Wealth of experienced international talent up for grabs in 2024 PWHL draft

Daniela Pejšová has spent years watching the NHL draft and feeling excited for the men who get to have their draft moment.

But she always wished she could dream about being drafted.

On Monday, the Czech defender will get that chance. She'll get to walk across the stage and pull on a sweater from the PWHL team that chooses her. It's a moment she'll travel across the world to experience.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's true," Pejšová said. "I'm very excited."

Forty-two players will hear their name called during the seven-round PWHL draft on Monday in St. Paul, Minn. The draft, which will be streamed on the league's YouTube channel, begins at 7 p.m. ET.

WATCH | Previewing the 2024 PWHL draft on CBC Sports' Hockey North:

New York will select first, followed by Ottawa, Minnesota, Boston, Montreal and Toronto. That order, which is based on regular-season standings, will repeat over all seven rounds.

More than 160 players have declared themselves for the draft and will be eligible to be selected, including players from 19 countries. 

"Players are getting better and players are coming from everywhere nowadays," said American national team defender and top draft prospect Cayla Barnes, who grew up in California. "You see it at women's worlds. Teams are getting better. Games are close. It's amazing to see."

Pejšová played for powerhouse Luleå Hockey in the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) last season and won a league championship. She also plays on the Czech Republic national team, and is expected to be selected in the first two or three rounds of Monday's draft.

Pejšová didn't plan to return to Luleå next season. As the inaugural PWHL season went on and she watched from afar, she kept thinking about the possibility of moving to North America.

It was encouragement from her best friend, PWHL Montreal defender Dominika Lásková, who convinced her to take the next step and declare for the draft.

Pejšová, who turns 22 in August, could be the youngest player to compete in the PWHL next season.

The draft isn't just the way into the PWHL for young and emerging players. Veteran players who'd like to enter the league have to go through the draft, too.