PWHL Draft: Goalie Watch List

Being a goaltender heading into the 2025 PWHL Draft, things will certainly look grim. Across the league, among projected starters and backup netminders, only three positions could be up for grabs next season as Elaine Chuli, Maddie Rooney, and Emma Soderberg's contracts will expire. Any of those three however, could re-sign reducing the number of goaltending positions available. Each of the league's six third goaltender roles will be available, but they come almost exclusively without the opportunity to play.

The depth of netminders in the PWHL, however, will not stop the wealth of netminding talent attempting to crack the league. Here's a look at The Hockey News' goalies to watch list of the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Goaltenders in the NCAA

This season Gwyneth Philips, Kayle Osborne, and Raygan Kirk were drafted from the NCAA, while Logan Angers was quickly signed as a free agent. Next season the list of capable netminders coming out of the NCAA is small, particularly following the departure of Michelle Pasiechnyk, the reigning NCAA Goaltender of the Year from the sport. It leaves Sanni Ahola, the starter for St. Cloud State and Finland's senior national team as the best bet to make the jump out of the NCAA. As a European born player however, Ahola will have plenty of alternatives should she want to remain a starter. The other potential candidates from the NCAA are Colgate's Hannah Murphy, Yale's Pia Dukaric, and Minnesota's Skylar Vetter who could all get a look, but most likely as third goalies. Other goalies who could declare for the 2025 PWHL Draft out of the NCAA include Boston University's Callie Shanahan and Ohio State's Amanda Thiele.

Goaltenders in Europe

There are several goalies from outside of North America who are making legitimate cases for spots in the PWHL next season. Andrea Brändli, who is the starer for MoDo in the SDHL, and Switzerland's senior national team is the most compelling player among the group. She's proven herself a star in Europe, and highly capable facing Canada, USA, Czechia, and Finland in international competition. U Sports graduate Camryn Drever is making her own case in Skellefteå AIK, as is former PHF netminder Kassidy Sauve, who has been stellar for SDE. Other goalies to watch in the SDHL include Ena Nystrom (Brynas / Norway), Stephanie Neatby (Frolunda), and Emma Polusny (Leksands).

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