Following their second run to the Walter Cup Final, the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge know what it takes to get to the championship. Now, they just need the spark to send them over the edge to win it.
Ottawa Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld was pleased with his selections in the 2026 PWHL draft, where the team picked up four forwards and two defenders, including Wisconsin defender Vivian Jungels and standout Czech national team forward Tereza Piลกtฤkovรก.
“After three years of playing in this league, we know the style of hockey that the Ottawa Charge like to play,” Hirshfeld said in his post-draft media availability. “Weโve identified the types of players that we like. They are fast, physical and relentless. The six players we selected tonight play Ottawa Charge hockey and that is exciting for us.
Round 1, Pick #11: Vivian Jungels, D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
The Ice Garden‘s mock draft had Jungels going 10th, so we weren’t far off as she was picked just one spot down. Our writer Dylan Nazareth noted her as “a solid, two-way defender … an excellent puck-mover and an even better shot blocker.”
Dylan also previously noted Jungels as a potential defensive target for the Victoire:
“Jungels flew somewhat under the radar this year considering the wealth of talent in Wisconsin. Still, her consistency and strong defensive play impressed, especially as the team was missing key players throughout the Winter Olympics. The 22-year-old had four goals and 21 points in 39 games this season. Jungels would be a solid two-way addition … with a proven ability to drive play while also locking down the defensive zone.”
Jungels spent four seasons at Wisconsin and is a three-time NCAA champion and two-time WCHA champion.
Round 2, Pick #23: Jordan Ray, F, Yale University (NCAA)
Jordan Ray is the first Florida-born player to be drafted in the PWHL. The 21-year-old can play both center and right wing and is fresh off a career-best NCAA season. In her fourth year at Yale, Ray led the team with 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points in 36 games. She averaged 1.08 points per game across her collegiate career, with 144 in 133 โ including 89 assists, and never missed a game.
Eli Fastiff gave the Yale forward pretty high praise in a piece highlighting top ECAC forward prospects:
“It doesnโt matter if thereโs open ice or a defender in front of her โ nobody enters the offensive zone faster than Jordan Ray. Even on โ or maybe because of โ a high-scoring Yale offense, Ray stood out because of her skating and passing. But where some players with great speed can only channel it to punish opponents on breakaways, Ray uses her speed to dart to openings in the offensive zone, helping open up shooting lanes for both herself and her teammates. After blowing by a defender with a quick first step, sheโs just as likely to flick a cross-ice pass to an open teammate as she is to put the puck on net.”
Eli continued: “Ray combines A-plus speed and consistent smart decision-making. If sheโs paired with high-level finishers, her ability to find openings in defenses could make her one of the steals of the PWHL draft.”
Round 3, Pick #35: Tereza Piลกtฤkovรก, F, SDE (SDHL)
I love this pick for the Charge, and given Carla McLeod’s history with Czechia, it makes sense. Piลกtฤkovรก just turned 21, but she’s already played in three Women’s Worlds tournaments and the Olympics and has been a part of Czechia’s national team program for seven years.
Piลกtฤkovรก spent the last two seasons playing in the SDHL, with two years of experience in Finland prior to that. She registered 25 points in 34 games this past season, including 19 assists. She is currently signed to continue with SDE for another season and may start the season there before utilizing the contract’s reported PWHL out clause.
Giselle Velazquez highlighted Piลกtฤkovรก as one of the top non-NCAA prospects:
“Described as a finesse player, puckhandler, and speedy, Piลกtฤkovรก has good skills. The 21-year-old has a decent amount of experience to merit a chance in the PWHL.”
Round 4, Pick #47: Tory Mariano, D, Northeastern University (NCAA)
While several players who didn’t play this past season declared for the 2026 PWHL Draft, Tory Mariano is the only one who was actually selected. Mariano last played in 2024-25, capping off four years at Northeastern. She skated in all 37 games in her final season.
She registered 31 points in 131 NCAA games, including 25 assists โ 14 of which came in her senior season. Mariano set career highs in assists and points in her final year, tallying four points in two Beanpot games. The 23-year-old West Seneca, NY native is a two-time Hockey East champion (2022, 2023).
Mariano took a year off to finish her degree in education.
Round 5, Pick #59: Neena Brick, F, MoDo (SDHL)
Neena Brick, 22, is a graduate of Colgate who comes to the PWHL after one year overseas. She had 19 points (11-8) in 35 games last season, good for third in scoring on MoDo.
In four seasons at Colgate, she registered 104 points in 150 games. Her offense was pretty well split, with 43 goals and 61 assists. She was a three-time ECAC champion (2022, 2023 and 2024).
Giselle also highlighted Brick as one of the top underrated non-NCAA prospects.
Round 6, Pick #71: Taylor Otremba, F, Minnesota State University (NCAA)
Taylor Otremba, 22, has played her entire life up until this point in Minnesota. She’s fresh off four years at Minnesota State and captained the team as a senior.
Her best offensive season came as a junior, when she put up 26 points, including 12 goals. She finished her NCAA career with 91 points, including 56 assists, in 149 games. In 2023, she was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.
Giselle noted Otremba as an honorable mention in her profile of top WCHA forward prospects earlier this year. Earlier this year, Eli highlighted Otremba’s goal against UMD as one of the top goals of the season:
“Somehow, Otremba gets halfway through a toe drag then decides her best play is to push the puck between defender Kate Kosobudโs legs โฆ and it works!”
