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
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Anne Hathaway confirms 'Princess Diaries 3': 'Miracles happen'
You might be thinking, 'Shut up!' but it’s officially true: the 'Princess Diaries' franchise is finally growing.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sask. man pleads guilty in U.S. after unknowingly providing videos of men raping toddlers to FBI agent
A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.