Princeton defenseman Kelsey Koelzer was the first overall pick Saturday in the NWHL Draft, with the New York Riveters selecting the senior-to-be.
Koelzer, a first-team All-American for the Tigers last season and one of 10 finalists for the 2016 Patty Kazmaier Award, led Princeton at plus-25 in 2015-16. She was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 33 points, including 17 goals.
Minnesota defenseman Lee Stecklein went at No. 2 to the Buffalo Beauts, followed by Gophers teammate Dani Cameranesi, a forward, to the Connecticut Whale.
The Boston Pride wrapped up the first of five rounds by taking Wisconsin goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens.
The Badgers led the way with five players selected. Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, Northeastern and Quinnipiac each had two players chosen.
Saturday’s draft was for players who have one year of collegiate eligibility remaining. Teams may sign them after their eligibility expires.
Here are the selections:
| Pick | Player | Team | Pos | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelsey Koelzer | New York | D | Princeton |
| 2 | Lee Stecklein | Buffalo | D | Minnesota |
| 3 | Dani Cameranesi | Connecticut | F | Minnesota |
| 4 | Ann Renee Desbiens | Boston | G | Wisconsin |
| 5 | Sydney Daniels | New York | F | Harvard |
| 6 | Cayley Mercer | Buffalo | F | Clarkson |
| 7 | Andie Anastos | Connecticut | F | Boston College |
| 8 | Sarah Nurse | Boston | F | Wisconsin |
| 9 | Jenny Ryan | New York | D | Wisconsin |
| 10 | Hayley Scamurra | Buffalo | F | Northeastern |
| 11 | Mellissa Channell | Connecticut | D | Wisconsin |
| 12 | Ashleigh Brykaliuk | Boston | F | Minnesota-Duluth |
| 13 | Sydney McKibbon | New York | F | Wisconsin |
| 14 | Emma Woods | Buffalo | F | Quinnipiac |
| 15 | Paige Savage | Connecticut | F | Northeastern |
| 16 | Halli Krzyzaniak | Boston | D | North Dakota |
| 17 | Amy Menke | New York | F | North Dakota |
| 18 | Maddie Elia | Buffalo | F | Boston University |
| 19 | Sydney Rossman | Connecticut | G | Quinnipiac |
| 20 | Lara Stalder | Boston | F | Minnesota-Duluth |
