New York Sirens pick Czech forward Kristýna Kaltounková 1st overall in PWHL draft

The New York Sirens made a historic selection in the 2025 PWHL draft by choosing Colgate University forward Kristýna Kaltounková with the first overall pick. Kaltounková, a power forward from the Czech Republic, is the first European player to be drafted first overall into the PWHL. She is also the highest drafted player from the Czech Republic.

Kaltounková had an impressive college career at Colgate, where she became the all-time leading goal scorer with 111 goals over five seasons. She also made history by becoming a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, an honor given to the top player in college hockey. In her world championship debut, Kaltounková tied for the team lead in points, showcasing her scoring ability on an international stage.

The Sirens’ decision to select Kaltounková as the first overall pick adds a dynamic scoring threat to their lineup. She could potentially play alongside Sarah Fillier, forming a formidable offensive duo for the team. Kaltounková’s size and goal-scoring ability will be a valuable asset to the Sirens as they look to fill the void left by the departure of Alex Carpenter.

In addition to Kaltounková, the Sirens also made a significant move in the first round by acquiring University of Wisconsin forward Casey O’Brien through a trade with Toronto. O’Brien, the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award winner, brings a high level of skill and vision to the team. With 88 points in just 41 games, she surpassed Hilary Knight as the all-time leader in career points at Wisconsin.

The draft also saw several top defenders selected in the first round. Haley Winn from Clarkson University was chosen second overall by the Boston Fleet, while Nicole Gosling from Clarkson was picked fourth by the Montreal Victoire. Rory Guilday from Cornell University went to the Ottawa Charge, and Kendall Cooper from Quinnipiac University was selected by the Minnesota Frost.

PWHL Vancouver made their first draft pick in history by selecting Finnish forward Michelle Karvinen, adding experience and versatility to their roster. Seattle rounded out the first round by choosing forward Jenna Buglioni from Ohio State University.

Overall, the draft night was filled with trades and strategic moves as teams looked to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season. With the addition of top talent like Kaltounková and O’Brien, the PWHL promises to showcase exciting and competitive hockey in the coming year.