. She carried the Czech attack, and is one of the better two way forwards, albeit one who can produce at high rates.
Rory Guilday, D, 2002, Cornell / Team USA - Steady without the flash but makes an excellent first pass. With her size and poise, she sometimes looks like Lee Stecklein, but with less offensive upside. She's certainly one of the better defensive defenders in the world. Teams in this league need shutdown players.
Krystina Kaltounkova, C, 2002, Colgate - A physical net front presence who is one of the most pure scorers and producers in the NCAA. Her style is a perfect match for the PWHL and she could become one of the league's top producers in short order. Kaltounkova could end up as a top five pick.
Lacey Eden, RW, 2002, Wisconsin / Team USA - Could easily become a first round pick. Eden is a two way talent who can produce, but also knows how to play a checking role from her time with Team USA. She's probably one of the most underrated players in college hockey.
Casey O'Brien, C, 2001, Wisconsin - Talk about launching herself out of the gate, O'Brien has been producing at an eye-popping pace to open the season with Wisconsin. She could easily climb toward the first round, especially if Eden and/or Murphy return for another NCAA campaign. She sees the ice so well.
Elisa Holopainen, RW, 2001, Frolunda / Team Finland - Holopainen has already answered questions some had. Could she score consistently against stronger competition? Check. Can she handle a more physical league? Check. She still needs to fill out physically before she steps into the PWHL, but her hands, vision, and most of all her shot, are ready to be in the world's best league. The only question mark remaining is when will Holopainen declare? Some believe she won't come until the 2026 Olympics, but it's clear she's capable of the step now.
Michaela Pejzlova, F, 1997, Ambrì-Piotta / Team Czechia - Although she's off to a strong start in Switzerland, Pejzlova's continued choice to play against weaker competition will hurt her draft day stock. At the World Championships, Pejzlova looks highly capable of jumping into the PWHL, but there will be an adjustment. The skill is there.
Hanna Olsson, C, 1999, Frolunda / Team Sweden - After a year of injuries, Olsson looks like she's fully recovered, and back to herself. One of the best European players remaining outside the PWHL, Olsson could be a hidden gem in this draft. She's experienced, and part of an ever improving Swdish national team.
Michelle Karvinen, LW, 1990, Frolunda / Team Finland - The only reason Michelle Karvinen is rated this low, is due to the fact she may not declare, and that she'd likely be the oldest player selected in the draft. Despite that, for the seasons she would be able to give to the PWHL, Karvinen is still a top six player on any team in the league. One of the best in the world, it would be a shame not to see Karvinen come to North America, even for a year or two.
Jenna Buglioni, C, 2002, Ohio State - A model of consistency at Ohio State, the Buckeyes' captain has a strong two-way game. High hockey IQ will allow Buglioni to start lower in a lineup and work her way up. She has started strong for the Buckeyes carrying their offense after massive hits to the team's depth this offseason.
Abby Hustler, F, 2003, St. Lawrence - Is off to a relatively slow start, but there's still a lot to love about Hustler's game. She sees the ice well, which as a major asset the playmaker will bring.
Kiara Zanon, F, 2002, Ohio State - A model of consistency in her NCAA career, Zanon moves well, and knows what it takes to win.
Kendall Cooper, D, 2002, Quinnipiac - Likes to transport the puck from her own end. Picking her spots will be the lesson to learn in the PWHL, so she doesn't get caught up ice at inopportune times. Cooper can also play with an edge.
Anne Cherkowski, C, 2002, Clarkson - She's off to a slow start offensively, but luckily for Cherkowski, and whoever selects the forward, she's highly capable of playing a checking role and contributing as a two-way threat. With the depth of the PWHL's talent pool, there will be teams who covet what Cherkowski brings.
Sara Hjalmarsson, C, 1998, Linkoping / Team Sweden - She's big, and does not shy away from the physical game. Hjalmarsson can also score. Plugging her into a bottom six, and watching to see how her immense upside translates will be fun. Hjalmarsson is also a very strong two-way player who can be counted upon defensively.
Emma Seitz, D, 2000, MoDo - A shifty defender who loves to jump into the play, Seitz is extremely mobile, and could already be in the PWHL. She's the type of person you want in your room.
Skylar Irving, C, 2002, Northeastern - An early climber in the rankings, Irving has shown she can take her game to a higher level when the opportunity presents. She's one of the better two-way forwards in the NCAA.
Reece Hunt, LW, 2001, Lulea - If Hunt continues at her current pace, there may be teams disappointed they didn't take her in the 2024 Draft. Hunt had a good NCAA career, and has adapted seamlessly to the SDHL with Lulea, where she's showing her scoring punch can translate.
Emma Bergesen, D, 1999, SDE - It was surprising to not see a late round flyer too on Bergesen last year. There are a number of U Sports players who were overlooked, but it's hard to miss Bergesen seeing her standout against stronger competition in the SDHL.
