PWHL New York clinches No. 1 pick with win over Ottawa
New York secured the first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft with a 4-3 win over Ottawa on Tuesday.
The PWHL adopted the "Gold Plan" in February to determine the league's draft order. The team that earns the most points after being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention earns the top pick in each round.
Tuesday's win was enough to clinch the No. 1 pick with Minnesota, Ottawa, and Boston still battling for the final two playoff spots. New York is the only team to be mathematically eliminated so far.
Sarah Fillier is the anticipated top pick. The 23-year-old forward accrued 30 goals and 43 points in 29 games this season at Princeton University.
Fillier has been a regular with Team Canada since 2021. She has 17 goals and 31 points in 28 contests over four World Championships, plus an MVP award at the 2023 event. She also tallied eight goals and 11 points in seven games in her Olympic debut in 2022.
The Georgetown, Ontario, native declared for the PWHL draft on April 18.