Penn State Sets Program Record With 7 PWHL Draft Selections

Penn State women’s hockey’s historic 2025-26 season translated into unprecedented success at the PWHL Draft on Wednesday night, as a program-record seven Nittany Lions were selected.

Six Penn State players came off the board within the first 49 picks, led by forward Tessa Janecke, who became the highest draft selection in program history at No. 3 overall. The seven selections more than tripled the program’s previous total of two draft picks across the first three PWHL Drafts combined, both of which came in 2025.

The milestone comes on the heels of one of the most successful seasons in school history, as the Nittany Lions captured their fourth consecutive conference championship and advanced to their first Frozen Four.

Here’s a recap of Penn State’s draft selections.

Round 1, Pick 3: Tessa Janecke

Tessa Janecke became the highest-drafted player in program history when PWHL Las Vegas selected the star forward with the No. 3 overall pick.

She racked up 26 goals and 22 assists for a team-high 48 points last season despite missing time while participating with Team USA at the Olympics. Janecke played a crucial role in Penn State’s postseason run, including four goals in the AHA tournament and three goals in the NCAA tournament.

Her four-year career in Happy Valley included program records in goals (89), assists (112), points (201) and multi-goal games (17), and she claimed three consecutive AHA Player of the Year nods as well as finishing as a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award last season.

Round 3, Pick 27: Leah Stecker

In the third round, defender Leah Stecker was selected with the No. 27 overall pick by the Boston Fleet.

Stecker appeared in 152 games across four seasons as a Nittany Lion, recording 12 goals and 45 assists with a +/- of 75. She totaled 83 blocks, including a career-best 32 in 2025-26.

Round 3, Pick 33: Maddy Christian

Just six picks later, forward Maddy Christian came off the board to the Minnesota Frost. She racked up 46 goals and 38 assists across the last four seasons, with a bulk of the production (40 goals, 28 assists) coming the last two years.

The lefty added 86 blocks defensively and finished her Penn State career with a +/- of 54. Christian was an All-AHA first-team selection in 2024-25 and earned second-team accolades last season.

Round 4, Pick 37: Katie DeSa

After 2.5 seasons starting in net, goaltender Kate DeSa is headed to Canada to join the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

Through 81 appearances, DeSa mounted an impressive 64-13-3 record, posting a save percentage of 0.932. She set program records for winning percentage (.818) and goals allowed per game (1.43), as well as career shutouts (25), earning AHA Goaltender of the Year on back-to-back occasions.

She was also selected as a semifinalist for the Hockey Commissioners Association Goalie of the Year Award after a 27-4 record last season.

DeSa joins former Nittany Lion Brianna Brooks, who was taken No. 32 overall in the fourth round by the Vancouver Goldeneyes last offseason.

Round 4, Pick 43: Katelyn Roberts

Janecke’s partner in crime on the top line, forward Katelyn Roberts is also headed to the PWHL after being taken No. 43 overall by the New York Sirens.

Roberts accumulated 43 goals and 60 assists across four seasons, finishing with a +/- of 64. She posted a career-best 16 goals last season en route to second-team all-conference honors, following up on a 2024-25 campaign where she earned first-team laurels.

Round 5, Pick 49: Kendall Butze

Defender Kendall Butze slipped further than expected but was scooped up in the fifth round by PWHL Las Vegas, where she’ll reunite with Janecke.

Butze totaled 15 goals and 79 assists across four seasons with Penn State, making her the highest-scoring defender in program history with 94 career points. She added 155 blocks, including a team-best 53 last season.

Butze was named the AHA Defender of the Year in back-to-back seasons and was named to the AHA All-Tournament team last season.

Round 6, Pick 66: Mya Vaslet

The final Nittany Lion drafted was forward Mya Vaslet, who was taken by PWHL Hamilton with its final selection in the sixth round.

Vaslet totaled 30 goals and 30 assists across five seasons with the program, including a redshirt year in 2024-25 due to injury. She posted a career +/- of 50 and consistently came through in the clutch with seven career AHA tournament goals.