DETROIT — The Ottawa Charge selected defender Vivian Jungels of the University of Wisconsin with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Draft on Wednesday, adding a highly regarded collegiate blue-liner as the team seeks to reshape its roster following offseason changes.
The draft, held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, marked the largest in league history, with 12 teams participating following the addition of four expansion franchises. Ottawa entered the event with the 11th selection in each round after the league announced the draft order earlier in the week.
Jungels, a defender from Wisconsin, was among several players from the university selected in the opening round. Ottawa used its first-round pick to address a position group affected by player departures during the league’s expansion process, according to reporting ahead of the draft.
Speaking after being selected, Jungels described her style of play as balanced at both ends of the ice.
“I would say I’m a two-way defenceman,” Jungels said. “I can either jump up in the play and also be back to anchor. Whatever the team needs, and I think I’m a very team-first type of player that is fun to have around.”
Ottawa General Manager Mike Hirshfeld had said before the draft that the organization intended to focus on the best player available while addressing needs among both forwards and defenders. He noted that the club did not plan to use a selection on a goaltender.
Jungels was one of several Wisconsin players chosen in the first round, underscoring the strength of the university’s program. The draft’s top selection was fellow Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey, who was taken first overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
The Charge continued their draft by selecting additional players in later rounds, including forward Jordan Ray with the 23rd overall pick. Ottawa added six players in total during the draft as it worked to replenish depth across its lineup.
The 2026 PWHL Draft concluded Wednesday evening, and the league’s newest draft class will now compete for roster spots ahead of the 2026-27 season.
