Daryl Watts Joins PWHL Detroit for Inaugural Season
The 27-year-old star forward signs a four-year contract to anchor the new PWHL Detroit franchise.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Hockey
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Forward Daryl Watts has signed a four-year contract to become the first player signed by PWHL Detroit. She will join the team for its upcoming 2026 inaugural season.
Why it matters
Securing a high-scoring veteran provides a foundational building block for the expansion franchise as it enters its first year of professional competition.
Daryl Watts enters Detroit with 32 all-time league goals and 63 total career points. She previously hit the 50-point milestone against the Minnesota Frost in 2025.
The players
Daryl Watts
A 27-year-old professional hockey forward who ranks second all-time in league goals and third in total points.
PWHL Detroit
An expansion franchise in the Professional Women's Hockey League preparing to debut in the 2026 season.
Toronto Sceptres
The professional hockey club where Watts competed prior to her transfer to the Detroit franchise.
Minnesota Frost
A professional hockey team in the league that served as the opponent during Watts' 50th career point milestone.
The details
Watts moves to Detroit after previously playing for the Toronto Sceptres. The signing was confirmed via a video interview with CBS News Detroit as the team begins assembling its roster.
Timeline
2025: Daryl Watts reached her 50th career point against the Minnesota Frost.
2026: PWHL Detroit begins its inaugural season.
Season Trajectory
This signing establishes a veteran core for PWHL Detroit as the franchise aims to compete immediately in the league. It sets a high bar for recruitment among expansion teams looking to balance experienced stars with incoming draft talent.
Watts brings a career production rate that includes 63 all-time points to a new lineup. Her presence as the primary offensive anchor significantly alters the team's power play configuration and season outlook.
The takeaway
Focusing on experienced veteran acquisitions provides stability for teams navigating their first professional season. Aspiring players can look to Watts' consistent statistical output as a roadmap for developing a high-impact offensive game.
Further reading
For more on roster moves, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 94.7 WCSX.
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