Vancouver Goldeneyes Draft Caroline Harvey No. 1 in 2026 PWHL Entry Draft
Updated
Updated · Detroit News · Jun 17
Vancouver Goldeneyes Draft Caroline Harvey No. 1 in 2026 PWHL Entry Draft
3 articles · Updated · Detroit News · Jun 17
Summary
Caroline Harvey went first overall to the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Wednesday night at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, topping a 12-team, six-round PWHL draft.
The Wisconsin defenseman entered as one of the class’s biggest names after earning MVP honors for the U.S. women’s gold-medal team at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Harvey tied for the Olympic tournament lead with 9 goals and 7 assists and posted a best-in-tournament plus-14 rating, underscoring why Vancouver used the No. 1 pick on her.
The first round also sent Abbey Murphy to Seattle at No. 2, Tessa Janecke to Las Vegas at No. 3 and Kirsten Simms to Toronto at No. 8, with several Wisconsin teammates going early.
Host expansion club Detroit did not pick in the first round after trading the No. 3 selection for Hilary Knight, then opened its draft by taking Swiss goalie Andrea Brändli at No. 15.
Will the PWHL's rapid four-team expansion create a league of haves and have-nots?
Is the PWHL's unique 'Gold Plan' draft system the future of sports, or a flawed experiment?
Did Detroit sacrifice its future by trading a top pick for veteran superstar Hilary Knight?
Caroline Harvey Headlines 2026 PWHL Draft as Vancouver Goldeneyes Build for the Future
Overview
The 2026 PWHL Entry Draft on June 17, 2026, saw the Vancouver Goldeneyes, the league’s first expansion team, make the highly anticipated first overall pick: Caroline Harvey. Her selection was widely expected, as she was recognized as the top prospect in women’s hockey. Despite finishing sixth among eight teams last season, Vancouver secured the coveted pick thanks to the league’s innovative Gold Plan, which rewards competitive teams that miss the playoffs. Harvey’s arrival marks a major milestone for the Goldeneyes, positioning her as a foundational player for the team’s future success.