WATERLOO, Ont. - Two recently graduated Golden Hawk women's hockey standouts are set to take the next step in their careers after forward Elle Spencer and goaltender Kayla Renaud officially declared for the 2026 PWHL Draft presented by Upper Deck.

The draft is scheduled for June 17, beginning at 5 pm, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, with a record 236 players declaring eligibility. The Vancouver Goldeneyes hold the first overall selection.

The draft will feature six rounds and 48 total picks.

Spencer enters the draft following one of the strongest offensive campaigns in Ontario University Athletics. The Golden Hawks forward finished tied for third in the conference with 14 goals and tied for 12th with 21 points. She also ranked among the OUA's leaders in shots on goal with 109, scoring chances with 91 and posted a +15 rating while averaging 19:20 minutes of ice time per game.

"Elle brought an elite competitive spirit to our program every day for five years at Laurier," said Laurier manager of women's hockey operations Kelly Paton.

"She has one of the best shots in U SPORTS and a rare ability to beat goaltenders clean from anywhere in the offensive zone. Beyond her offensive production, Elle consistently made meaningful contributions to our team's success through her work ethic, determination, and commitment to improving her game.

Renaud also capped her university career with a standout season between the pipes. The Golden Hawks netminder posted a 10-1 record in 11 appearances, leading the OUA with a .909 winning percentage while finishing second in both goals-against average at 0.96 and save percentage at .952. She also recorded five shutouts and ranked among the conference leaders in goals saved above expected at +2.5.

"Kayla showed tremendous growth and development throughout her career as a goaltender in U SPORTS," said Paton.

"Coming off a strong senior season as part of the top goaltending tandem in the country, Kayla consistently demonstrated her ability to rise to the challenge against elite competition and give our team a chance to win every night. What stands out most about Kayla is not only her composure in high-pressure moments, but also her natural leadership and the maturity she brought to our program throughout her career.

"We are very proud of both Elle and Kayla for everything they accomplished during their time at Laurier and look forward to seeing what opportunities come next for them."

View the complete 2026 PWHL Draft Eligibility List