Welcome to the most confusing NWHL draft ever
Because of a rule change and extended university careers after the pandemic, the pro women's league had to scramble to figure out who is eligible for this year's draft and who isn't
If you have some extra time today, please take a moment to think about Lisa Haley and the hot mess she has had to deal with over the past couple of months. Hayley is the new senior vice-president, hockey operations for the National Women’s Hockey League and it’s been her job to determine who is, and isn’t, eligible for tonight’s NWHL draft.
It’s hockey’s equivalent of being presented a thousand tangled ear buds. You see, the NWHL has changed its rules so now it only drafts players who have graduated and completed their university eligibility. Which is all well and good, but both the NCAA and USports in Canada threw a major curve at the NWHL when they allowed senior players another year of eligibility to make up for the COVID-19 pandemic.
That meant Haley had to reach out to the coaching staffs of about 80 schools in Canada and the U.S. that play women’s hockey and sift through each roster to determine the players taking advantage of the extra season – who will not be eligible – and those who have chosen to move on. With so many players opting to return to school – and why wouldn’t they if given the chance? – it will have a definite effect on the talent pool available in 2021.
“Typically, it would be pretty clear cut as to who’s eligible and who’s not,” Haley said. “I still strongly believe there are some very talented players out there, so I’m excited for this year’s draft. Having said that, I’m doubly excited for next year’s draft because we’ll end up with a double cohort of talented players.”
It’s one thing to draft a player and it’s another to have her sign and report, particularly with the lure of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association tour. That’s why the order in which players are drafted doesn’t always reflect the talent that’s available. That said, here are some of the top players for this year’s draft.
Taylor Wente: The 22-year-old forward is a two-time Women’s Under-18 World Championship gold medallist, a speedy player who is known for her impeccable work ethic. If she’s not lured by the PWHPA, she’ll likely land in Minnesota when the sixth-overall pick.
Makayla Langei: After leading hockey factory Shattuck-St. Mary’s two back-to-back national titles and winning an under-18 gold medal, Langei anchored the defense at Bemidji State for four years. Opponents and teammates best describe her as intense.
Kennedy Ganser: The speedy center was a point-per-game player at the University of Alberta this past season. At 5-foot-3 and 130 pounds she’s a little undersized, but more than makes up for that with her speed and determination.
Maegan Beres: The Canadian forward played four years at Boston College and captained the Eagles this past season. Beres has already accepted a job in Toronto, so look for the Six to take her. The Six own the third, fourth and fifth overall picks in this year’s draft.
Caroline Ross: After transferring from Boston College following her sophomore year, the stay-at-home defender has captained Colgate the past two seasons.
The draft is scheduled to run five rounds, which means a total of 30 players will be selected. It all begins Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on Twitch.