The Vegas Vanguards have assembled a rookie class that combines elite playmaking, goal-scoring ability, and international experience. They hope to establish an offensive identity as they enter their inaugural season.
Of the team’s eight selections in the 2026 PWHL Draft, six were forwards, including two first-round picks. With the third and fifth overall selections, Las Vegas landed forwards Tessa Janecke and Lacey Eden, two players who bring impressive offensive resumes to a newly assembled roster.
Janecke is coming off a productive season at Penn State, recording 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points in just 31 games. But her offensive production is only part of what makes her such a valuable addition – Janecke showcased her ability to impact the game in all three zones by dominating in the faceoff circle, winning 65.8 percent of her draws.
Eden is coming off her best collegiate season with the Wisconsin Badgers. She leads this rookie class in offensive production, tallying 77 points in 41 games, netting 29 goals and 48 assists. She finished her collegiate career with 245 points, making her one of the most accomplished offensive players in this draft class.
Both players bring more than just offensive prowess and firepower to Las Vegas. Janecke captured Olympic gold with Team USA in 2026. Eden left Wisconsin as a four-time NCAA national champion. Their championship experience and ability to contribute at both ends of the ice make them important pieces of the Vanguards’ inaugural roster.
Las Vegas will likely need both first-round selections to play significant roles in establishing its offensive identity.
We’ve already seen rookies make an immediate impact across the league. Take last year’s third overall pick, forward Casey O’Brien of the New York Sirens. In 28 games last season, O’Brien led all rookies with 22 points, recording seven goals and 15 assists.
And she wasn’t alone. Last year’s first overall pick, fellow Sirens teammate and forward Kristýna Kaltounková, led all rookies in goals, finding the back of the net 11 times in just 21 games.
It’s that kind of offensive production Las Vegas will be counting on from its headline forwards as they look to establish an offensive identity.
The Vanguards added even more scoring potential with second-round selection Issy Wunder. The Princeton standout is coming off a career-best season, recording 27 goals and 16 assists for 43 points. She also earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors, making her another proven offensive threat in Vegas’ the rookie class.
As the draft progressed, Las Vegas continued to add depth at forward, selecting Josefin Bouveng, Alexis Petford, and Sydney Healey.
Bouveng brings an international presence to the roster after a successful collegiate career with the University of Minnesota, where she recorded 142 points in 143 games. She also represented Sweden on the international stage at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Petford and Healey round out the rookie forward group. Both demonstrated their scoring ability during their final collegiate seasons, each finding the back of the net 18 times. Their contributions could become important as Vegas looks to generate offense beyond its top lines.
With the season approaching, four of Las Vegas’ six rookie forwards have signed Standard Player Agreements, locking them in through the 2027-28 season. Janecke, Eden, Bouveng, and Wunder have all secured contracts, while Petford and Healey have yet to sign.
While much of the attention will fall on the first-round selections, establishing consistent production throughout the lineup will be just as important. Getting contributions from the third and fourth lines could help separate a team with scoring depth from one that relies too heavily on its top players.
Collegiate success doesn’t automatically translate to the professional game. Speed, physicality, and competition of the PWHL will present an entirely different challenge. But the talent is certainly there – now, the question is how quickly this rookie class can turn that potential into production and help put Las Vegas women’s hockey on the map.
