Six Ohio State women’s hockey players went to PWHL teams during the 2026 PWHL Draft June 17, including two Buckeyes who were selected in the first round.
Senior defender and captain Emma Peschel was taken seventh overall by the New York Sirens. Peschel earned an All-WCHA First Team nod last season while recording 10 goals, 29 assists and 3 points, all collegiate career highs. She also earned a silver medal with the United States at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
Two picks later, the Minnesota Frost selected Sara Swiderski ninth overall. The Buckeye defender had a breakout senior season with eight goals, 19 assists and 27 points in 33 games. Swiderski had 31 points in her first three seasons combined. She was also a member of Canada’s 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship team.
Andrea Braendli, who has not played for the Buckeyees since 2022, was drafted No. 15 overall by Detroit, the league’s latest expansion team. The 29-year-old Swiss goalie made her mark on the international stage during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, when she made 40 saves in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Finland. She later notched 31 saves in the 2-1 bronze medal victory vs. Sweden and was named Best Goaltender at the tournament.
Braendeli spent four seasons with the Buckeyes before transferring to Boston University for the 2022-23 season. She played the first two years of her pro career in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League.
See where all the Buckeyes went in the PWHL Draft last night.
Ohio State Buckeyes selected in 2026 PWHL Draft
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Six Ohio State women’s hockey players drafted into the PWHL
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
