When Seattle Torrent general manager Meghan Turner talks about wanting her team to play a “heavier” game in Year 2, she’s not just talking about building the biggest roster in the PWHL.
Turner laid out her vision during the expansion process, and the description was much more specific than simply adding size.
“We have to play a punishing game to other teams,” Turner told reporters on June 4. “We have to be heavy in the D zone, we have to be relentless in the offensive zone and solid in our transition games.”
She later pointed to the Boston Fleet as an example of the type of pressure Seattle wants to create.
“We want to play a fast, punishing, heavy game where teams feel like they can’t even get their footing under them going forward.”
That distinction matters when evaluating Seattle’s draft needs.
The players the Torrent chose to protect and retain throughout expansion offer clues about what Turner values. Alex Carpenter, Julia Gosling, Danielle Serdachny, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, and Anna Wilgren are not all traditional power players. They share a willingness to battle for pucks, attack the interior, and make opponents work for every inch of ice. Seattle’s version of “heavy” appears to be built on several things. It values pace, pressure, puck retrievals, and winning contested areas rather than simply adding the biggest players available.
With the 2026 PWHL Draft approaching, the next question becomes: Which prospects best fit that identity?
The dream scenario: Laila Edwards
At this point, Seattle fans have made their feelings known.
If the Torrent end up selecting Laila Edwards, there will likely be celebrations across the Pacific Northwest. If they miss out despite finishing second in the Gold Plan standings, there may be a collective meltdown.
The league released the official draft order on Monday, despite the draft being just two days away. Still, many fans spent weeks hoping, threatening, and correctly assuming Seattle will pick second overall behind Vancouver.
It’s easy to understand why Edwards has become the fan favorite.
The Wisconsin star declared for the draft as a defender despite spending significant time at forward throughout her collegiate career. That versatility alone makes her one of the most intriguing players available.
At 6-foot-1, Edwards naturally draws attention because of her size. But her fit in Seattle’s system has less to do with being physically imposing. Rather, it has more to do with how she plays. Edwards is an elite athlete who can skate, win races, and impact the game in all three zones. She is not a traditional power player who overwhelms opponents through sheer physicality. Nor is she a player who gets pushed around. Instead, she combines size, skill, and compete level in a way few prospects can.
If Seattle’s goal is to become faster, more relentless, and harder to play against, Edwards checks nearly every box. And if Seattle lands Edwards in the first round, finding players who complement that style becomes the next challenge.
Prospects who fit Seattle’s identity to keep your eye on
While it’s a high possibility the Torrent give every fan their wish and pick Edwards, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared. It’s likely that the following players are all (deservedly) taken in the first round, but great examples of the kind of players Turner is describing for her vision of the 2026-2027 Seattle Torrent.
Emma Peschel (Ohio State University)
If Seattle uses its first-round selection on Edwards, adding additional defensive depth later in the draft could become a priority. Emma Peschel presents an intriguing option.
The Ohio State defender served as captain of one of the NCAA’s premier programs and earned All-American honors during her collegiate career. She logged significant minutes, blocked shots, and played a key role on a team that consistently competed for national championships.
Turner emphasized the importance of being heavy in the defensive zone and strong in transition. Peschel’s experience in a fast-paced, highly structured program could make her an attractive fit if Seattle looks to reinforce its blue line.
Nelli Laitinen (University of Minnesota)
Few defenders in this draft class can match Nelli Laitinen’s combination of NCAA and international experience.
The Finnish defender arrives with one of the strongest international résumés in the draft class. Laitinen debuted with Finland’s senior national team as a teenager and has since helped her country win four World Championship medals, including silver in 2019 and bronze medals in 2021, 2024, and 2025. She also represented Finland at the 2022 and 2026 Olympics, winning bronze in Beijing.
At Minnesota, Laitinen developed into one of the NCAA’s most productive offensive defenders. After posting 22 points in 42 games as a junior, she took another step forward in 2025-26 with 10 goals and 30 points in 33 games. Her offensive growth has been accompanied by strong defensive results and leadership responsibilities, serving as captain for the Gophers and wearing an alternate captain’s letter for Finland at the 2026 Olympics.
For Seattle, the appeal is obvious. Turner has emphasized the importance of strong transition play, smart decisions around the blue lines, and defending the middle of the ice. Laitinen’s combination of international experience, offensive upside, and dependable two-way play aligns well with those priorities.
Vivii Vainikka (Brynäs, SDHL)
One challenge Seattle faced during its inaugural season was finding consistent offense beyond its top players. If Seattle is looking for additional scoring without sacrificing the style Meghan Turner wants to build, Vivii Vainikka may be one of the most intriguing options available outside the first round.
The Finnish forward enters the draft after helping Brynäs IF capture its first SDHL championship while earning playoff MVP honors. Vainikka scored 13 points in 10 playoff games, including the championship-clinching goal, and followed a 44-point season with Luleå by producing 40 points in 36 games for Brynäs.
What makes Vainikka particularly interesting for Seattle is the way she generates offense. Despite standing 5-foot-5, she has built a reputation for protecting pucks effectively in traffic and maintaining possession below the goal line. She thrives in tight spaces, creates offense around the crease, and consistently finds teammates in dangerous scoring areas. Her 29 assists led the SDHL during the regular season, highlighting her ability to drive offense as both a scorer and a playmaker.
The Torrent general manager emphasized the importance of winning puck battles, being first to loose pucks, and creating offense from the interior. Vainikka’s success has not come from playing on the perimeter. Instead, she excels in the difficult areas of the ice where possessions are extended and scoring chances are created.
There is, of course, some projection involved. Like any player coming from the SDHL, Vainikka will have to adjust to a faster game played on smaller ice surfaces. Recent history has shown that success in Sweden does not always translate immediately to the PWHL.
Still, among the international forwards available, Vainikka may offer one of the clearest combinations of proven production, playmaking ability, and offensive creativity. If Seattle believes it can help her make the transition, she could become an important piece of the scoring depth Turner says the Torrent need to add.
Elisa Holopainen (Frölunda HC, SDHL)
The Finnish winger arrives as one of the most accomplished offensive players in the draft. After starring in Finland and Sweden, Holopainen led the SDHL with 27 goals and 192 shots in 2025-26 while finishing among the league’s top scorers. She also has extensive international experience, including multiple World Championship medals and an Olympic bronze medal with Finland.
What makes Holopainen intriguing for Seattle is her ability to create offense. She plays with speed, generates a high volume of shots, and has a track record of delivering in big moments, including key goals for both Frölunda and Finland.
At 5-foot-5, her game relies more on skill and skating than physicality, and the transition from the SDHL to the PWHL can be challenging. Still, if Seattle is looking to add speed and proven scoring to its lineup, Holopainen could be an appealing option beyond the first round.
The draft could reveal what Seattle really learned from Year 1
The expansion process forced Seattle to make difficult decisions, but it also revealed what the organization values. The players who remain suggest the Torrent are building around players who compete hard, get to the interior, and force opponents into uncomfortable situations.
That’s why the most interesting question entering the draft may not be who Seattle selects. It may be whether those selections confirm Turner’s vision of a fast, punishing, relentless team that can wear opponents down over 60 minutes.
If the names called by Seattle resemble Edwards, Peschel, Vainikka, Holopainen, and Laitinen, the answer will likely be yes.
