PWHL unveils expansion draft plans

The PWHL announced plans for the expansion draft that will welcome franchises in Vancouver and Seattle to the league for the 2025-26 season.

The expansion draft will take place June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET, with coverage details to be announced at a later date.

Vancouver and Seattle will be able to add players through an exclusive signing window, which opens June 4, or in the expansion draft. After the six existing franchises submit their protected player lists by June 3, the new teams will be granted a five-day window to ink a maximum of five players during the signing period.

Any player left unprotected or on an expiring contract is eligible to be signed by Vancouver or Seattle.

Existing teams can protect three players and will be permitted to keep a fourth after relinquishing two players via the signing window or expansion draft. Protected players must be under contract for 2025-26 or teams must hold their playing rights.

Vancouver and Seattle will pick a minimum of seven players to reach a roster of 12 at the expansion draft. If one team enters the draft with fewer players from the signing window, it will be granted enough picks to get to 12 players.

The selection order will be determined at a later date.

The list of all players eligible to be protected or selected in the expansion draft can be found here.