Six Inaugural Teams Secure Key Players Ahead of Exclusive Signing Window and Expansion Draft
NEW YORK & TORONTO – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially announced the 18 protected players from its six inaugural teams, ensuring these athletes are exempt from selection in both the Exclusive Signing Window and the Expansion Draft. This marks the first step in the 2025 expansion process, as PWHL Seattle and PWHL Vancouver prepare for their debut season in 2025–26.
Protected Player Lists
Boston Fleet (3)
- Aerin Frankel (G)
- Megan Keller (D)
- Alina Müller (F)
Minnesota Frost (3)
- Kendall Coyne Schofield (F)
- Taylor Heise (F)
- Lee Stecklein (D)
Montréal Victoire (3)
- Ann-Renée Desbiens (G)
- Marie-Philip Poulin (F)
- Laura Stacey (F)
New York Sirens (3)
- Sarah Fillier (F)
- Ella Shelton (D)
- Micah Zandee-Hart (D)
Ottawa Charge (3)
- Emily Clark (F)
- Gwyneth Philips (G)
- Ronja Savolainen (D)
Toronto Sceptres (3)
- Renata Fast (D)
- Blayre Turnbull (F)
- Daryl Watts (F)
Each team initially protected three players, but once a team relinquishes two players—either through the Exclusive Signing Window or the Expansion Draft—it will be permitted to protect one additional player, increasing the protected list to four. Eligible players must be under contract or have their playing rights secured through the 2025–26 season.
Expansion Process Overview
Exclusive Signing Window – June 4 (9:00 AM ET) to June 8 (5:00 PM ET)
Seattle and Vancouver are granted a five-day exclusive window to sign up to five players, although there is no minimum requirement for signings during this period. Any unprotected player or players on expiring contracts are eligible to be signed.
2025 Expansion Draft – June 9 (8:30 PM ET)
Seattle and Vancouver will each select a minimum of seven players until they reach a 12-player roster. If one team enters the draft with fewer signed players than the other, it will receive extra selections to balance the rosters.
Players eligible for selection include unprotected players under contract or those whose playing rights are held for 2025–26.
Players Available for Fourth Protection, Exclusive Signing Window & Expansion Draft Selection
(Complete lists available upon request.)
Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres all have additional unprotected players eligible for the Exclusive Signing Window and Expansion Draft.
Next Steps
Fans can follow the Exclusive Signing Window starting June 4, with the Expansion Draft, presented by Upper Deck, streaming live on June 9 at 8:30 PM ET via thepwhl.com and the league’s YouTube channel.
