LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — PWHL Las Vegas acquired a first-round pick, third overall, in the 2026 PWHL Draft in a trade with PWHL Detroit in exchange for forward Hilary Knight, the team announced Tuesday.
PWHL Las Vegas now holds the third and fifth overall picks and is the only team with multiple first-round selections. A roster freeze, which was implemented as part of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Expansion Player Distribution Process, lifted Monday at 6 a.m. PT.
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“Having two picks in the first round of such an incredibly skilled draft class provides us the opportunity to add two players who will make an immediate and lasting impact on our team,” said Dominique DiDia, PWHL Las Vegas general manager.
DiDia said the team is excited about the players who have already committed to PWHL Las Vegas and the foundation the team will continue to build through the draft.
Knight was signed to a one-year contract after receiving an Expansion Foundational Offer from PWHL Las Vegas during Phase 2 of the PWHL’s Expansion Player Distribution Process.
The PWHL Draft will take place Wednesday at Fox Theatre in Detroit, beginning at 2 p.m. PT. A total of 72 players will be selected in the six-round process.
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