Plymouth’s Kirsten Simms taken eighth overall
It didn’t take long for Plymouth’s Kirsten Simms to be drafted at the Professional Women’s Hockey League Draft at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Simms was selected eighth overall by the Toronto Sceptres.
“I’m super excited,” Simms said. “Toronto bleeds hockey and I’m excited to play in front of them.”
Vancouver opened the draft by selecting Caroline Harvey, followed by Seattle taking forward Abbey Murphy from the University of Minnesota, and Las Vegas selected forward Tessa Janecke from Penn State.
Olympian Caroline Harvey selected No. 1 overall
Defenseman Caroline Harvey was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Wednesday’s PWHL Draft at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
“It’s been a special year,” Harvey said after being selected by the Goldeneyes. “I’m just cherishing the moment with family and friends.”
Named MVP with the women’s gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic team at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, she tied for the tournament lead in scoring with nine goals and seven assists and a tournament-best, plus-14 rating.
Harvey’s U.S. teammate, Abbey Murphy, was taken second overall by the Seattle Torrent, followed by Las Vegas selecting forward Tessa Janecke from Penn State and San Jose drafted Olympian Laila Edwards of Wisconsin.
In all, the 235-player pool of players represents eight countries and consists of 127 forwards, 68 defensemen, and 40 goaltenders, with more than 50% hailing from NCAA programs.
First round draft picks
Live blog coverage at detroitnews.com
Welcome to The Detroit News’ live coverage of the PWHL Draft at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Reporter Connor Earegood and intern Alauna Marable will provide updates and analysis of the Detroit draft picks and photographer Katy Kildee will have photos and video from the six-round draft.
PWHL Detroit traded their first-round draft pick on Tuesday to acquire five-time Olympian HIlary Knight.
Here are the picks Detroit does have after acquiring Boston’s second-round pick (22nd overall) and third-round pick (34th overall) in exchange for forward Ella Huber, and Detroit’s third-round pick (27th overall).
Detroit’s draft picks
No. 15 (Second round)
No. 22 (second round)
No. 34 (third round)
No. 39 (fourth round)
No. 51 (fifth round)
No. 63 (sixth round)
How to watch the PWHL Draft
What: 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League Draft
When: 5 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Fox Theatre, Detroit
Draft format: Event will consist of six rounds with all 12 PWHL teams selecting from a pool of 235 eligible players
First pick: Vancouver Goldeneyes hold the first overall pick. Detroit traded the third-overall pick to Las Vegas in exchange for Hilary Knight.
Tickets: Limited number of tickets remain, starting at $22
TV/radio: WMYD (TV 20). Livestreamed on PWHL website
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: PWHL Draft tracker: Harvey taken No.1 overall; Simms eighth
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
