LAS VEGAS, NV – PWHL Las Vegas today announced that forwards Issy Wunder and Josefin Bouveng, and defender Kendall Butze, have each been signed to two-year Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreements through the 2027-28 season. Wunder was a second-round pick, Bouveng a third-round pick, and Butze a fifth-round pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft, representing three of PWHL Las Vegas’ eight-member inaugural draft class.
Wunder, a Toronto, ON, native, was selected 13th overall following four NCAA seasons at Princeton University. Renowned for her creative gameplay in difficult areas and a highly acclaimed hockey sense, the 22-year-old led the Tigers in goals (27) and points (43) during the 2025-26 season and was named Ivy League Player of the Year, All-ECAC First Team, and a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, each for the second consecutive season. Wunder finished her collegiate career with 146 points (70G, 76A) in 129 games.
A native of Uppsala, Sweden, Bouveng was selected 29th overall and widely considered one of the more polished international forwards in the draft. The 25-year-old played four NCAA seasons at the University of Minnesota, appearing in 143 career games and recording 142 points (56G, 86A). In her senior season, Bouveng finished second on the Gophers in scoring with 43 points (15G, 28A) in 31 games and represented Sweden in Milano Cortina, her second Olympic Winter Games. She has also competed in four IIHF Women’s World Championships.
Butze, a Cleveland, OH, native, was selected 49th overall and the only defender chosen by PWHL Las Vegas in the draft, bringing her puck-moving skills and ability to drive the offense from the blue line to the PWHL. The 23-year-old spent four years at Penn State University where she became the program’s all-time leader in career points by a defender with 94, including a record 79 assists. Last season, Butze appeared in all 39 games, recording career highs in goals (5), assists (28), and points (33) and was named the AHA’s Best Defender for the second consecutive season.
Wunder, Bouveng and Butze join a PWHL Las Vegas lineup that now has 18 players under contract for the upcoming season, including first-round draft picks Tessa Janecke (third overall) and Lacey Eden (fifth overall).
PWHL Las Vegas makes their historic debut at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, Dec. 6, facing off against PWHL Detroit at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased online here. Fans interested in multiple games can purchase Season Ticket Memberships, offering the best value and benefits, and Flex Packs that went on sale with the full schedule release on Friday, Oct. 2. Fans can also stay up to date on detailed ticketing information by signing up for the Official PWHL Las Vegas Newsletter, here, opens in a new tab.
A complete list of player signings and transactions is available on the official PWHL Transactions Page. To see the full overview of the status of PWHL player contracts, visit the PWHL Contract Guide here.
ABOUT PWHL LAS VEGAS
PWHL Las Vegas is one of 12 teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which was founded in 2023. The PWHL began its inaugural season in January 2024 and features the best women’s hockey players in the world. PWHL Las Vegas was officially announced as one of the league’s four new expansion teams on May 13 and will debut at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 6 at 5:00 PM PT. Fans can purchase tickets here, to secure access to season tickets for PWHL Las Vegas’ historic inaugural season. To learn more and stay up to date, visit LasVegasPWHL.com, subscribe to PWHL Las Vegas’ newsletter here, opens in a new tab, and follow the team on Facebook PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab, Instagram @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, X @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, TikTok @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, YouTube PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab, Threads @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, Bluesky @PWHL-LasVegas, opens in a new tab, and LinkedIn PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab.
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