PWHL Detroit Builds Roster Around Knight, Bilka Core
The expansion franchise has signed 15 players, including three defenders and a goaltender, as it prepares for its inaugural 2026-27 season.
PWHL Detroit has assembled 15 players under contract as the expansion franchise takes shape ahead of its first season. The roster includes forwards Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, Jesse Compher, Britta Curl-Salemme, Shiann Darkangelo, Taylor Girard, Daryl Watts, and Olivia Wallin, according to thepwhl.com.
On the blue line, Detroit signed Michigan native Mellissa Channell-Watkins and Stephanie Markowski to two-year deals through 2027-28, while Mia Biotti signed for one year. They join defenders Cayla Barnes, Sydney Bard, and Nina Jobst-Smith. Goaltender Alice Philbert signed a two-year agreement through 2027-28 on June 22, per thepwhl.com.
Detroit acquired Knight in a trade with PWHL Las Vegas and selected Barnes, Bilka, Compher, Curl-Salemme, and Watts in the expansion draft. Knight and Bilka previously played together, a connection observers noted when analyzing the team's direction, according to theixsports.com.
The team added six players in the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17, including Swiss goaltender Andrea Brändli in the second round. Detroit selected four forwards, one defender, and one goaltender in the draft, per thepwhl.com.
"We're building a team that plays fast and is relentless," general manager Manon Rhéaume said after the draft, according to thepwhl.com.
