I like to think I had the right idea with the early round picks, but Boston had big plans for the night, and decided to make some noise with a huge trade with New York. Boston sent their 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round picks to receive New York’s 2nd and 7th round picks.
Round 1
Our pick-4- Cayla Barnes, D, Ohio State/Boston College
Actual Pick- 4- Hannah Bilka, F, Ohio State/Boston College
Boston had a chance at Barnes, but went with the high scoring option in Bilka. Boston would not let the top D pick wait long though. Barnes fell only one pick to Montreal.
Bilka was previously a BC Eagle for four seasons; being in the top 5 of points and goal-scoring every year she was there, but perhaps felt she still had more in the tank and gave it one more year after transferring to Ohio State. There, she put up one of her best seasons to date; finishing with 48 points in 39 games.
Round 2
Our Pick- 10- Ronja Savolainen, D, Luleå HF
Actual pick- 7- Daniela Pejšová, D, Luleå HF
In a shocking move, Boston traded up in the second round. We had the right position and right European team! But we figured Pejšová wouldn’t be available. Boston decided they wanted her, and moved heaven and earth to get her. Savolainen went early too; going to PWHL Ottawa.
Pejšová is a long-time international talent who has gone from the Czech league to the Swedish Damen League since 2018: playing for MODO and most recently for Luleå. In her time there, she’s been a damn strong defensive option with a championship pedigree; coming hot off the heels of winning the SDHL for the second consecutive time, and having just received honors last year from her performance in the IIHF Women’s World Championships.
If you needed a pedigree’d defender, you’d look no further.
Round 3
Our Pick- 16- Jennifer Gardiner, F, Ohio State
Actual Pick- No Pick
Part of the trade to acquire Pejšová Boston gave up their third round pick. Gardiner would go in the second round to Montreal.
Round 4
Our Pick- 22- Naomi Rogge, F, Minnesota-Duluth/ SDE HF
Actual Pick- 22- Sydney Bard, D, Colgate
Back on the board, Boston needed to get their second defender and went with it here; taking Sydney Bard out of Colgate to fill their top remaining need. Bard’s time at Colgate has been quite prolific, with her being a major playmaking force among the Lady Raiders; finishing this year with 28 points in 40 games.
Round 5
Our Pick- 28- Anna Wilgren, D, Wisconsin
Actual Pick- No Pick
Wilgren would go 29th to Montreal, so we had her in the right band, but Boston wasn’t around to pick in this round with the trade. Czech defenders, man. Every time you get the chance, you gotta trade the moon and sun to get them.
Round 6
Our Pick- 34- Julia Nearis, F, Quinnipiac (Boston University)
Actual Pick- 34- Shay Maloney, F, Leksands IF/Brown/Quinnipiac
We had the right position and right school that the player transferred to, but Boston went with Shay Maloney. Maloney’s career has had her bouncing across the globe between college and Sweden, with her most recent tour of the Damen league having her finish with 20 points in 36 games.
Round 7
Our Pick- 40- Katy Knoll, F, Northeastern
Actual Pick- 37- Ilona Markova, F, Agidel/Russia
With the New York Pick; Boston took a Russian forward that will look to slot in with the Boston forward group.
Markova is a major pattern interrupt; the PWHL had gained a lot of international interest, but not a whole lot from the Russian league, which has no international presence to draw on right now thanks to Current Events. Markova in 42 games with Agidel had 40 points, so it gives the impression that maybe PWHL Boston’s eyes reach a bit farther than people expected. As for any “Russian Factor” concerns...I’m sure Markova will find Lowell just as hospitable as Ufa.
40- Hadley Hartmetz, D, Ohio State/Boston College
With Knoll going 39, Boston took a different former Beanpot participant but on D in Hartmetz.
The 23 year old transferred to Ohio State in 2021, and it seems the decision agreed with her; as she slowly built her way up to her draft year; finishing this year with 33 points in 39 games.
All in all, a successful draft night for Boston. They knew exactly what they wanted, executed their plan, and attacked their weakenesses: Getting a great shooter with their first pick and then trading up to take one of the best D available. We will see how these picks slot in with the name brand players that still live on the roster, but some great players taken and they made the right call in not drafting a goalie when they didn't need one.
I apparently was way off on my estimation of Naomi Rogge’s value and I made a whiff with my Julia Nearis Selection, but otherwise the selections made for Boston were selected in similar or better bands. They even decided to shake things up again with a big trade and taking a chance on Russian talent!
We will have to see how these players slot in to the lineup, and which free agents are going to be brought back. Teams have exclusive rights to their free agents through June 20th, and then on June 21st...Free Agency truly starts.
