The PWHL’s Draft Mentorship Event in Detroit brought young hockey players face-to-face with professional players for a day all will remember

Hours before the first selections were announced at the 2026 PWHL Draft in Detroit, 100 local high school girls had the chance to experience something just as meaningful: direct access to some of the players and mentors helping shape the future of women’s hockey.

Hosted by the Professional Women's Hockey League in partnership with Strong Girls United, opens in a new tab and presented by Acrisure, opens in a new tab, the Draft Mentorship Event brought together student hockey players to discuss and learn about confidence, leadership and resilience before they took their seats to watch the league’s newest class of players hear their names called.

Explaining the inspiration for the event, the PWHL’s Director, Social Responsibility, Erin Ostlund, said, “Representation matters, but access matters too. When girls have the opportunity to connect directly with professional players, ask questions, share experiences, and see what is possible for themselves, it can change the way they view their future in the sport. Our goal is to create environments where girls feel supported, empowered, and excited to stay involved in hockey for years to come.”

The six-hour program combined athlete storytelling, small-group workshops and networking opportunities with an unforgettable finish: a walk down the Draft red carpet and seats in the Fox Theatre to watch the draft itself.

The centerpiece of the afternoon was a panel featuring Michigan natives Elle Hartje, Megan Keller and Clara Van Wieren, moderated by Olympic gold medalist, broadcaster and co-host of Jocks in Jills, Tessa Bonhomme. Together, the four discussed the role mentors played in their own journeys from local rinks to the professional level and encouraged attendees to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth.

Conversation topics ranged from mental performance and handling pressure to overcoming disappointment and finding confidence after being cut from a team. The athletes also reflected on the significance of having a professional women’s hockey team in Michigan, imagining how today’s expanded opportunities might have changed their own experiences growing up in the state.

The discussion continued beyond the stage. Following the panel, participants joined the players for informal conversations during a rooftop networking reception, where group photos and one-on-one interactions helped transform inspiration into personal connection.

Another memorable element came through a collaboration with local social enterprise Rebel Nell, opens in a new tab, which creates “distinctive jewelry made from repurposed graffiti and materials.” Draft Mentorship Program attendees contributed words and phrases inspired by the afternoon to a shared art piece that will are being transformed into custom bracelets, giving participants a tangible reminder of the lessons and relationships formed during the event.

After breakout sessions centered on leadership and goal setting, the group made its way to the draft venue, where many experienced the excitement of the league’s marquee offseason event from inside the arena. By pairing mentorship programming with the draft itself, event organizers connected the aspirations discussed throughout the afternoon with the visible reality of women earning opportunities at the highest level of the sport.

The event concluded with remarks from presenting sponsor Acrisure that echoed many of the day’s central themes. Referencing Strong Girls United’s mission of building “Strong Bodies, Kind Hearts and Unstoppable Minds,” Acrisure representative Sarah Kline, Director of Growth, Michigan, challenged attendees to recognize that leadership is not about becoming someone else but about embracing their own strengths.

“Every woman here today, Megan, Clara, Elle, Tessa, every person who showed up didn't have to be here,” Kline said. “They came because of kind hearts. I hope you carry that forward. Not by becoming any of them, but by figuring out who you are, and then turning around to do the same for someone else.”

That sentiment was reflected throughout the afternoon. From professional athletes sharing candid stories of adversity to students asking thoughtful questions about confidence and mental health, the event underscored that mentorship extends well beyond hockey. It is about creating environments where young people feel seen, encouraged and empowered to pursue ambitious goals.

It made an impact on the special guests as well. “Spending time with the girls at the Draft Mentorship Event was incredibly rewarding,” said Hartje. “Connecting with them is truly one of the highlights of being a professional player, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share in their experience.” 

As the focus shifted from workshops and conversations to the opening picks of the 2026 PWHL Draft, participants carried with them more than memories of a special event. They left having heard firsthand from athletes who once stood where they are now, and with a reminder that perseverance, authenticity and a willingness to lift others can shape careers both on and off the ice. 

For many in attendance, the draft may have celebrated the next generation of professional players. But the mentorship event that preceded it served as a powerful investment in the generation still finding its path.