Lacey Eden became one of the headline names of the 2026 PWHL draft after the Annapolis native was selected 5th overall by the new Las Vegas franchise on Wednesday. The move sends a proven Wisconsin forward into an expansion project that will start play next season, as noted by the Baltimore Chronicle.
Lacey Eden joins a new Las Vegas PWHL team
Eden, 24, arrives with a résumé built for pressure. She played forward at the University of Wisconsin, where she won 4 national championships and finished her final college season with 77 points in 41 games.
Las Vegas used its first-round pick on a player who can help shape a roster from day 1. Eden said after the selection that she was excited to help build the franchise.
Why the pick matters for Maryland hockey
The selection is also a local milestone. Eden is from Annapolis, Maryland, and has represented the United States at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Her next step comes under head coach Kim Weiss, another Maryland native. Weiss previously worked with the Maryland Black Bears before joining the Las Vegas PWHL project.
Main facts from the pick:
- Player: Lacey Eden
- Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
- Draft slot: 5th overall
- Team: Las Vegas PWHL
- Position: forward
- College: Wisconsin
The pick gives Las Vegas a forward with scoring production, championship experience and U.S. national-team background. For Eden, it is also a clear jump from NCAA dominance to a professional league still expanding its footprint.
Key details from Lacey Eden’s path
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draft year | 2026 |
| Overall pick | 5 |
| New team | Las Vegas PWHL |
| NCAA team | Wisconsin |
| National titles | 4 |
| 2025-26 points | 77 |
Eden’s profile fits what expansion teams often need early: credibility, pace and a player used to winning. Las Vegas now gets a forward who can become part of the club’s first identity, not just its first roster.
Earlier we wrote about World Cup 2026 scandal: why the United States blocked Switzerland star Breel Embolo before departure