Montreal added seven players in the 2024 PWHL Draft on Monday night.
Round 1: Cayla Barnes, RD, Ohio State University
Barnes has been in the spotlight since she was 18 years old, joining Team USA for the 2018 Olympics. Now 25, she played five years in the NCAA and will provide another great offensive option on the right side of the defence with Erin Ambrose. Her transition play is something that can transform this Montreal team offensively.
PWHL Hockey Operations says: “One of the most reliable defenders in the world. She reads the forecheck well and makes good first puck decisions. Uses her stick and smarts effectively on defense and joins the rush naturally to contribute offensively with a pass or shot.”
Round 2: Jennifer Gardiner, F, Ohio State University
Back to back Buckeyes for Montreal, and Gardner is a really interesting addition. At 22 years old, she is one of the younger players in the draft. She is from Surrey, BC and was at Team Canada’s camp in Kingston prior to the World Championships in case injuries prevented someone from playing. She played in the pre-tournament game alongside Montreal forward Kristin O’Neill and Toronto draft pick Julia Gosling.
In 176 career NCAA games, she had 71 goals and 100 assists for 171 points.
PWHL Hockey Operations says: “A well-rounded player who can elevate her play as pressure and competition increases. A strong playmaker who is just as aware with the puck and she is without it.”
Round 3: Abby Boreen, F, PWHL Minnesota
One of the more intriguing prospects in the PWHL Draft was Boreen, who played nine PWHL regular season games and five playoff games with PWHL Minnesota this year. She was in pharmaceutical school which prevented her from signing a standard player contract. She is someone who can step right in and play in your top three lines because, well, she already has done it in the PWHL.
PWHL Hockey Operations says: “Her PWHL experience is valuable, with a demonstrated ability to compliment top players, kill penalties, and be a scoring threat. She brings energy on every shift and is fearless when going to the net.”
Round 4: Dara Greig, F, Colgate University
Greig, 23, played two years at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Colgate for three years. Last year, she played on a line with Danielle Serdachny, the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft. She had 17 goals and 25 assists (42 points) in 40 games. She scored 20 goals the previous two seasons, and had 62 goals in 175 career NCAA games.
And yes, her brother is Ottawa Senators forward Ridly.
From The Athletic: “There’s a lot to like about Greig’s game, which is a nice blend of skill and sandpaper. She’s really smart with the puck and sees the game well, but also plays with a competitive fire and isn’t afraid to mix things up on the ice. She has a quick release from the slot and has good hands, but is also effective when she’s at the net front banging in rebounds”
Round 5: Anna Wilgren, LD, University of Wisconsin
Wilgren, 24 and 5’8″ provides size and experience to Montreal’s blue line. Another five-year NCAA player, she transferred to Wisconsin after four years at Minnesota State, where she was captain for her final three seasons. She has been on the Team USA bubble as well, and should be expected to fight for a roster spot on Montreal’s defence.
PWHL Hockey Operations says: “Leads from the back end with good decisions as a player her forwards can trust to get them the puck. She’s a low risk, high reward defender who handles physical play well, can threaten with her shot, and has strong positioning in her own end.”
Round 6: Anna Kjellbin, RD, Luleå (SDHL)
The 30-year-old Swede brings 450 games of professional experience with her to Montreal, plus five World Championships and one Olympics. Although she is one of the older players taken in the draft, there’s the understanding that she will be able to jump right in to the lineup and compete. There is no development league, so it helps to know what you have.
From The Athletic: “Kjellbin, the current captain of the Swedish national team, has been a staple of winning teams in the SDHL and was a First Team All-Star in 2022-23. She’s a better player than others in this tier but she’s also the second-oldest player on our list at 30. She’s a heady, intelligent two-way defender.”
Round 7: Amanda Kessel, F, Did Not Play
Montreal’s final pick was their most shocking one. Just before Kessel was picked, there were rumours circulating that she was in contention for the role of general manager of PWHL Minnesota, a job that opened up a few days ago. Players had until Saturday to remove their names from the draft and Kessel did not. There’s a chance that the 32-year-old never plays for Montreal, but on the chance she does? It’s the definition of low-risk, high-reward.
The last time we saw her play, she had nine points in seven games at the 2023 World Championship before taking a year away to work in the front office of the Pittsburgh Penguins, where she surely would have crossed paths with Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie.
PWHL Hockey Operations says: “You can’t teach experience and she will step right into a top line role. She brings a calmness to the powerplay, a high-end release, and her passing makes her a threat to opponents and difficult to defend.”
