Where Have All The Draft Picks Gone?

Just over two months have passed since the PWHL draft, and as of writing, only 13 of the 48 players selected have signed with their respective teams. Many high-profile draft picks, including four first-round picks, have yet to sign (or have a signing announced) - and it's easy to start wondering when, and even if, they will.

It's not necessarily unusual for teams to not sign their draft picks immediately. No doubt, some of these players will have to fight for a roster spot in training camp, or else prove themselves worthy of a contract there. That's certainly understandable, especially for some of the later picks - but there are some high-caliber players here that should raise some eyebrows.

It starts at the top, with first-overall pick Kristýna Kaltounková and the New York Sirens. Kaltounková is representing Czechia at the Euro Hockey Tour later this month and attended Olympic camp last month. But she - and in fact, all of the other Sirens draft picks - have yet to sign. That also includes third-overall pick Casey O'Brien, who did a CCM photoshoot with Sirens gear, and nine players in total. Pascal Daoust... you've got some work to do.

Similarly, the Montréal Victoire have yet to sign any of their draft picks. Nicole Gosling, who went fourth overall, and Natálie Mlýnková, the team's second-round selection, are both unsigned. PWHL Vancouver is in the same boat, with Michelle Karvinen, Nina Jobst-Smith and Madison Samoskevich all unsigned, among others. The Toronto Sceptres have signed Emma Gentry, but still have five picks to sign. (Sara Hjalmarsson signed with Linköping on August 5, but the contract has a PWHL out clause.)

On the other side, there are teams who have been signing their picks. The Ottawa Charge wasted no time and have inked contracts with all but one of their picks, Peyton Hemp.

The Minnesota Frost have locked up three of their six picks - their top three. The Boston Fleet signed their top two picks in Haley Winn and Ella Huber. PWHL Seattle has signed two of its six picks - again, its top two, in Jenna Buglioni and Hannah Murphy.

Still, there are so many unsigned draft picks, and a limited number of roster spots remain on each of the respective teams for them. At times, we've seen women's leagues not necessarily announce signings as soon as they happen, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. (After all, why would anyone want to wait to announce the signing of their first-overall pick?)

As the days go by and hockey season grows ever closer, it's hard not to wonder how many of these players we won't see in the PWHL this season. How many will sign before camps open - and how many will be left to fight for a contract when the players hit the ice?

Unsigned Draft Picks by Team

• Boston Fleet: Olivia Mobley, Riley Brengman, Abby Newhook, Amanda Thiele
• Minnesota Frost: Ava Rinker, Vanessa Upson, Brooke Becker
• Montréal Victoire: Nicole Gosling, Natálie Mlýnková, Skylar Irving, Maya Labad, Tamara Giaquinoto
• New York Sirens: Kristýna Kaltounkova, Casey O'Brien, Anne Cherkowski, Makenna Webster, Dayle Ross, Maddi Wheeler, Callie Shanahan, Anna Bargman, Kaley Doyle
• Ottawa Charge: Peyton Hemp
• PWHL Seattle: Lily Delianedis, Jada Habisch, Lyndie Lobdell, Olivia Wallin
• PWHL Vancouver: Michelle Karvinen, Nina Jobst-Smith, Brianna Brooks, Madison Samoskevich, Chanreet Bassi
• Toronto Sceptres: Kiara Zanon, Clara Van Wieren, Sara Hjalmarsson, Hanna Baskin

Signed Draft Picks by Team

• Boston Fleet: Haley Winn, Ella Huber
• Minnesota Frost: Kendall Cooper, Abby Hustler, Anna Segedi
• Montréal Victoire: none
• New York Sirens: none
• Ottawa Charge: Rory Guilday, Anna Shokhina, Sarah Wozniewicz, Sanni Ahola, Fanuza Kadirova
• PWHL Seattle: Jenna Buglioni, Hannah Murphy
• PWHL Vancouver: none
• Toronto Sceptres: Emma Gentry