The Vancouver Goldeneyes selected defender Caroline Harvey with the first overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft on Wednesday.
Harvey, who was named the IIHF Female Player of the Year earlier Wednesday, won Olympic gold with Team USA in February. She earned tournament MVP and Best Defender honors after totaling nine points and a plus-14 rating in seven games.
The New Hampshire native also won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in women's NCAA hockey. Harvey racked up 18 goals and 64 points in 33 games at the University of Wisconsin. She's the third defender to win the award, joining Hall of Famer Angela Ruggiero and new Goldeneyes teammate Sophie Jaques.
Harvey is the first defender to be selected first overall in the PWHL's four-draft history.
The 23-year-old is already one of the most accomplished defenders in women's hockey history. Harvey won three national titles at Wisconsin and ranks second to Ruggiero in all-time NCAA scoring among defenders.
Harvey's won gold at the Olympics, Worlds, and Under-18s with Team USA. She's tied for third in career World Championship points by a blue-liner with Megan Keller despite playing 21 fewer games. She's a three-time tournament All-Star.
The Goldeneyes finished sixth and missed the playoffs in their inaugural season. Vancouver got the top pick by leading the "Gold Plan" standings, which are based on points accumulated after teams are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
