Top Five NCAA Forwards in the 2025 PWHL Draft

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Happy draft season everyone! Can you believe we’re already at the third annual PWHL draft? I sure can’t. But I guess when they say time flies when you’re having fun, it really rings true. 

Today we’re taking a peek at five forwards that stand out from the NCAA who could go high in this year’s entry draft. A total of 115 players — forwards, defenders, and goaltenders — have declared from both the Division I and Division III ranks this year, including some very popular names near the top.  

The list as follows is not listed in any particular way, and does not reflect the order in which I expect them to be drafted. 

Kristýna Kaltounková, Colgate University, ECAC 

As one of the top prospects before the NCAA season even started, Kaltounková had a solid fifth and final year as a Raider, finishing second on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 48 total points. While yes, this is a step down from the nearly 60 points she produced a season ago, Kaltounková is a force to be reckoned with every time she steps on the ice. 

Outside of her overall productivity, the forward from Czechia is a wizard on the puck at all times and in all places. Her 478 faceoff wins were good for fourth-most in Division I this year, and won her nearly 65% of her total draws — up from her 58% in 2023-24, and from 52% the year before that. 

What stands out most to me is Kaltounková’s willingness to get in front of the puck. With 75 blocked shots this season, she far and away led the team in the category, and has taken major steps since blocking just 12 a season ago. 

This is a player unafraid to get in the way, and unafraid to get after what she wants. Her skill and physicality speak for itself, and put together, Kaltounková is going to be a dangerous addition to anyone’s lineup. 

Casey O’Brien, University of Wisconsin, WCHA 

Look, I didn’t think O’Brien’s draft capital could get any higher than it already was heading into this season: and then it did. 

After posting 73 points in 41 games last season — and coming just shy of back-t0-back national titles — O’Brien was already a shoe in for a top spot in the 2025 draft. Then, as a fifth-year, the Milton, Massachusetts born forward returned to Wisconsin, won another national title, put up 88 points (a new single-season record for the Badgers), and won a Patty Kazmaier award to cap it all off. 

Yeah, I think it’s safe to say her draft capital is even higher now. 

Across 183 games as a Badger, O’Brien had a total of 274 points, the most in program history. While a solid goal scorer, her primary bread and butter has been play making, with 177 of those points being assists. In 2024-25 there was a bit of a drop off in her total number of shots taken, with 125 compared to 165 in 2023-24, however the accuracy of those shots improved, with a 20% clip. 

Similarly to Kaltounková, O’Brien is solid in the dot as well. She finished second in total faceoff wins this season with 538, and has been a top performer at the dot since she first started at Wisconsin back in 2020. 

This is a player that shines in big moments, and delivers whenever necessary. I’m excited to see how she performs in the PWHL, because I know the second O’Brien gets there, she’s going to make a difference for her team. 

Ella Huber, University of Minnesota, WCHA 

As a captain for the Gophers this season, Huber continued the productivity that she saw last season and even expanded upon it, cementing herself as a top player in the NCAA. In 42 games played she had a career-high 48 points, including 33 assists; over 35% of her career total. 

What I like about Huber is not just her versatility, but also her hockey IQ and her leadership skills. While she may not have some of the same faceoff win numbers as the rest of the players on this list, and while she may not be as flashy as fellow Gopher Abbey Murphy (who notably did not declare for this years draft), Huber is a steady presence in the lineup and is nifty on the puck in all situations. 

Something in particular that draws me to her game is her ability to produce while short handed. Minnesota as a whole had six shorthanded goals this season, which wasn’t the most for a single team but considering the depth of the power plays in the WCHA is still impressive. Huber had two of those tallies, and had two additional goals on the power play as well. She’s proven her ability to play in any situation at any time, and that I think is a key piece for teams to keep in mind when looking for players that stand out. 

Anne Cherkowski, Clarkson University, ECAC

The second ECAC name on this list hails from another upstate NY team, this time in the form of the Golden Knight’s Cherkowski. 

In 40 games this season, the British Columbia-born forward put up 45 points, the second most of anyone on Clarkson and the most of any forward. After a single season at Minnesota, Cherkowski spent four years in the green and gold, only getting better and better with every passing season. While her point total this season isn’t the highest of her career (that would be the 52 points back in 2022-23), she has consistently been one of the most productive goal scorers, amassing 59 total over four seasons. 

One of the biggest growths we’ve seen from Cherkowski this season, similarly to Kaltounková, is the willingness to step in shooting and passing lanes more often. While Cherkowski has often blocked shots throughout her time at Clarkson, this season’s 53 total blocks was third most on Clarkson, and doubled her total from a season ago. 

Additionally, there’s the element of Clarkson’s power play prowess that any Golden Knight drafted this year will bring to the PWHL. Cherkowski is one of many players that saw success on the lights out PP this season, with six goals on the advantage alone. Yes, Clarkson altogether amassed 37, but Cherkowski was a key contributor, and that should be high on every general manager’s radar. 

Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State University, WCHA

The final name on this list is Buglioni from OSU, another team captain who led her team to a strong season in 2024-25. In five years with the Buckeyes, Buglioni scored 166 points — becoming just the sixth OSU player to hit 150 points all-time — won two national championships, a WCHA tournament title, and even sang the national anthem at her own senior night. 

Buglioni is short, at just 5′ 3, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in hockey IQ and overall skill. She finished third on the team in scoring this season, with 42 points, including 17 goals. Three of said goals came on the penalty kill, tied for third most in the NCAA. 

While she wasn’t the highest producer on her team or in the NCAA, Buglioni has been one of the most consistent players in Division I during her time. She managed to hit at least 38 points in three of her five NCAA seasons, and is as dependable as can be. 

The only concern I have would be about that height, but considering the height she played against in the WCHA — and mainly how well she succeeded in the WCHA for years — if I was a GM it wouldn’t concern me too much. 

A skilled, highly intelligent forward who can produce in multiple situations? Buligoni has it all, and that should have her high on the boards come draft night.