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Megan Carter, Gwyneth Philips and Katy Knoll were among the 42 players chosen in the second annual draft of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday.
Northeastern University stars Megan Carter, Gwyneth Philips and Katy Knoll were among the 42 players selected in the second annual draft of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday.
Carter, the 12th player chosen overall, went to PWHL Toronto in the second round. The two-time Hockey East defender of the year brings a physical presence to Toronto’s back line.
“It’s a dream come true,” Carter said. “You watch NHL guys get drafted growing up, and now the fact that there’s a league for female hockey players to get drafted is surreal. I’m just really happy to be a part of it.”
The selection amounted to a homecoming for Carter, who grew up in Milton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.
“Hugging my parents after hearing my name, knowing that I’m coming back home, I had some tears coming out of my eyes — of course happy tears,” Carter said. “Just really looking forward to being part of the Toronto organization and sharing that experience with my family.”
Philips, who was awarded as the NCAA’s top goalie in 2022-23, went 14th overall to PWHL Ottawa in the third round. Philips departed Northeastern with an NCAA-record 0.958 save percentage over five seasons, including the last two as the Huskies’ starter.
“I was ecstatic,” Philips said. “I didn’t know where I was going to go, but to end up at such a great place is amazing.”
Philips was the first goaltender to be drafted.
“That’s a huge honor seeing the goalies that were in the draft list,” Philips said. “To be even just in the group with those girls is amazing. So really honored.”
Knoll, a forward who generated 131 points in 177 games at Northeastern, went in the seventh round (No. 39 overall) to Minnesota, which was led to the inaugural championship by former Northeastern stars Kendall Coyne Schofield and Denisa Krizova.
Knoll said she was looking forward to joining “a top-tier program and staff and management from top to bottom — and obviously the reigning champs. So that’s really exciting.”
The versatile forward noted that her Northeastern experience of mixing in with current PWHL scorers Alina Mueller, Chloé Aurard and Maureen Murphy — while trying to score in practice against Philips and her predecessor in goal Aerin Frankel — will help her fit in with Minnesota.
“It was an opportunity for me to find my game and my role for the Northeastern Huskies,” Knoll said. “I became not only a better player but a better person in my time there. So I’m really grateful.”
The trio of Huskies helped drive Northeastern to three Frozen Fours, four Hockey East titles and three Beanpot championships.
They join a league already brimming with Northeastern talent. Nine former Huskies competed this past season in the six-team PWHL.