PWHL San Jose Strengthens Roster with Draft Picks Shannon, Van Gelder, and Kirchmair

PWHL San Jose made significant strides in their inaugural draft by selecting forwards Lily Shannon, Mckenna Van Gelder, and Reichen Kirchmair. The team's first pick, at number 40, was the remarkable Lily Shannon, a 5-foot-10 forward known for her inspiring journey despite facing moderate hearing loss.

Shannon, who wears hearing aids, showcased her talent at Northeastern University, where she served as captain during her senior year. She notched an impressive 19 goals and 43 points over 39 games. The Hockey News ranked her 18th in her class and fourth among centers, with analyst Ian Kennedy noting her versatility and potential for a professional impact. “As Northeastern’s captain, she’s showing a more versatile game, including offensively,” Kennedy remarked.

In a light moment during her post-draft interview, Shannon humorously expressed her relief at being selected, saying, “I was happy to get picked because I had to pee and couldn’t leave my seat.” She also expressed her ambition to bring a Walter Cup to PWHL San Jose.

The team’s second pick, Mckenna Van Gelder, was chosen at number 52. The 5-foot-7 center had a notable season at Cornell University, scoring 10 goals and contributing 23 points. Analyst Kyle Cushman highlighted her strong faceoff performance, stating she won 61% of her draws, making her a strong candidate for a fourth-line role. Van Gelder noted her connection with teammate Rory Guilday, saying, “I love Rory…she’s just like a ray of sunshine in the locker room, and then she’s just this absolute beast on the ice.”

Finally, at number 64, San Jose selected Reichen Kirchmair, a 5-foot-8 winger who recorded 14 goals and 25 points in 35 games at Providence College. Cushman described Kirchmair as a “shot threat” and she expressed excitement about joining her new teammates, mentioning, “Lily Shannon’s a great player…super-talented.”