DETROIT (AP) 鈥� The Olympics are long over for Gina Kingsbury, and the former Team Canada women鈥檚 hockey executive is ready to put aside cross-border rivalries and whatever lingering sting remains from .
As GM of the Toronto Sceptres, Kingsbury is looking forward to the opportunity to select from the bumper crop of U.S. talent available in the on Wednesday.
鈥淲hen I look at the draft, I鈥檓 beyond excited for some of these incredible American players that are coming in,鈥� Kingsbury said last week. 鈥淩egardless if I had my Canada hat on or not, I think everybody would be very excited to be able to work with these incredible athletes.鈥�
The only question is who will be available when the Sceptres are set to pick at No. 8.
The newly expanded 12-team is holding its fourth draft in one of its new markets. And the event is essentially doubling as a reunion for five members of the U.S. team that won gold by beating Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in February.
A deep and talented 236-player draft class is top-heavy with Americans, led by Wisconsin defender and . She鈥檚 followed by four U.S. teammates in Wisconsin鈥檚 Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms, Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy and Penn State forward Tessa Janecke.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really special. Obviously, a lot of good memories back in Milan. It kind of feels like yesterday,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very unique spot to be in. And we鈥檙e very grateful for the journey that hockey鈥檚 given us, so we鈥檙e really looking forward to it tomorrow.鈥�
Add in non-U.S. Olympians in Wisconsin forward Lacey Eden, Ohio State defender Emma Peschel and Minnesota forward Sydney Morrow, and the first round could feature a predominant American flavor.
Vancouver is scheduled to pick first, followed by fellow 2025 expansion team Seattle, after being the first two teams eliminated from playoff contention.
, with Las Vegas having picks Nos. 3 and 5. Las Vegas was awarded the No. 5 pick, and acquired the No. 3 selection in a sign-and-trade deal that .
San Jose is set to pick fourth and Hamilton sixth.
The depth of the draft classes’ overall talent was already worked into the PWHL projections when it elected to add four expansion teams this offseason. And each of the 12 teams have numerous needs that shook up the rosters of the eight returning teams.
The American talent in the draft is so rich that U.S. coach John Wroblewski said any one of his five players would have been considered potential No. 1 selections in most years.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to be unprecedented to see this many Olympians taken, and pivotal PWHL players. It鈥檚 certainly not going to be the norm going forward,鈥� Wroblewski told The Associated Press. 鈥淭here is just so much exceptional and generational talent in the top spots.鈥�
Though Wroblewski called it a 鈥渘o-brainer鈥� for Harvey to go No. 1, each of the five Olympians has the potential of being immediate impact players.
With her fluid skating and play-making ability, the 23-year-old Harvey is already regarded as one of her game’s top players after also earning women’s college hockey MVP honors.
Murphy brings grit and offense. At 6-foot-1, , and possesses the rare combination of having a hard shot and smooth skating ability.
Janecke is a well-rounded center, while Simms is strong on the wing, and a half-wall specialist on power plays.
The top-ranked Canadians are considered to be Ohio State defender Sara Swiderski and Princeton forward Issy Wunder.
Switzerland national team goalie Andrea Braendli could go in the first round. The 29-year-old earned top goalie honors at Milan.
After spending the past three seasons playing professionally in Sweden, Braendli said winning a bronze medal in Milan spurred her to make the jump.
鈥淪ometimes you have those moments, those ah-ha moments where you’re just like: ‘You know what? I鈥檓 actually good,’鈥� said Braendli, who allowed eight goals in seven games. 鈥淚t really was a little emotional for me then. And that鈥檚 when I showed I can do everything, so why not come here and play amongst the best of the best, because I deserve to be here.鈥�
Among the top-ranked European skaters are Finland national team forwards Elisa Holopainen and Petra Nieminen.
鈥淭he talent is there in the first round, but I don鈥檛 think people have really been looking into rounds 3 through 6, and that talent is deep in this draft,鈥� Las Vegas GM Dominique DiDia said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not stopping at Round 1.鈥�
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