PWHL Detroit released its training camp roster for its inaugural season and ahead of their November training camp.
The team announced its training camp roster on Wednesday, Oct. 7, which includes 18 players signed for the upcoming season, four unsigned prospects selected in this summer's PWHL Draft, and six training-camp invites.
Superstar forward Hilary Knight, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade with the PWHL's Las Vegas expansion franchise back in June, and goaltender Andrea Brändli, the team's 2026 draft pick, are among the players listed on the training camp roster.
“We're excited to welcome these players into Belfor Training Center for our inaugural training camp in just six weeks,” said Manon Rhéaume, PWHL Detroit General Manager. “For
the first time, our staff will have a chance to watch all of the talent we've assembled together on the ice. Whether it's a newly drafted player, a training camp invitee, or a player that we've already signed to a contract, we are eager to see what each individual can contribute to our team.”
As part of training camp, PWHL Detroit will play in two preseason games.
Detroit's first exhibition is in Canada at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster, Ontario, against the Ottawa Charge as part of a series of scrimmages hosted by the PWHL's expansion team in Hamilton.
The team will open the regular season on the road in Las Vegas on Dec. 6 (8 p.m., WMYD-TV) before its home opener on Dec. 12.
2026-27 PWHL Detroit training camp roster
Previous team listed in parentheses. *2026 draft pick. **Training camp invitee.
Forwards (16)
- Hannah Bilka (Seattle Torrent), Vitals: 5-5. The buzz: Member of the U.S. National Women’s Team for three straight years winning one gold medal (2023) and two silver medals (2022 and 2024) in IIHF Women’s World Championship competition.
- Sena Catterall* (Clarkson University), Vitals: 5-5. The buzz: Played for Team Canada in the 2024 Women's Baseball World Cup.
- Jesse Compher (Toronto Sceptres), Vitals: 5-8. The buzz: Represented USA at the 2022 Olympics, winning a silver medal.
- Britta Curl-Salemme (Minnesota Frost), Vitals: 5-9. The buzz: Made her Olympic Winter Games debut in 2026.
- Shiann Darkangelo (Montréal Victoire), Vitals: 5-11. The buzz: Won a World Championship gold medal and represented Team USA at the 2016 World Championships.
- Taylor Girard (New York Sirens): Vitals: 5-10. The buzz: Drafted first overall in the 2021 Premier Hockey Federation Draft.
- Gabby Jones** (SDE HF): Vitals: 5-4. The buzz: Served as captain for the Merrimack College Women's Ice Hockey team in 2021.
- Kyla Josifovic* (University of Connecticut): Vitals: 5-11. The buzz: Served as captain for the UConn Huskies in 2025.
- Kira Juodikis** (ZSC Lions Frauen/New York Sirens): Vitals: 5-11. The buzz: Former University of New Hampshire forward who amassed 56 goals.
- Hilary Knight (Seattle Torrent): Vitals: 5-11. The buzz: Captain of the U.S. Olympic Women's Hockey Team since 2023.
- MK O’Brien* (University of Minnesota Duluth): Vitals: 5-4. The buzz: Selected by Detroit in the third round of the PWHL draft at 34th overall.
- Georgia Schiff* (Cornell University): Vitals: 5-9. The buzz: Earned second team All-Ivy honors at Cornell.
- Akane Shiga (Luleå HF): Vitals: 5-5. The buzz: The first-ever Japanese player in PWHL history.
- Vanessa Upson** (Minnesota Frost): Vitals: 5-5. The buzz: Drafted 38th overall in the PWHL draft by the Minnesota Frost in June 2025.
- Olivia Wallin (Ottawa Charge): Vitals: 5-7. The buzz: Finished a five-year NCAA career by scoring 40 points in 39 games with the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2024.
- Daryl Watts (Toronto Sceptres): Vitals: 5-6. The buzz: Represented Canada at the 2016 and 2017 U18 World Championships, winning silver at both tournaments.
Defenders (9)
- Jessica Adolfsson** (SDE HF): Vitals: 5-9. The buzz: Was the sixth most productive defender in the Swedish Women's Hockey League during the 2022-23 season, with 14 points in 23 games.
- Sydney Bard (Vancouver Goldeneyes): Vitals: 5-3. The buzz: Earned gold in the 2018 U18 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.
- Cayla Barnes (Seattle Torrent): Vitals: 5-2. The buzz: An Olympic gold medalist from the U.S. Olympic team in 2026.
- Mia Biotti (Boston Fleet): Vitals: 5-11. The buzz: Served as team captain during her senior year at Harvard University.
- Casey Borgiel* (Colgate University): Vitals: 5-7. The buzz: Recorded 21 points over the 2025 season at Colgate with 4 goals and 17 assists.
- Mellissa Channell-Watkins (Vancouver Goldeneyes): Vitals: 5-4. The buzz: Won back-to-back Walter Cup titles with the Minnesota Frost in 2024, 25.
- Nina Jobst-Smith (Vancouver Goldeneyes): Vitals: 5-7. The buzz: Made her Olympic Winter Games debut in Milano Cortina 2026.
- Stephanie Markowski (Ottawa Charge): Vitals: 5-9. The buzz: Won a national championship as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes at the conclusion of her final collegiate season in 2023.
- Kendra Zuchotzki** (University of Saskatchewan) Vitals: 5-8. The buzz: Had nine points in 28 games last season at the University of Saskatchewan.
Goaltenders (3)
- Andrea Brändli* (Frölunda HC): Vitals: 5-7. The buzz: A staple of the Swiss international team who won a bronze medal at Milano Cortina in 2026. Was named the tournament's best goaltender.
- Michelle Pasiechnyk** (Boston University): Vitals: 5-9. The buzz: As a senior at Clarkson University, was the NCAA and ECAC Goaltender of the Year.
- Alice Philbert (EV Bozen Eagles): Vitals: 5-6. The buzz: Ranked fourth in tournament save percentage in the Olympic Winter Games in 2026 where she served as a backstop for France.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: PWHL Detroit training camp roster for inaugural season
