PWHL Las Vegas Signed Lacey Eden to Two-Year Contract

The former Wisconsin forward joins the team after being selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the inaugural draft.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a hockey player in Vegas gold and charcoal grey, mid-stride on the ice. — PWHL Las Vegas has signed two-time world champion Lacey Eden to a two-year contract as the expansion team builds its roster. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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PWHL Las Vegas has signed forward Lacey Eden to a two-year contract. Eden, a two-time IIHF World Championship gold medalist, was selected as the No. 5 pick during the draft.

Why it matters

The signing secures a key playmaker for the expansion franchise as they prepare for their inaugural season in the league. Eden joins the roster alongside No. 3 draft pick Tessa Janecke as the team looks to build immediate depth.

Eden recorded 29 goals and 77 points in her senior season at Wisconsin. She enters the professional league with a resume that includes four national championships and two IIHF World Championship gold medals.

The players

Lacey Eden

She is a talented forward who played for Wisconsin and previously competed for the United States national team.

Tessa Janecke

She is a hockey player selected by PWHL Las Vegas as the No. 3 overall pick in the inaugural draft.

PWHL Las Vegas

This is a professional hockey franchise established as part of the expansion of the league.

The details

Lacey Eden, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, provides the team with significant collegiate and international experience. The team continues to finalize its roster ahead of the season opener on December 6.

The PWHL inaugural draft took place in June 2026.
Lacey Eden signed her contract on October 5, 2026.
The team begins its inaugural season on December 6, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This signing establishes a foundational scoring threat for the team ahead of their historic first season. The integration of high-level draft picks will directly determine the team's competitive standing in the inaugural league hierarchy.

Fans should monitor Eden's output as she transitions from a 77-point senior season at the college level to the professional league. Her performance against PWHL Detroit will provide the first real look at her impact on the team's power play and scoring rotation.

The takeaway

The move underscores the team's reliance on proven collegiate talent to anchor their inaugural lineup. Building around established winners who have secured multiple championships is a classic strategy for new professional sports organizations.