They may not have a name yet, but Seattle’s Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion team has finally made the first additions to its roster.

The expansion draft for the PWHL is not until June 9, however the exclusive signing window is something slightly different. After existing teams submit their list of “protected players”, the signing window opens, giving new teams the ability to sign free agents already in the league.

After the exclusive signing window closes on June 8, the official expansion draft will begin the next day, allowing Seattle and Vancouver the ability to pick at least seven players on existing PWHL teams until each team has a roster of 12 players each.

The expansion draft is followed by the 2025 PWHL Draft, where teams get to pick up young talent entering the league for the first time.

Seattle made quick work of the signing window, adding five players to its ranks as the team looks to forge its identity in the coming weeks. With these five signings, the Seattle roster currently looks like thin.

Hilary Knight — Forward

Knight, who played two seasons with the Boston Fleet as its captain, was the first member to join Seattle’s ranks. She led the Fleet to the PWHL Finals in their inaugural season, inevitably losing to the Minnesota Frost, who have won back-to-back titles. Through two seasons she has tallied 40 points and 21 goals. In this most recent season, she finished tied for first in points at 29 as well as tied for second in goals at 15.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women’s hockey to the Pacific Northwest,” Knight said. “Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I’m beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city. I’m grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter.”

Playing in Climate Pledge Arena will be no surprise for Knight, given that she played at the rink during the PWHL’s Takeover Series on Jan. 5.

Beyond the PWHL, Knight has competed internationally, representing the United States in four straight Olympics and wining one gold and three silver medals in the process. She also has the record for the most International Women’s Hockey Federaration Women’s World Championships, with 10 gold and five silver medals. In that tournament she is the all-time leader in goals, assists and points. Additionally, she holds the record for most games played in the Olympics by a U.S Women’s hockey player.

She is a top goal scorer, points producer, veteran talent and a leader on the ice. If Seattle was looking to build culture, they made a good start with Knight.

Danielle Serdachny — Forward

Second on the docket was Serdachny, who finished her rookie season with the Ottawa Charge after they lost to the Frost in the finals. As the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, she got off to an underwhelming start, only scoring two goals and six assists in her first 30 games, ranking her No. 12 among rookie point scorers.

“Danielle is a tremendous addition to our group,” said Turner, Seattle’s general manager. “She’s strong, plays through contact and she’s only beginning to tap into her full potential. Her ability to possess the puck and make plays under pressure will be a big asset for us as we build the identity of PWHL Seattle.”

In her college days, Serdachny racked up 82 goals and 157 assists through 180 games played for the Colgate Raiders. She has made three appearances for Canada at the Women’s World Championships, winning gold in 2024 and silver in both 2023 and 2025.

Serdachny brings what Seattle needs at the table: young talent with a high ceiling. With the superstar locked down for two years in the PNW, Seattle has the chance to develop her into a difference-maker that will turn heads.

Cayla Barnes — Defenseman

One rookie was not enough, as Seattle scooped up Barnes coming off her first season with the Montreal Victoire. Similar to Serdachny, Barnes was a first round draft pick, going fifth overall in 2024. She led the Victoire in points among defenseman at 13 points, which also ranked her fifth among rookies.

“Adding Cayla is a big step for our team,” said Turner. “She’s a dynamic defender who moves the puck well and consistently contributes offensively. Even as a rookie last season, she played with the poise and presence of a veteran, and we see her playing a key role on our blue line.”

In college, she started in Boston before transferring to Ohio State University. It was with the Buckeyes that she went on to win the NCAA National Championship in 2024, boosting her draft value and recognition in the league. Through 170 NCAA games she recorded 111 points, 31 goals, 80 assists and a career high 36 points in 39 games her senior year.

She has represented the United States in six Women’s World Championships, winning three gold and three silver medals evenly. She is also a two-time Olympic medalist, winning gold and silver with the United States.

Along with Serdachny, Barnes serves as the young backbone of Seattle as they add superstars to their roster. Her power from the blue-line makes her a quality addition to the lineup that Seattle will lean on heavily.

Alex Carpenter — Forward

After two seasons with the New York Sirens, Carpenter decided to move coast to coast and sign with Seattle. Similar to Knight, she is a talented pick up for the team. She is third in the PWHL for all-time points at 43 and for points per game at 0.86. She is tied for first in all-time power play points, with five goals and 13 assists. Special teams production can make or break a hockey team and Carpenter can be the foundation of a strong power play.

“Joining Seattle, a city known for its passionate sports fans, is something I’m truly looking forward to,” Carpenter said. “I’m eager to build something special and bring a championship to Seattle.”

The 31-year-old veteran was a voted a First-Team All-Star and was a finalist for both Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player. While she may not be as decorated as Knight, her PWHL production speaks volumes to her potential impact in Seattle.

A special teams spark plug, a veteran presence and an All-Star talent. Carpenter is a culture-building acquisition that could create one of the strongest power plays in the PWHL.

Corrine Schroeder — Goalie

Championships are often won by goaltenders, and Seattle wasted no time swiping one off the market. Schroeder, who played for the Sirens like Carpenter, is already enshrined in PWHL history as she recorded the league’s first shutout in 2024. She was picked 33^rd overall in the PWHL’s inaugural draft and posted a 0.930 save percentage and was a finalist for goaltender of the year in her first year in the league.

“Signing Corinne is a huge step for our team,” said Turner. “She brings poise, confidence and the kind of elite goal tending every team needs to win, and we can’t wait to see her between the pipes for us.”

This most recent season she posted four shutouts, the most by any goalie in the league, and had back-to-back shutouts twice. She is third in all-time saves at 1,005 and is the leader for all-time shutouts at five. She played professionally before the PWHL, playing one season with the Boston Pride in the Premier Hockey Federation before she entered the draft with the PWHL. In her one season in the PHF, she won Goaltender of the Year, adding yet another accolade to her already strong resume.

A team packed with talented skaters is only as strong as the woman between the pipes. By signing a record setting, experienced and shutout-prone goalie in Schroeder, Seattle will lock down the crease consistently for at least two years.

These five players are just the first members joining the Emerald City. Seattle will select up to seven more players in the 2025 Expansion Draft in order to flesh out their lineup. Fans can watch the Expansion Draft on the league’s website and YouTube at 8:30 pm ET on June 9.