As the PWHL continues to expand, so do Boston University women’s hockey’s contributions to the ever-growing league, as three former Terriers heard their names called at the 2026 PWHL Draft in Detroit on Wednesday night.
Goaltender Andrea Brändli became the first player ever drafted by PWHL Detroit, going 15th overall in the second round to the expansion franchise. Then in the sixth round, fellow expansion team PWHL Las Vegas selected former assistant captain Sydney Healey with the 65th overall pick. Soon after, Maeve Kelly rounded out the trio. She will stay close to Comm Ave. after the Boston Fleet took her 70th overall.
Brändli was the top-ranked goaltender in the 2026 draft class and filled the primary need for Detroit, which was one of only two teams without a starting goaltender heading into the draft.
With chants echoing throughout the Fox Theatre, general manager Manon Rheaume — the first woman to ever play in the NHL — called Brändli’s name.
“I had the whole crowd with me,” Brändli said during the broadcast. “It felt like a big family out there.”
For Brändli, her decision to declare for the PWHL Draft came after her bronze medal win in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Brändli backstopped Switzerland. She made her first appearance in Milan-Cortina against the United States, stopping 45 shots in a 5-0 loss. Her next appearance came in the quarterfinals, where she stonewalled Finland with 40 saves in a 1-0 shutout.
In the bronze medal game, Brändli posted a 32-save performance, propelling Switzerland to a 2-1 overtime win against Sweden, helping her country to its second bronze medal at the Olympics in women’s ice hockey.
Prior to her 2026 Olympic performance, Brändli played four seasons with Ohio State. As a senior, she finished her tenure as the winningest goaltender in program history with 57 wins, recording a career save percentage of .927.
As a graduate student at BU, Brändli posted a .928 save percentage and 2.41 goals-against average.
After being drafted, Brändli explained how her collegiate experience prepared her well for PWHL’s style of hockey.
“I’m used to the American style of hockey, and I’ve played against the US and Canada plenty of times in international settings,” Brändli said. “I know who they are. I know how American hockey can be, and I think I can use that to my advantage.”
As for Healey and Kelly, the pair waited over five hours to hear their names called.
Healey became PWHL Las Vegas’s final selection in the draft.
She played a pivotal role in BU’s historic 2024–25 campaign, highlighted by her overtime winner in the Hockey East Tournament that secured the conference title.
Her offensive instincts repeatedly rescued BU in high‑pressure situations.
Down two goals against Quinnipiac in the Friendship Four semifinal this past January, Healey tallied two goals that would eventually send the game to a shootout — a game that would send BU to the Friendship Series championship.
“She’s just able to capitalize in those clutch moments,” head coach Tara Watchorn said after that performance.
That quote captures Healey perfectly. As BU’s leading goal scorer for the past two seasons, Healey thrives along the boards, using them to generate breakouts, odd‑player rushes and high‑quality scoring chances. It’s the kind of play that projects well into the next level if she can crack a top-six role.
Kelly was selected third to last, joining a Fleet team that swept the PWHL Awards, with Aerin Frankel earning MVP and Goaltender of the Year, Haley Winn taking Rookie of the Year, Megan Keller winning Defender of the Year and former coach Kris Sparre named Coach of the Year.
During the draft, Kelly was described as someone who processes new information well and is a “student of the game,” strengths that could aid her transition into a new role and new league.
Regardless of if the trio will make the roster or receive ice time come the start of the season, increasing presence in the PWHL is a sign of the BU program’s growth.