### Ottawa Set to Host the 2025 PWHL Draft: A Milestone for Women's Hockey The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has officially announced that the 2025 PWHL Draft will take place on June 24, 2025, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ottawa, Ontario. This event marks a significant occasion as it will be the first to be held at the newly constructed Hard Rock Live theatre, part of a $350 million expansion project. The draft will gather top prospects, notable figures from the women's hockey community, and fans to celebrate the future stars of the league. Prospective players have until May 8 to declare their eligibility for the draft, with further details on the event's format and ticketing to be released soon [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/2025_pwhl_draft_to_be_held_june_24_in_ottawa/s1_16448_42062205]. ### Structure of the 2025 PWHL Draft Announcement 1. **Event Details** - Date and Time: June 24, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET - Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Ottawa - Significance: First event at the new Hard Rock Live theatre 2. **Eligibility and Participation** - Deadline for player eligibility: May 8, 2025 - Anticipated top prospect: Casey O'Brien from the University of Wisconsin 3. **Draft Format and Future Considerations** - Previous drafts utilized different formats (lottery, snake draft, traditional order) - Potential expansion of the league by two teams remains undecided 4. **Community and Fan Engagement** - The event aims to engage the PWHL's fanbase and celebrate women's hockey ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Event Venue**: The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is undergoing a $350 million expansion, enhancing its facilities for events like the PWHL Draft [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/2025_pwhl_draft_to_be_held_june_24_in_ottawa/s1_16958_42054507]. - **Top Prospect**: Casey O'Brien, who had an MVP senior season at Wisconsin, is expected to be a leading pick in the draft [https://apnews.com/article/pwhl-draft-ottawa-womens-hockey-7b7b2e1e6ef8f71a495421d8568d4d57]. - **Draft Format History**: The PWHL has previously used various draft formats, including a lottery and traditional selection order, which may influence the upcoming draft's structure [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/2025_pwhl_draft_to_be_held_june_24_in_ottawa/s1_16448_42062205]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Women's Hockey The 2025 PWHL Draft in Ottawa represents a pivotal moment for women's hockey, showcasing the league's growth and commitment to elevating the sport. 1. **Event Significance**: The draft will be a landmark event at a state-of-the-art venue, emphasizing the league's investment in women's sports. 2. **Player Participation**: With a deadline for eligibility approaching, anticipation builds around which players will declare and who will be selected. 3. **Future of the League**: The potential expansion of the league adds an exciting layer to the draft, as teams and fans await decisions on new franchises. This draft not only highlights the talent within women's hockey but also strengthens community ties and fan engagement, paving the way for future developments in the sport [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6279558/2025/04/15/pwhl-draft-ottawa-top-prospects].