TGIF because that means it’s another Hockey Friday! Melissa Burgess from The Ice Garden (TIG) here this week, bringing women’s hockey news to your inbox.
It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks in the PWHL, between the expansion roster process, the draft and the upcoming open free agency period. Seventy-two players heard their names called at Wednesday’s PWHL draft, but for more than one reason, June 17, 2026 may just go down as one of the biggest days in Caroline “KK” Harvey’s life.
In the afternoon, she was named IIHF Female Player of the Year, an outstanding honor bestowed previously to superstars like Marie-Philip Poulin, Hilary Knight and Natalie Spooner. In the evening, she became a member of the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes, drafted first overall.
Neither really came as a surprise, but both serve as a pleasant reminder of just how talented the 23-year-old is and the bright future that lies ahead, even if she’s hesitant to focus on the individual accolades.
“It really takes a village,” Harvey said. “It takes your teammates, your coaches, your family — all the support. So for me, that stuff [the individual awards] doesn’t matter. I’m just super excited for this league and stepping into that next year.”
The IIHF Female Player of the Year award is given annually to a player who “best exemplifies exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice during the preceding season.”
Harvey made history when the award was announced by the IIHF, winning the title by a landslide vote. She received 77.3 percent of the votes — including mine — after an outstanding season both domestically and internationally. That’s the largest margin of win in the award’s (albeit young) history. She’s also the first defender to win the award, and the first collegiate player to win.
She’ll be presented with the award from the IIHF at a later date, likely during the PWHL season.
(Photo courtesy of the PWHL)
There’s no doubt Harvey deserves every accolade she’s getting.
This past season, she was second on the Badgers in scoring with 64 points, including 46 assists. She set a new career high in both markers, while matching her career high in goals (18). (Did I mention… she’s a defender?!) Wisconsin won the NCAA championship, and Harvey was named a first-team All-American. She finished her collegiate career by winning the Patty Kazmaier Award.
Equally as impressive — or perhaps even more so — was her Olympic play.
She not only won a gold medal with Team USA, but absolutely dominated across the board. Her nine points tied for most among all skaters, and she led the team with seven assists. She was named to the Olympic all-star team, best defender and most valuable player. She also finished with the best plus-minus.
She’s long been touted as the projected first-overall pick, but for her, it was never a guarantee.
“You have no idea until you officially hear it, and this draft class is just so deep, with so many phenomenal players,” Harvey said in her post-draft press availability. “Anyone could get picked at any time. I’m just honored to hear my name called in general, and it’s just a surreal feeling. I had no idea – it could have been anyone – but just grateful to have my name called.”
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To make it an even more special day, Harvey also got to watch her best friend, Laila Edwards, get drafted. Edwards was selected just a few slots later by PWHL San Jose with their first-ever pick.
“It’s such a special moment, and I’m so proud,” Harvey said. “Watching her journey, I’ve known her since she was 10 and really going through all the different phases of growing up. Now, to see her become a professional and embark on that journey, it’s so special. I was just so proud of her.”
Harvey has already shown how well-rounded a player she is, both among her peers and playing alongside other national team stars. Now, she’ll get the chance to translate her game to the professional level and skate both with and against plenty of familiar faces. I certainly hope she gets the chance to soak it all in and enjoy these moments; if what’s happened so far is any indication, she’s got a promising career ahead.
Catching up on women’s hockey
Laila Edwards headlines PWHL San Jose’s inaugural draft class by Eli Fastiff
2026 PWHL Draft recap: Toronto Sceptres by Melissa Burgess (me!)
Helping women’s hockey’s next generation (Saroya Tinker) by FOX 2 Detroit
Kim Weiss, a Potomac, MD native, named head coach of PWHL Las Vegas by RMNB
Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Hockey: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Gymnastics: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer
