2025 Top 25 Under 25: Hannah Bilka (9)

After a successful rookie pro season in the PWHL, forward Hannah Bilka jumps four spots in the Top 25 Under 25 rankings this year to #9.

2024-25 Season

Here's what Boston Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer had to say about Bilka last summer, after the fourth-overall 2023 draft pick signed a three-year deal with the team:

Hannah is a dynamic skater who will dictate the pace of play and drive her line. She has elite vision and playmaking ability, and we expect her to create a ton of offense for us.

This pre-draft feature from the NHL's Dallas Stars highlights Bilka's career and background before joining the PWHL:

One of the rising stars of @usahockey is forward Hannah Bilka, a 22 year old from Coppell, expected to be one of the top picks of the next @thepwhlofficial draft 👏

A proud product of #TexasHockey, today, we celebrate Hannah's journey for #NGWSD2024!@OhioStateWHKY |… pic.twitter.com/2ljYL3EOem

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 7, 2024

The 24-year-old Coppell, Texas native made her pro debut last season with the Fleet. Unfortunately, a promising rookie season was stifled by injury—but it certainly did look promising. Bilka made her debut on the Fleet's top line, playing alongside Hilary Knight and Alina Müller. After a few games on the second line, she was promoted back to the top line and played eight consecutive there with Knight and Susanna Tapani.

With nine points through her first 13 games, Bilka was in a good position, both figuratively and literally—until the Rivalry Series. In the fourth game of the Series, Bilka suffered a lower-body injury. The Fleet put her on long-term injured reserve on February 12; she missed 14 games before being activated on April 26.

She returned for the final three games of the season and added two points, finishing her rookie year with 11 points (5-6-11) in 16 games. She averaged 20:29 ice time per game.

Past and Future

Before going pro, Bilka played four years at Boston College, captaining the team in her senior season. She finished her collegiate eligibility with a fifth year at Ohio State. In her final season, she put up 48 points in 39 games with the Buckeyes. Her NCAA career saw her register 175 total points, including 104 assists, in 160 games across the two programs.

She's represented the United States on the international stage since 2017, having appeared in multiple U18 series and the U18 Women's Worlds, the U22 series, Rivalry Series and at Women's Worlds. An Olympic hopeful, Bilka was invited to this summer's USA Hockey Women's National Festival in Lake Placid.

Looking ahead, the Fleet left Bilka exposed in the PWHL expansion draft, and she was scooped up by PWHL Seattle with the team's second selection (and third overall). Just one year into her three-year contract, she'll now get a fresh start on a brand-new team — albeit with some familiar teammates. She's joined by fellow former Fleet (and former linemate) Knight, along with Lexie Adzija and Emily Brown.