Detroit’s PWHL team added some reinforcements to its defense, announcing the addition of three blue-liners.
Mellissa Channell-Watkins and Stephanie Markowski each signed two-year agreements through the 2027-28 season, while Mia Biotti signed a one-year agreement for 2026-27 on Sunday, June 21. The signings are part of the league’s open signing period that began on Friday.
Channell-Watkins, a Plymouth native, joins her hometown team after spending last season with the Vancouver Goldeneyes and two previous seasons with the Minnesota Frost, where she won back-to-back PWHL Walter Cup titles. In 30 games last year, the 31-year-old had two assists and tied for fifth among defenders with 44 hits.
Markowski was the 20th overall selection by the Ottawa Charge in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. The 24-year-old finished third on the team with a plus-6 rating this past season and has 10 points (two goals) in 58 career regular season games, also appearing in 16 playoff contests across consecutive trips to the Walter Cup Finals.
Biotti spent her rookie season with the Boston Fleet. She made her PWHL debut at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 3 and had two assists in 13 regular season games and saw action in two playoff contests.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit PWHL team bolsters defensive depth with 3 signings
Reporting by Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
