New York Sirens pick Czech forward Kristýna Kaltounková 1st overall in PWHL draft
CBC
The New York Sirens selected Colgate University forward Kristýna Kaltounková with the first pick in the 2025 PWHL draft on Tuesday, adding a power forward with a penchant for scoring goals.
Kaltounková became the first European player drafted first overall into the PWHL, and the highest drafted player from the Czech Republic.
"What a great honour representing not just myself, but my country and my teammates," Kaltounková told reporters inside Ottawa's Hard Rock Hotel after the historic pick.
Earlier this year, Kaltounková became the first player from the Czech Republic to become a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in college hockey. In her final season of college hockey, she produced 48 points in 37 games.
She is Colgate's all-time leading goal scorer, potting 111 goals over five seasons.
In her world championship debut this past spring, Kaltounková tied for the team lead in points (six in seven games), and turned a lot of heads in the process.
WATCH | Sirens tab Kaltounková with top pick:
The Sirens could slot Kaltounková on its first line alongside Sarah Fillier. That would give the team two bonafide shooting threats on one line, and would fill the hole left by the departure of Alex Carpenter.
The five-foot-nine forward should also be able to help make space for Fillier's skill on the ice.
"Physicality is a big part and a big piece, but I can also bring a lot of leadership, I believe," Kaltounková said. "I like to play with my heart and battle hard, and just always have my teammates' backs."
Kaltounková is New York's second first-overall pick in three PWHL seasons, after GM Pascal Daoust picked Fillier in 2024.
New York made another big splash in the first round, moving top defender Ella Shelton to Toronto in exchange for the Sceptres' first- and fourth-round picks.
The Sirens used the pick acquired from Toronto to pick the other top forward in the draft, the University of Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien.
A centre with high-end vision, O'Brien will add more skill to New York's forward group.
