vencav / Depositphotos.com
Hamilton’s new Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise continues to take shape as the league prepares for the 2026 PWHL Draft today in Detroit.
The expansion club will hold the sixth overall pick in the six-round draft after the league announced the official order of selection. Hamilton follows expansion teams Detroit, San Jose and Las Vegas, along with Vancouver and Seattle, in the opening round.
The draft comes after Phase 4 of the league’s Expansion Player Distribution Process, which saw Hamilton complete its 10-player roster. The team added four players during the phase, signing defender Riley Brengman, forwards Abby Hustler (Canadian) and Peyton Hemp, and defender Allyson Simpson. Hemp joined through the Expansion Roster Completion process after Hamilton made the final selection of the phase.
With its initial roster now established, Hamilton enters the draft looking to add more young talent before its inaugural 2026-27 campaign. The expansion franchise is one of four new teams joining the league this season.
The PWHL next moves into an exclusive re-signing period for existing teams before open free agency begins June 19. The 2026 PWHL Draft gets underway this afternoon at 5 p.m. ET from Detroit’s Fox Theatre.