Emma Gentry, C, 2002, St. Cloud State - Big bodied forward who could handle herself physically in the PWHL. Likes to get to the net, plays a powerful game. Might get shifted to the wing in the PWHL.
Top 25-50 List
This group of players are expected to enter THN"s PWHL Draft rankings between 25-50, or could climb into the top 24, but have not yet been rated.
Clara Van Wieren, C, 2002, Minnesota-Duluth
Ella Huber, C, 2002, Minnesota
Nina Jobst-Smith, D, 2001, Minnesota-Duluth / Team Germany
Anna Segedi, F, 2000, St. Lawrence
Peyton Hemp, RW, 2003, Minnesota
Jenniina Nylund, LW, 1999, Brynas / Team Finland
Lily Deliandis, F, 2001, Cornell
Vita Ponyatovskaya, D, 2003, Yale
Makenna Webster, RW, 2002, Ohio State
Maddi Wheeler, F, 2002, Ohio State
Neena Brick, C, 2003, Colgate
Mackenzie Kordic, F, 2001, British Columbia
Riley Brengman, D, 2002, Ohio State
Ashley Messier, D, 2002, Cornell
Hanna Baskin, D, 2003, Minnesota-Duluth
Sydney Langseth, F, 2002, Minnesota State
Lyndie Lobdell, D, 2002, Penn State
Morgan Neitzke, F, 2003, Lindenwood
Sarah Wozniewicz, RW, 2002, Wisconsin
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2025 PWHL Goalie Watch List
Sanni Ahola, G, 2000, St. Cloud State*
Andrea Brändli, G, 1997, MoDo / Team Switzerland*
Pia Dukaric, G, 2000, Yale / Team Slovenia
Hannah Murphy, G, 2003, Colgate*
Ena Nystrom, G, 2000, Brynas / Team Norway
Callie Shanahan, G, 2003, Boston University
Amanda Thiele, G, 2002, Ohio State
Skylar Vetter, G, 2003, Minnesota
2025 PWHL Draft Skater Watch List
These players remain on our watch list to enter the top 50. Some may not be rated due to the unlikeliness they'll declare.
Lindsay Agnew, D, 1998, Linkoping
Chanreet Bassi, F, 2001, British Columbia
Brooke Becker, D, 2002, Providence
Lauren Bellefontaine, C, 2000, MoDo
Mia Biotti, D, 2002, Harvard
Kennedy Bobyck, RW, 2001, HV71
Brianna Brooks, F, 2002, Penn State
Maggy Burbidge, F, 2001, HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Andrea Dalen, F, 1992, Frolunda / Team Norway
Jessymaude Drapeau, F, 2000, Concordia
Estelle Duvin, F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France
Sydney Fess, D, 2002, Clarkson
Skylar Fontaine, D, 1998, ZSC Lions
Jenna Goodwin, C, 2003, Clarkson
Alexie Guay, D, 2001, MoDo
Jada Habisch, F, 2002, Connecticut
Leah Herrfort, F 2001, Waterloo
Jenni Hiirikoski, D, 1987, Lulea / Team Finland
Linnéa Johansson, RW, 2002, Lulea
Kira Juodikis, F, 2003, New Hampshire
Courtney Kollman, F, 2000, HC Davos
Ida Kuoppala, RW, 2000 Skelleftea AIK
Maya Labad, F, 2002, Quinnipiac
Elizabeth Lang, F, 2000, HC Davos
Darcie Lappan, LW, 2001, MoDo
Julia Liikala, F, 2001, Ambri-Piotta
Sophie Lundin, F, 2000, Frolunda
Jaycee Magwood, RW, 1997, Lulea
Kylee Mahoney, F, 2003, Mercyhurst
Sarah Marchand, F, 2003, St. Lawrence
Tory Mariano, D, 2003, Northeastern
Nadia Mattivi, D, 2000, Lulea / Team Italy
Alyssa Mcleod, F, 2002, St. Lawrence
Olivia Mobley, RW, 2001, Ohio State
Jamie Nelson, F, 2002, Minnesota State
Abby Newhook, F, 2003, Boston College
Maggie Nicholson, D, 2002, Minnesota
Emily Nix, RW, 1998, SDE
Emma Nordin, F, 1991, Lulea
Kaitlyn O'Donohoe, RW, 2001, Brynas
Sydney Pederson, D, 2003, Mercyhurst
Maude Pepin, F, 1999, Bishop's
Brette Pettet, F, 1999, Djurgardens
Marianne Picard, C, 2002, Wisconsin
Ava Rinker, D, 2002, Connecticut
Clara Rozier, F, 1997, SC Bern / Team France
Maddy Samoskevich, C/D, 2002, Quinnipiac
Millie Sirum, F, 2003, Providence
Haruka Toko, C, 1997, Linkoping / Team Japan
Vanessa Upson, F, 2003, Mercyhurst
Emilia Vesa, LW, 2001, Frolunda
Rachel Weiss, F, 2001, HV71
