The Birth of PWHL Seattle: Expansion Draft Watch Party
- Womens Pro Hockey Seattle
- 15 minutes ago
- 3 min read
On Monday, June 9th, nearly 100 fans of the new PWHL Seattle team gathered together at the Rough and Tumble Pub in Ballard to witness a pivotal moment in women’s hockey: the 2024 PWHL Expansion Draft: Seattle and Vancouver. Co-hosted by Women’s Pro Hockey Seattle and the Rough and Tumble Pub, the event was a lively, emotional, and unforgettable evening that marked the start of a new era in Seattle sports.
Special guest, Grant Beery -- IT Director for the PWHL -- introduced by pub owner, Jen Barnes, made a surprise appearance to mingle with the energized crowd. Grant also helped, along with Zoe Harris, founder of Women’s Pro Hockey Seattle and campaign ambassador-chair, Alicia Crank, hand out prizes between player selection for Seattle and Vancouver, the two newest franchises in the PWHL. Apparel from both the grassroots campaign and the official PWHL Seattle team—including t-shirts, hats, jerseys, jackets, and fan-favorite "Hockey Softie" monsters provided by Women's Pro Hockey Seattle —were passed out to delighted supporters, many of whom had followed the community campaign from its earliest whispers.
A Photo Montage of the Evening
-- Photos by Andy Glass Photography
PWHL Seattle’s Expansion Draft Picks:
Aneta Tejralová (D) – from Ottawa Charge Aneta is a fierce competitor with elite skating and a calm, quarterback-like presence on the blue line. She reads the game one step ahead and brings international leadership that will set the tone for Seattle's defensive identity.
Hannah Bilka (F) – from Boston Explosive and fearless, Bilka plays like a firecracker—quick to jump on the puck and dangerous in tight spaces. She’s a rising star with highlight-reel potential and instantly became a fan favorite in Seattle the moment her name was called.
Jessie Eldridge (F) – from New York Eldridge is a power forward who never takes a shift off. With her nose for the net and grinding style, she brings the kind of physical, no-nonsense game that gives linemates room to shine—and opponents headaches.
Julia Gosling (F) – from Toronto Poised beyond her years, Gosling is a smooth-skating forward with a lethal wrist shot and a reputation for stepping up when it matters most. Her maturity and confidence will help anchor Seattle’s top six for years to come.
Anna Wilgren (D) – from Montréal Wilgren plays a clean, structured game and thrives in pressure moments. She’s the kind of defender who quietly shuts down top players without needing flashy stats—a coach’s dream and a locker room rock.
Megan Carter (D) – from Toronto Tough, vocal, and always willing to battle, Carter plays with an edge that instantly lifts the energy of any line she’s on. She’s not afraid to mix it up and adds a welcome layer of grit to Seattle’s defense.
Emily Brown (D) – from Boston Reliable and composed, Brown is a stay-at-home defender who brings a steady presence and no-frills effectiveness to the lineup. She’s the type of player who makes smart plays under pressure and keeps things simple—and successful.
Together with the five exclusive signings announced the week prior—Hilary Knight, Danielle Serdachny, Cayla Barnes, Alex Carpenter, and Corinne Schroeder—Seattle’s seven expansion draft selections form a 12-player foundation that blends proven leadership, emerging talent, sharp defensive play, and a competitive edge that’s built to grow and win.
GM Turner’s Vision
After the draft, GM Meghan Turner shared her thoughts with media:
“We wanted to build a roster that’s competitive on day one but also gives us room to grow together. We focused on character, compete level, and of course, talent—and we’re thrilled with the group we’ve brought to Seattle,” said Turner. “This is a team our fans can be proud of.”
Turner’s selections struck a balance between seasoned veterans and emerging stars, all united by a drive to prove themselves in a city that already appears ready to rally behind them.
A City Already in Love
As each name was announced, fans in the pub compared their personal mock drafts, took selfies with their swag, and shouted predictions for the upcoming entry draft and inaugural season. From die-hard hockey followers to newly inspired fans, both already in PWHL Seattle team shirts, the mood was full of hope, pride, and excitement.
With their Expansion Draft complete, PWHL Seattle now turns toward the Entry Draft on June 24th and the first-ever puck drop for the league’s seventh franchise. If June 9th was any indication, this team has already found its home in the Emerald City.