It’s that time of the year again. The top talent looking to enter the professional women’s hockey league is coming together for the entry draft. This year, over 230 players are looking for a home in the PWHL. Of that number, 127 of them are from NCAA programs. And of the 127, 35 have entered from Hockey East, the second-most of any conference.
Today, we’re taking a look at who I believe are the names to look out for from HEA programs. From the top-scoring senior to a former player of the year to teammates whose draft stock skyrocketed this season, there’s a little of everything. I’ll make a case for each one. Then, on June 17, we’ll see if the general managers agree with me at the PWHL draft in Detroit.
HM: Megan Woodworth, UConn | Berwick, Nova Scotia
When you see the rest of this list, you’ll probably be thinking I skewed heavily in Connecticut’s direction. And, honestly, you’re correct in that thought. However, based on the overall skillset of the Huskies in the draft, I had to highlight them here.
This leads me to my honorable mention: Megan Woodworth. The 22-year-old played four seasons at UConn, and was a fairly consistent presence on the scoresheet. In 136 career games, Woodworth registered 61 points, including a career-high 27 this year. What stands out in particular about her offensive output is its steady increase as she progressed. The longer Woodworth played in Storrs, the better she became, and it led to her being the fifth-highest scoring player for UConn this past season. A season that saw a high level of success for the program.
What makes her an honorable mention and not a top-five player, however, is that she didn’t have the versatility at center. Woodworth played predominantly on the wing this season, which may lead to some reservations from general managers. At the same time, this is a player who’s not afraid to get in front of the puck when needed. Her 41 blocks were the most of any forward on her team, and it speaks highly of her ability to put her body in the right spaces at the right time. Any team drafting her will be getting a responsible player with offensive upside, even if she has less versatility for positioning in the lineup.
1. Lily Shannon, Northeastern | Andover, MA
For any GM, if you’re looking for a physical puck mover with a natural ability to read the play anywhere on the ice, Shannon is the player for you. After a solid junior season, Shannon broke out in her final year at Northeastern, scoring 19 goals and 43 points. She was a key contributor to the power play, and was integral on the penalty kill, a role she has thrived in.
At 5-foot-11, her height makes her a perfect net-front presence, enhancing her puck-moving ability along the boards. While her faceoffs aren’t the strongest part of her game, she has grown into a strong presence at center. Her 389 wins at the circle were second most in Hockey East, and are a strong jump up from her 111 as a junior.
What always stood out to me about Shannon is her overall growth. During her freshman season, I never foresaw the player she was set to become. Teams will be getting a hard working, multi-dimensional player with a proven track record of improving her game. It might take her a second to settle into the faster speed of play, but I think she’ll be a valuable asset on and off the ice to any team that picks her up at the draft.
2. Kyle Josifovic, UConn | Burlington, Ontario
If any player heavily impacted their draft stock this year more than Josifovic, I would be shocked. The Ontario-born forward was a solid presence for UConn over her first three years, before catapulting her production for her final season. After 28 points in 99 games to start her career, Josifovic scored 40 in 39 games in 2025-26. This firmly cemented her as the fourth-highest scorer in HEA. What was key to that production? Sixteen goals, including six on the power play — tied for second-most in the conference.
Similarly to Woodworth, Josifovic is a pure winger, and has been throughout her college career. What separates her however, is her height. Per Connecticut, Josifovic was 5-foot-11 when the season started, making her one of the tallest forwards in the conference. That skill combined with her ability to be anywhere on the ice is enticing to any general manager, and it makes her primed to go as one of the first forwards from HEA. Add in her leadership abilities — this season UConn saw a championship and NCAA tournament victory while she was a captain — and I see a prime candidate for the PWHL.
3. Reichen Kirchmair, Providence | Oakville, Ontario
While Josifovic saw a meteoric rise, I think Kirchmair’s season may have led to some people forgetting about her. And forget her they should not have.
In her junior season, Kirchmair led HEA in points with 37, was named conference player of the year, and has been consistently a top producer for Providence overall. This past season, her production took a step back. However, I’d argue that it was caused less by her and more by the team around her. The Friars were young, and Kirchmair had more responsibilities outside of just offensive production. For that reason, I do believe she is still a highly valuable asset for any team looking for an all-around talent in the draft pool.
One thing that stands out particularly is her power play scoring. Providence had 13 goals on the advantage this season. Kirchmair had five of those goals. Throughout her four seasons the forward was a difference maker, and that should carry nicely into the PWHL. She has a bit of height as well at 5-foot-8, which adds to her advantage. If you’re looking for a bottom line player who can play shutdown minutes, Kirchmair had plenty of development in that area this past year at Providence. The offensive output should also come back into play, and that makes her a perfect all around candidate for any of the 12 franchises.
4. Brooke Campbell, UConn | Essex, Ontario
Our third UConn forward on the list is, you guessed it, a center. Campbell doesn’t have as high an offensive upside as her teammates, but what draws me to her is her faceoff prowess. Only two other players won more faceoffs in Hockey East this year than Campbell, with 385 total wins. She has consistently been a player UConn turns to in the dot, and it’s resulted in her being one of the most reliable centers in Hockey East.
Additionally, it’s not as though she doesn’t have an offensive side. Campbell had 20 points in 39 games this season, a sizable tick up from her mark in 2024-25. Two of her seven goals were scored on the power play, and she’s not often the cause for her team to go down a skater. Across 137 games at UConn, Campbell made just seven trips to the sin bin. She’s reliable, can step into the play at any part of the ice, and knows how to play cleanly. With teams looking for reliable centers for their bottom six, Campbell can be that perfect player.
5. Sydney Healey, Boston University | Arthur, Ontario
I don’t think I need to say that BU had a tough season offensively. But a player on their roster who didn’t was Healey, who had her best season of her four years on Comm Ave. As a senior, Healey had a team-leading 18 goals and 29 points, over 10 points clear of her next closest teammate. Her strongest skillset was her ability to take advantage of open space while short handed. Her four goals while on the disadvantage was the most of any player in HEA in 2025-26. This after she had never scored a SHG in her three previous seasons.
There’s a lot to like about Healey’s game. She can play at any strength, a worthwhile asset. And, similarly to Kirchmair, she had a lot of development this year when it came to playing in her own end, something I think can be tapped into in the pros. Healey can also rise up in big moments, just look at how she performed in the Hockey East playoffs the last two seasons. When her team needs her most, she takes control of the situation. It’s a worthwhile asset to have, and it’s a reason I think teams should give her a long look before the draft.
Wrap Up
There are a lot of solid names in the NCAA, and there are a lot of great names in Hockey East particularly. These are just a few, and only at the forward position. Think there are names we missed? Looking for pieces on players from other conferences? Don’t worry — those are coming soon. Be sure to keep an eye out, especially for more on Hockey East prospects from yours truly. Until then, there’s plenty of PWHL content to keep you busy, from the draft to expansion. We’ve got you covered from here on out.
