Kanata's Rattray won't play for hometown in PWHL; Ottawa selects USA's Harmon in first round
Kanata native and Olympic gold medallist Jamie-Lee Rattray has been selected in Monday's Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) inaugural draft, but she will be lacing up against her hometown team.
Boston drafted Rattray with its third-round pick in Monday's draft, taking her 15th overall.
Rattray, 30, was on Canada's Olympic gold-winning women's hockey team in 2022. She also won gold for Canada at the 2010 IIHF under-18 championships and has two gold medals from the women's world hockey championships.
Speaking to CTV News Ottawa when the league was announced in August, Rattray said she was excited for the future, even if she didn't end up playing for Ottawa.
"Obvioiusly, playing at home would mean a lot to me and be super special, but I think, in general, I think going to Ottawa to play, even against the Ottawa team, would be special for me and my family," she said.
Another Ottawa native, Rebecca Leslie, was drafted by Toronto in the 12th round.
Ottawa selects U.S. defender in first round
With its first-round pick, Ottawa selected American defender Savannah Harmon fifth overall. Harmon, 27, was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2023 women's world championships and silver medallist on the U.S. 2022 Olympic team.
Speaking to TSN, Harmon said she's focused on being a reliable defender for Ottawa.
"I want to be someone who works hard and is reliable and contribute on both ends of the ice, and so, just do what I can from the back end to help the forwards," she said.
She will join 14 other draft picks and Canadian Olympians Emily Clark (F), Brianne Jenner (F) and Emerance Maschmeyer (G) in the nation's capital, playing out of TD Place Arena.
There are 15 total rounds in the 2023 draft, as each of the six teams fill out their rosters.
The as-yet unnamed Ottawa team will be coached by Carla MacLeod. Michael Hirshfeld has been named general manager.
The inaugural season is expected to begin in January.
Ottawa draft picks
- Savannah Harmon (D)
- Ashton Bell (D)
- Jincy Dunne-Roese (D)
- Gabrielle Hughes (F)
- Hayley Scamurra (F)
- Darryl Watts (F)
- Aneta Tejralova (D)
- Kateřina Mrázov (F)
- Zoe Boyd (D)
- Kristin Della Rovere (F)
- Lexi Adzija (F)
- Sandra Absteite (G)
- Amanda Boulier (D)
- Caitrin Lonergan (F)
- Audrey-Anne Veillette (F)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

House Speaker Anthony Rota apologizes after inviting man who fought for Nazis to Parliament
Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Writers Guild and Hollywood studios reach tentative deal to end strike. No deal yet for actors
Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a historic screenwriters strike after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors.
Toronto woman hospitalized overseas with botulism
A Toronto woman has been hospitalized in France with a severe case of botulism after eating improperly preserved sardines at a Bordeaux wine bar.
Russia strikes Odessa, damaging port, grain infrastructure and abandoned hotel
A Russian drone and missile strike near Odessa damaged port infrastructure, a grain silo and an abandoned hotel and injured one person, as attacks on Ukraine killed four civilians and wounded 13 in the past day, Ukrainian officials said Monday.
Four in 10 child patients face unsafe spinal surgery wait times in Canada: report
Four out of ten child patients in Canada are facing unsafe spinal surgery wait times, which could cost the health-care system $44.6 million, according to a new report that was published Monday.
Thousands of Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh as Turkish president is set to visit Azerbaijan
Thousands of Armenians streamed out of Nagorno-Karabakh after the Azerbaijani military reclaimed full control of the breakaway region while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was set to visit Azerbaijan Monday in a show of support to its ally.
Taylor Swift turns out to see Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs play Chicago Bears
Travis Kelce put the ball in Taylor Swift's court, and she wound up bringing it to Arrowhead Stadium after all. Call it what you want. It's out of the woods now.
Man hospitalized in life-threatening condition after incident at Calgary pub holding eating contest
Calgary paramedics took a man to hospital in life-threatening condition on Saturday after an incident at the Ship and Anchor pub.
These are the 5 headlines you should read this morning
Controversy ensues after a Nazi veteran was applauded in Parliament, Canadian autoworkers reach a deal with Ford, and a group of sentors say Canada's international student program faces "integrity challenges."