Four University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey players were drafted Wednesday night in the fourth-ever PWHL Draft held in Detroit, Michigan.

The four, who all suited up for the Bulldogs just four months ago, were forward Thea Johansson (Round 2, Overall pick 17 to the Vancouver Goldeneyes), forward Mary Kate O'Brien (Round 3, Overall pick 34 to PWHL Detroit), defenseman Tova Henderson (Round 4, Overall pick 45 to the Minnesota Frost) and defenseman Ashley Messier (Round 6, Overall pick 61 to the Vancouver Goldeneyes).

Johansson became just the third Bulldog taken in the first or second rounds, joining UMD greats Jocelyne Larocque (Round 1, Pick 2) and Ashton Bell (Round 2, Pick 8), who were both selected in the first-ever PWHL Draft in 2023. The Ljungby, Sweden native was a 2026 Swedish Winter Olympian, and tied for the most goal in the Games with four. Johansson led the Bulldogs in scoring this past season with a team-high 17 goals and four game-winning goals, and had 23 points in 30 skates. Johansson was both a WCHA Scholar Athlete and All-WCHA Academic Team member, and this past week was named to the 2025-26 CSC Academic All-District Team.

O'Brien was named the WCHA's Outstanding Student Athlete this past season and is both a three-time AHCA Division I All-American Scholar and three-time CSC Academic All-District selection. The Wilbraham, Mass. product was a four-time WCHA Scholar Athlete and a four-time All-WCHA Academic Team member. O'Brien played in 162 games for UMD –  the ninth most in program history – and played in 155 consecutive games the sixth-longest streak in program history. This season, O'Brien, UMD's team captain, had 17 points in 38 games, including 14 assists, one power play goal and one game-winning goal.

Henderson, an alternate captain, was bestowed the Maroon and Gold Award voted on by the team this spring, an award that honors the player who the team thinks best combines the team values of work ethic, attitude and commitment to the team and to the game of hockey. Henderson graduated with the seventh-most consecutive games played in UMD history with 153, and wrapped up the season skating in all 38 games. The Richmond, B. C. native posted three goals and 10 assists for 13 points, which included two game-winning goals – both of which came in overtime at Minnesota to help the Bulldogs clinch their final road series of the season in Minneapolis.  

Messier joined the Bulldogs this season after a success career at Cornell University, and earned an "A" on her UMD jersey last fall. The blueliner from Wilcox, Saskatchewan played in 36 games and recorded seven assists with a +5 plus/minus rating. Messies was both a WCHA Scholar Athlete and All-WCHA Academic Team member, and this past week was named to the 2025-26 CSC Academic All-District Team.

As a program, UMD has now had 22 players drafted over the past four years. The Bulldogs had the third most alums in the PWHL during the 2024-25 season with a total of 16.