Previous Ranking: 5
2026-27 Team: Vancouver Goldeneyes (PWHL)
Honestly, you’re probably not very surprised to see this player at No. 1. Or at least you shouldn’t be.
Over the last 12 months, Caroline “KK” Harvey was a force to be reckoned with. The defender not only played a key role on the US National team at the Milan Olympics, but then she came back and led the Wisconsin Badgers to yet another national title in the NCAA. Harvey is a superb talent and individual, and it’s shown in everything she’s done on, and also off the ice.
As I just mentioned, Harvey was a part of the gold medal winning team at the Milan Olympics in February. Well, not just a part. She was arguably the best part. In seven games the 23-year-old put up nine points, including two goals. She was then named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. When Harvey is on the ice she can transform the way play is going. Her ability to read play action is superb and it goes along with her top-notch skating to create a well-rounded, incredible player. She often is the fastest player on the ice, and it shows in how she’s able to stifle her opponents at any given time.
Not only is she a standout on the actual defending side of the ice, she’s also an offensive machine. In her final NCAA season, Harvey registered 18 goals and 46 assists for 64 points. She finished second on the Badgers in scoring 1. as a defender and 2. after missing eight of Wisconsin’s games due to national team commitments. Her 201 career points are the most of any defender in Wisconsin’s history. It’s the second-most of any defender in NCAA history.
That versatility and ability to dictate game play has led to the collection of accolades she’s won in the last year: Olympic Gold Medal. Olympic MVP. A third national title in the NCAA. The Patty Kazmaier award. WCHA Player of the Year. IIHF Player of the Year. And then of course, being the first overall pick in the PWHL draft in June.
Because yeah, all of these accolades and Harvey has yet to see the ice in a professional game.
When she does take the ice in the PWHL this fall, Harvey will immediately slot in as the top defender for Vancouver. With her national team experience, and how her play stood out in the NCAA already, the transition should frankly be easy for her. It’s not a stretch to call her the most anticipated rookie of the incoming class, in fact she’s probably it by a decent margin.
“KK is an incredibly accomplished defender whose achievements speak for themselves,” said new Goldeneyes general manager Alison Izzi after Harvey officially signed in Vancouver. “We are excited for her to bring her trademark speed and dynamic playing style to our roster.”
The team announced Harvey’s three-year Standard Player Agreement on Sept. 29. She joins a blue line that includes just two returning players; fellow former Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jacques, and Ashton Bell. With Claire Thompson announcing her retirement in recent days, Harvey’s importance to the team has become even more paramount. And while some may believe that’s a lot of expectations to put on a rookie, Harvey is undoubtedly not the average rookie. The blue line now builds out from Harvey in Vancouver. Not too bad of a keystone piece, I must say.
There’s no doubt that Harvey is exactly where she should be when it comes to the rankings. At 23, she’s accomplished more than most, and that should only continue as she joins the professional ranks. Her game is expected to continue developing and improving — a terrifying thought for any of her opponents.
With more experience in the pros, as well as some more national team experiences under her belt, I have no doubt she’ll be back on this list again next year. Maybe this time with even more hardware.
