The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program will once again have heavy representation in the Professional Women's Hockey League for the 2025-26 season, with a total of 15 former Bulldogs finding landing spots on six of the eight league teams.


All five of UMD's 2025 PWHL draftees were signed to contracts or reserve contracts, including all three third round picks securing contracts ahead of Friday's season opening games. Forward Olivia Mobley (2024-25) inked a standard one-year deal with the Boston Fleet, while forward Clara Van Wieren (2020-25) signed a standard one-year contract with the Toronto Scepters. Defenseman Nina Jobst-Smith (2020-25) had previously signed a standard two-year contract with the Vancouver Goldeneyes. and both sixth round picks secured reserved spots -- Olivia Wallin (2023-25) signed a reserve contract with the Ottawa Charge after being drafted by Seattle, while former defenseman Hanna Baskin (2021-25) signed a reserve contract with Toronto.


The rest of the 10 former Bulldogs that made rosters include four players who Wallin will join on the Ottawa Charge -- alternate captain, defenseman and former Bulldog All-American and multiple Canadian Olympian medalist Jocelyne Larocque (2007-11), as well as three forwards -- UMD All-American Gabbie Hughes (2018-23), Mannon McMahon (2019-2024) and Czechia Olympian Katerina Mrázová (2013-18).


In addition to Jobst-Smith, Vancouver has two other UMD greats -- former Bulldog All-American and Canadian gold medalist Ashton Bell and two-time PWHL champion, forward Michela Cava (2014-16). 


The two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost returns U.S. Olympic gold medalist and two-time PWHL champion Maddie Rooney (2015-20) in net, while Sidney Morin (2013-17), an All-American defenseman and U.S. Olympic gold medalist returns to the team that originally drafted after two seasons with Boston. The duo will be joined by another UMD All-American, Elizabeth Giguere (2021-22), who signed a reserve contract with the Frost and comes to Minnesota after two seasons with the New York Sirens and a training camp with the Ottawa Charge.


Defenseman Maggie Flaherty (2018-23), also a two-time defending PWHL champion with the Frost, begins her first season in Montreal as a new member of the Victoire.


The 2025-26 PWHL season opens up Friday with games between the Frost and Sceptres in St. Paul, Minn. and the Torrent and Goldeneyes in Vancouver.