The PWHL Draft is set to be a good one for New England.
Several locals could hear their names called. At the top of that list is Caroline Harvey, the consensus top pick.
The hype around Harvey (Salem, N.H.) has always been high. It’s grown even more since Team USA’s gold-medal run at the Olympics, followed by her winning the Patty Kazmaier and a third national title with Wisconsin.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes will have the right to select her first overall. They secured the top selection after winning the PWHL’s Gold Plan, which ranks teams based on how many points they accumulate after being eliminated from the playoffs.
Several other locals boosted their stock this season. Of note, the region’s prospect pool isn’t short on defenders.
As the PWHL Draft, set for June 17, nears, here are our rankings of the New England natives.
LEGACY: In terms of legacy, it's hard to top Caroline Harvey at Wisconsin
1. Caroline Harvey
Wisconsin, 10/14/2002, D, left shot, 5-8
Hometown: Salem, N.H.
Harvey is already one of the best players in the game, and she’ll give Vancouver (most likely) a generational talent on the blue line. The NAHA product became the fifth New England native to win the Patty Kaz as the NCAA’s top player, posting a career-high 64 points (18 goals) as a senior. She wrapped up her Wisconsin career as the program’s all-time points leader among defenders with 201 points (147 assists) in 150 games. The Olympic MVP can drive play on defense with her world-class speed, skating and playmaking.
2. Sydney Morrow
Minnesota, 4/12/2004, D, right shot, 5-7
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
A product of Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Morrow has logged heavy minutes over the last two seasons at Minnesota. She can play in any situation and drive offense with her smarts, mobility and puck skills. After just eight points in 33 games as a freshman at Ohio State, Morrow put up 107 points in 115 games over three seasons between Colgate and Minnesota, reaching the 30-point mark in each.
3. Lily Shannon
Northeastern, 8/21/2003, F, right shot, 5-11
Hometown: Andover, Mass.
Shannon, a former Governor’s Academy and Boston Junior Eagles standout, had her best season yet as a senior at Northeastern, posting 45 points (20 goals) in 40 games and captaining the Huskies to the Frozen Four. She finishes her NU career with 92 points (45 goals) in 144 games. Shannon improved her production with each season, too, and her size makes her an intriguing prospect. She was a Hockey East First-Team All-Star.
PWHL EXPANSION: Mass. native Meghan Duggan tabbed to lead PWHL Hamilton
4. Jules Constantinople
Northeastern, 7/3/2003, D, left shot, 5-5
Hometown: East Haven, Conn.
Constantinople also had a career season with the Huskies, posting 24 points (seven goals) in 40 games en route to Hockey East Defender of the Year honors. The Williston Northampton and Connecticut Polar Bears product continues to boost her stock with her decision-making. She led Hockey East with 89 blocked shots, too. She had 63 points in 143 NCAA games. Constantinople was a Hockey East First-Team All-Star.
5. Emerson O’Leary
Princeton, 1/16/2004, F, right shot, 5-7
Hometown: Southborough, Mass.
O’Leary, a former Assabet Valley and Nobles standout, was a consistent producer and playmaker in four years at Princeton. After 11 points as a freshman, she put up back-to-back seasons with 32 or more points before a 24-point (22-assist) senior season as the Tigers reached the national tournament. She’s posted 22-plus assists in each of the last three seasons. O’Leary had 103 points (80 assists) in 129 NCAA games.
6. Katie DeSa
Penn State, 1/21/2004, G, catches left, 5-8
Hometown: Pawcatuck, Conn.
DeSa is fresh off backstopping Penn State to the Frozen Four. As a senior, she set the program’s single-season wins record, going 27-4-0 with a 1.36 goals-against average, which ranked second in the nation. She also led the NCAA with 12 shutouts, while her .936 save percentage ranked ninth among starters. DeSa, a St. George’s and Boston Junior Eagles product, won back-to-back Atlantic Hockey America Goaltender of the Year awards as a junior and senior. In four seasons with the Nittany Lions, she went 64-13-3 with a .932 save percentage and a 1.43 GAA.
2026 AWARDS: Men’s college hockey | Women’s college hockey | Girls prep | Boys prep | Girls MIAA | Boys MIAA
7. Mary Kate O’Brien
Minnesota-Duluth, 8/22/2002, F, left shot, 5-4
Hometown: Wilbraham, Mass.
O’Brien’s details and high compete help set her apart. She had 17 points (14 assists) in 38 games as a redshirt senior, captaining the Bulldogs to a national tournament berth. It followed a career season with 25 points (18 assists) in 2024-25. O’Brien, a former Williston and Bishop Kearney standout, capped her collegiate career with 64 points (22 goals) in 162 games.
8. Georgia Schiff
Cornell, 3/27/2004, F, left shot, 5-9
Hometown: Montpelier, Vt.
Schiff broke out for a career season as a senior, posting 28 points (12 goals) in 33 games for the Big Red. The NAHA product is a strong presence down low and can do damage around the net. She had 61 points (28 goals) in 126 collegiate games.
9. Kristina Allard
Northeastern, 5/15/2003, D, right shot, 5-4
Hometown: Kingston, N.H.
Allard, a former St. Paul’s and East Coast Wizards standout, posted a career-high 16 points (14 assists) in Northeastern’s blue line as a senior assistant captain. Allard, who was a Hockey East Second-Team All-Star this season, had 26 points in 116 collegiate contests.
INSIDE THE PROCESS: What it’s like to be recruited in women’s college hockey
10. Jade Arnone
Boston College, 5/4/2004, D, left shot, 5-11
Hometown: Sherborn, Mass.
Arnone is a towering presence at 5-foot-11. She had nine points (two goals) as a senior captain at BC. The St. Paul’s and Boston Junior Eagles product had eight points (three goals) as a freshman at Harvard before 29 points in 106 games over three seasons with the Eagles.
11. Riley Walsh
Boston University, 1/8/2004, F, right shot, 5-5
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.
Walsh had 10 points (two goals) as a senior at BU, following 17 points (nine goals) as a junior. It followed two seasons at Union with 27 and 22 points, respectively. Before BU, the Vermont Academy product put up back-to-back 20-point seasons at Union, posting 49 points (26 goals) in 66 games.
12. Maeve Carey
Boston University, 4/28/2003, D, right shot, 5-4
Hometown: Gloucester, Mass.
Carey is an intense, high-compete defender. She captained BU and led the Terriers with 68 blocked shots. The Austin Prep and Cushing Academy product put up 26 points in 76 games in her first two seasons with Stonehill. She had nine points in 67 games as an upperclassman at BU.
‘THE REAL WORK STARTS’: What comes next after committing to play college hockey?
