Hamilton selects – Hamilton used its No. 18 pick to draft Brown University forward Jade Iginla in the 2026 PWHL Draft, adding another member of the Iginla hockey family to its inaugural roster. The expansion franchise also selected Nelli Laitinen 6th overall, with Hamilton set t
Hamilton is moving quickly toward its first PWHL season, and on draft night it chose a name that comes with instant hockey weight.
With its second selection in the 2026 PWHL Draft, the newly established Hamilton outfit selected Brown University forward Jade Iginla 18th overall. That pick followed Hamilton’s earlier move to take Nelli Laitinen from Ohio State with the No. 6 overall selection.
Jade Iginla, 21, will now bring her game to the expansion franchise after a standout college run. Last season with the Brown Bears, she scored 17 goals and added 16 assists for a collegiate-career-high 33 points. The year came after she registered 16 points in 2024-25.
Across four seasons in college hockey, Iginla totaled 99 points. She also wore the captain’s armband at Brown for her final two seasons, a role that helped shape her leadership reputation going into the pro ranks.
Her last name carries its own history. Iginla is the daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who recorded 1,300 points across 1,554 regular-season NHL games and won a pair of gold medals representing Canada at the Olympics.
For Hamilton, it’s more than draft-day symbolism—it’s a player with pedigree and production, paired with the league’s next chapter in the city. The team will begin play this fall after being awarded the 10th franchise in league history in a May announcement.
The Iginla family connection doesn’t end there. Jade joins her younger brother, Tij, as a professional following in their father’s footsteps. Tij was taken in the first round, sixth overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Utah Mammoth while playing for the Kelowna Rockets.
Hamilton’s selections suggest it’s building for both immediate impact and long-term identity, and with Jade Iginla off the board at No. 18, the franchise has secured a core piece for its inaugural season.
PWHL Draft Hamilton Jade Iginla Brown University Nelli Laitinen Ohio State expansion franchise Tij Iginla Utah Mammoth Kelowna Rockets
Jade Iginla at 18 is kind of wild, like the name alone should sell tickets.
Wait so Hamilton’s team is called the Hamilton something? expansion teams always pick like 2 people and suddenly they’re stacked. Also Jarome Iginla’s kid?? that’s unfair advantage lol.
I thought Hamilton was already in the league like years ago, so this is their first season? anyway 6th overall for Nelli Laitinen from Ohio State sounds right, I just didn’t realize women’s hockey recruiting was this fast. Brown university forward captain, cool cool… but is she gonna be defense or just goals?
18th overall and they chose another Iginla… so they’re basically going for dynasty mode? I mean Hamilton better not blow it, because if she’s related to Jarome then surely she’s elite already. And the “Mammoth” thing in the NHL draft, isn’t that just like a typo? I don’t follow PWHL so I’m probably missing something.