PWHL schedules expansion draft for June 9

Field Level Media|published: Mon 19th May, 10:47 2025

Nov 30, 2024; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Boston Fleet forwards Lexie Adzija (88) and Taylor Girard (17) pursue the play against Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse (20) in the third period at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Professional Women's Hockey League will hold an expansion draft for the Seattle and Vancouver franchises on June 9.

The PWHL also announced the rules and procedures Monday that will guide the roster-building process for the league's seventh and eighth members ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The original six clubs -- Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres -- each have a June 3 deadline to protect three players from the exclusive signing window that will run from June 4-8.

Players eligible for protection must either be under contract through the 2025-26 season, or the team must hold their playing rights through 2025-26 (drafted in 2024).

After a team has lost two players through either the signing period or the draft, it is allowed to protect a fourth player.

Seattle and Vancouver can each sign a maximum of five players during the exclusive window.

At the June 9 draft, Seattle and Vancouver will select a minimum of seven players each until they fill a 12-player roster. The order for the draft will be determined later, as will coverage details.

The 2025 PWHL Draft is scheduled for June 24 in Ottawa, Ontario. New York has the No. 1 overall pick.

--Field Level Media