New York Sirens Face Challenges in PWHL Draft and Expansion

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The New York Sirens will pick seventh overall in the upcoming PWHL draft due to league expansion and a new draft order system that prioritizes playoff performance over regular season record. This lower draft position, combined with the loss of starting goaltender Kayle Osborne in the expansion draft, presents significant challenges as the team seeks to rebuild and stay competitive.

The New York Sirens face significant challenges ahead of the upcoming Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft, following a league expansion and changes to the draft order. Despite finishing with the second-worst record in the 2025 season, the Sirens will select seventh overall in Wednesday’s draft, trailing four expansion teams and the Seattle Torrent.

The league’s draft order was confirmed Monday after remaining unclear for several days. Vancouver Goldeneyes secured the No. 1 pick under new league rules aimed at discouraging teams from losing deliberately—or “tanking”—to gain favorable draft positions. The system, known as the Gold Plan Points, awards the top pick to the team with the highest points earned after elimination from the playoffs, leading to the Goldeneyes receiving the first pick instead of the last-place Seattle Torrent.

Following Vancouver, the Seattle Torrent received the No. 2 pick, with the four expansion franchises—Detroit, Hamilton (Ontario), Las Vegas, and San Jose—picking third through sixth. The New York Sirens follow these teams at seventh, while the Toronto Sceptres hold the eighth and final pick in the first round.

This marks a notable shift for New York, which had previously benefited from top selections in the previous two drafts. The Sirens used their 2024 and 2025 top picks on Sarah Fillier and Kristýna Kaltounková, respectively.

Among the prospects widely regarded as top contenders in the 2026 draft class is Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey, who was named MVP of the 2026 Olympic tournament and is projected as the likely No. 1 overall pick. Other leading candidates include Olympic gold medalists Abbey Murphy, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, and Tessa Janecke. Analysts suggest none of these high-profile players will be available by the time New York makes its selection.

The Sirens will also need to address roster gaps created by the expansion draft, which saw them lose starting goaltender Kayle Osborne to the San Jose franchise. Andrea Brändli, who played a crucial role in helping Switzerland secure a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, is considered a leading goaltender prospect and could be a strategic target for New York in the early rounds.

As the Sirens prepare for Wednesday’s draft, they must navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving league landscape, balancing rebuilding efforts with the need to remain competitive amid increased competition from expansion clubs.