Five Surprising Declarations For The 2026 PWHL Draft
There were players we all knew would declare for the 2026 PWHL Draft, whether it was Caroline Harvey or Laila Edwards, but there were others who were far more surprising to see. Here's a look at five of those players.
The 2026 PWHL Draft eligibility list is out. Most of the 235 names to declare were known and expected. Highlighted by players like Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Abbey Murphy from the NCAA, and Petra Nieminen, Viivi Vainikka, and Andrea Brandli from Europe, the stars everyone knew were set to declare for the PWHL Draft, did.
But there were also a handful who know one was fully sure would declare until they did. Here's a look at five of the more surprising names on the 2026 PWHL Draft eligibility list. Meghan Agosta, F, DNP The 39-year-old three-time Olympic gold medalist obviously felt the itch.
It's hard to see a team take a shot anytime early in the draft on Agosta, who hasn't played meaningful games since 2018. She has however, continued playing the game and working as a police officer. Don't count her out, and at worst, declaring gives Agosta the opportunity to walk into camp with Vancouver, her now hometown, and prove she belong.
Her accolades are worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, and capping it off even with a brief comeback in the PWHL would be the cherry on top. Elisa Holopainen, F, Frolunda When Holopainen re-signed with Frolunda in the offseason, most expected it was the end of her PWHL hopes for another year. Not so as it's now clear she had a coveted out clause and will now become a top prospect for the draft to go somewhere in the opening two rounds.