Prince Albert's Brooke Hobson poses for a photo after getting drafted by New York in the inaugural PWHL draft on Monday. (X/Northeastern Women’s Hockey)

By Logan Lehmann

From PA to NY

‘Beyond thrilled’: P.A.’s Hobson reflects on PWHL draft, looks forward to new chapter in Big Apple

Sep 21, 2023 | 1:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Brooke Hobson is set to embark on the next chapter of her already storied hockey career.

The 24-year-old was a part of a historic day in the sport when she heard her name get called in the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft in Toronto.

The draft was held on Monday with Hobson being drafted in the eighth round, 45^th overall, by New York.

“It was a super exciting day right from the start,” she said. “There was a lot of nerves throughout the first few rounds. Hearing people’s names get called, it was exciting but definitely nerve-wracking before my name was called and once I did hear New York say my name, it was a lot of relief and excitement. It was a surreal moment and the production they put on was phenomenal and they made it a very special moment.”

Hobson donned the Mann-Northway Northern Bear black and orange for five seasons before shipping up to Boston and joining the Northeastern University (NEU) Huskies. There, she spent five seasons while wearing the ‘C’ for her final two years with the program. Following her last season with NEU in 2022, Hobson went across the pond and played in Sweden for a season before coming back to North America and getting drafted into the PWHL.

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Along with New York, the new league will house five other teams in its inaugural season, including clubs in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, and Minnesota. When asked about the possibility of getting drafted by Boston back on Monday, Hobson said she wasn’t opposed to moving back to Beantown but is ecstatic to begin a new journey in the Big Apple.

“It was on my mind that I wouldn’t mind going back to Boston,” she said. “But with the skill in this league, it’s a really big honour to go anywhere and I knew that going into the draft. I also knew that New York was a team that was also on my mind, that I would want to see and explore something new.”

“I’m beyond thrilled to be in New York,” Hobson continued. “I think a big reason that I’m so excited about New York is not only the new experience but I do know a lot of the girls who also signed there and were drafted there and they’re just phenomenal people, along with players. I definitely think that I ended up in the spot that I’m meant to be in and that’s the best case for me.”

Although the league has yet to unveil its team’s names, logos, team colours, and arenas, dates for the start of PWHL’s training camp and regular season are in place. The inaugural training camp begins on Nov. 13 while the first 24-game regular season getting underway in January.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com