Pre-Draft Check-In with PWHL Seattle

The hubbub of the first-ever PWHL Expansion Draft has come to an end, and one conclusion is clear: PWHL Seattle made out like a bandit. 

The American half of the two newest franchises made some savvy decisions in both the initial signing period and the expansion draft, building the skeleton of a roster that may have a good chance at the Walter Cup right out of the gate. However, Seattle general manager Meghan Turner isn’t done yet. The general free agency period opened on June 16, and the 2025 entry draft is coming up on June 24. 

What They Have

Elite forward core

Once the protection lists were revealed, including some surprising and notable names left available, Seattle quickly snapped up veteran proven performers like Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter during the initial signing period. Knight is coming off a 29-point season that saw her named a finalist for Forward of the Year and regular season MVP. She may be 35, but the year-to-year improvement she showed with the Boston Fleet suggests Knight still has a lot of scoring, as well as leadership, to add to Seattle’s team. Carpenter is the PWHL’s third-best points-getter, with 43 points in 50 games with the New York Sirens. In a rough season for the Sirens, Carpenter was one of the few bright spots and drove a large part of the team’s offense, so Seattle can rely on her to do the same.

Danielle Serdachny was another addition during the initial signing period. After being drafted second overall in 2024 by the Ottawa Charge, Serdachny didn’t quite meet expectations during her rookie season, scoring 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 38 games with the Charge. She came into the PWHL with an extensive NCAA and international resume, and as a smart, skilled player, a change of scenery might just be what Serdachny needs to get going. 

Hannah Bilka came to Seattle via the expansion draft, but she also fits in the category of a young forward with high upside who might benefit from something different. Bilka finished her rookie year with the Fleet with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 16 games after a February injury cut her season short. Now healthy and in a new city, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bilka have a breakout year.

Young defensive talent

A trio of 2024 draft picks exemplifies PWHL Seattle’s burgeoning defense corps. Cayla Barnes was an initial signing for the American expansion franchise, the only defender signed during that period, and the only player to receive a three-year contract from Seattle. That signifies a lot of trust in Barnes, and it’s rightly deserved. With a long record of NCAA and international success, she continued to thrive as a pro, leading all rookie defenders in points with two goals and eleven assists over 30 games. Puck-moving defenders are always at a premium in the PWHL, so locking down Barnes was a smart choice by GM Megan Turner to give Seattle a strong foundation.

Then there’s Anna Wilgren and Megan Carter, two quietly impactful young defenders selected in the expansion draft. Neither Wilgren nor Carter is as offensively flashy as former teammates like Barnes on the Montreal Victoire or Renata Fast on the Toronto Sceptres, but they don’t need to be. Both are reliable, responsible blueliners who will make it difficult for their opponents to drive offense. When you take young talent like Barnes, Wilgren, and Carter, and add a consistent veteran like Aneta Tejralová, you have the makings of an incredibly strong PWHL blueline. Plus, behind that strong blueline you have a…

Rock-solid starting goalie

New York Sirens fans were heartbroken to see goaltender Corinne Schroeder go, but their loss is Seattle’s big win (sorry, Sirens friends). The 25-year-old Canadian is a consistently excellent netminder, coming off two seasons in New York where she helped save that team from being even worse on paper. In 2024, Schroeder was a nominee for Goaltender of the Year with a .930 save percentage, while she led the league in shutouts with four in 2024-25. She is also third in all-time saves made with 1,005. Schroeder is trustworthy and talented in net, and with a two-year contract in place, Seattle will get at least two very strong seasons out of her. 

What They Got (So Far)

As of June 21, PWHL Seattle has signed four free agents–defender Mariah Keopple and forwards Lexie Adzija, Natalie Snodgrass, and Mikyla Grant-Mentis– as they continue to build a strong, deep roster.  Keopple is a quick-thinking shutdown defender, adding to Seattle’s responsibility on the back end. Adzija and Snodgrass add energy and versatility to the forward depth, while Grant-Mentis brings a dynamic scoring touch that allows her to shine on her own and set up chances for others. Plus, Seattle instantly increased the team style per 60- Keopple has her own clothing line, and Adzija and Grant-Mentis have incredibly stylish tunnel fits. 

What They Need

Since PWHL Seattle is stacked already, yet there is no shortage of available talent, the team from the Emerald City won’t have any trouble fleshing out the rest of their 23-player roster. As I see it, there are two main areas Seattle may be looking to fill through the draft or additional free agent signings. 

Supporting cast of forwards to roll four complete lines

As I mentioned before, Seattle’s forward core includes both proven veteran talent and young players with high ceilings. They’ve started to build this supporting cast through the expansion draft and free agency, but this kind of role can be where a rookie looking to break into the PWHL from the NCAA can thrive. For example, in our TIG mock draft, I picked Anne Cherkowski in the first round, recognizing her skill and ability to enhance others’ play. 

Backup goaltender who can steal starts

With Schroeder as a starter, Seattle’s net is set, but you can’t overlook the importance of a good backup goalie. When injuries struck, rookie netminders like Gwyneth Philips in Ottawa and Kayle Osborne in New York took on big roles, to varying degrees of success. There are several skilled goalies in the 2025 draft, and even though I didn’t think to go that route in my mock draft, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seattle snatch a goaltender. Someone like Sanni Ahola or Hannah Murphy could be just the final piece for a solid first team in the Evergreen State.