The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Seattle has officially welcomed its inaugural draft class, marking a significant step in building their team for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The 2025 PWHL Draft, presented by Upper Deck, took place on June 24 and saw Seattle select six players to add to their talent pool. These draftees will join the 16 players already under contract from the PWHL Expansion Draft and player signing period.

The Draft Picks

Here’s a look at the players who will be joining PWHL Seattle:

• Jenna Buglioni (Forward, Ohio State University): With the eighth overall pick in the first round, Seattle selected Jenna Buglioni. Buglioni expressed her excitement on Instagram, calling it "the greatest honor" to be drafted by Seattle. During her time at Ohio State, Buglioni showcased her playmaking abilities and leadership potential, serving as team captain in her final season. In 38 games, she scored 17 goals and assisted on 25 others, totaling 42 points. Over her five years at Ohio State, she played 139 games and recorded 128 points.
• Hannah Murphy (Goaltender, Colgate University): In the second round, with the 15th overall pick, Seattle selected their first-ever goalie, Hannah Murphy.
• Lily Delianedis (Forward, Cornell University): Seattle chose Lily Delianedis with the 24th overall pick in the third round. In her last season at Cornell, Delianedis played 35 games, scoring 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points.
• Jada Habisch (Forward, University of Connecticut): With the 31st pick in the fourth round, Jada Habisch was selected. During her last season at Connecticut, she played 36 games, achieving 16 goals and 6 assists, also totaling 22 points.
• Lyndie Lobdell (Defense, Penn State University): In the fifth round, Seattle picked defender Lyndie Lobdell with the 40th overall selection. In her final season at Penn State, Lobdell played 38 games, recording 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points.
• Olivia Wallin (Forward, Minnesota Duluth): Rounding out their draft, Seattle selected Olivia Wallin with the 47th overall pick. Wallin played 39 games in her last season with Minnesota Duluth, scoring 16 goals and 24 assists for a total of 40 points.

Building a Competitive Roster

General Manager Meghan Turner expressed satisfaction with the draft picks, stating that they complement the existing group of players from both drafts. Turner also highlighted the excitement of bringing the team to Seattle, emphasizing the enthusiasm of the women's hockey fans in the city. The team is aiming high, with aspirations to win a championship in their first year.

Prior to the draft, Seattle had already made significant strides in building a strong team. During the PWHL Expansion Draft, they selected seven players, including Aneta Tejralova and Hannah Bilka. They also signed Hilary Knight, Danielle Serdachny, Cayla Barnes, Alex Carpenter, and Corinne Schroeder during the league's exclusive signing window for expansion teams.

With a mix of experienced players and promising rookies, PWHL Seattle is shaping up to be a formidable team in the league. The team's forward lineup boasts offensive talent, with several players having represented their countries in international competitions. The defense is also strong, with players like Cayla Barnes and Aneta Tejralova capable of jumpstarting the offense.

As the 2025-26 season approaches, PWHL Seattle is poised to make a splash and compete for the championship.