By: Alexis Caines | Follow me on Twitter/X @alexiscaines_
The Boston Fleet added some much-needed strength to their blueline during the draft last Wednesday night. Their first selection of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s 2026 Entry Draft was an elite defender.
During the Expansion Roster Distribution Process, the Fleet lost six defenders: Zoe Boyd, Hadley Hartmetz, Riley Brengman, Daniela Pejšovà, Mia Biotti and Noemi Neubauerová. With free agency underway and the draft, filling out the blueline was a priority.
With the tenth overall pick, the Fleet selected Grace Dwyer. The Wynnewood, PA native was a standout in her four years at Cornell University in the ECAC. In 134 games, she put up 76 points (18-58-76). Dwyer wore the “C” for the Big Red during her senior year.
Dwyer, at 5’8, plays a strong two-way game, something the Fleet desperately need. The Cornell Co-Captain has attended Team USA camps and represented them at the Collegiate Series. She’s a proven winner with multiple Ivy League Championships under her belt.
“I’m really excited to get [to Boston] and work with the players, the coaches, and learn a lot,” Dwyer said to the media during her press conference on draft night. “I think it’s awesome going to the rink and being challenged by people like [them],” she continued.
During the 2025-26 season with Cornell, she ranked third on the team in shots on goal, recording 115 in 33 games. The team only had 17 rostered players, making her shot first mentality a difference maker. The assumption in Boston is that she’ll uphold that same mindset.
She wore #4 in college, for none other than Boston hockey legend Bobby Orr. Dwyer also revealed that she has familial ties in Boston, making this somewhat of a homecoming.
“On the ice, I’m going to bring the compete, battle, [I’m going to] be tough,” she promised the fans.
Dwyer is expected to be the total package for the Boston Fleet. She plays hard, brings skill up and down the ice, all while firing pucks into the net. Her game will complement both Megan Keller and Haley Winn.
The Fleet defense was a standout last season, with Keller, Winn, and Frankel taking home PWHL Awards. Though the blueline took a hit during the expansion process, their three main defensive mechanisms stayed intact; a testament to Danielle Marmers’ three protection slots.
New Head Coach François Méthot has a background in development so that will be a major priority for the bench boss this season. With five brand new rookies and a lot of depth players retained, making sure they develop their skills is key.
Key offensive contributors are gone, so there is likely going to be more pressure on the players who were typically in a bottom-six role. Méthot and the rest of his staff will look to really get the most out of the 2026-27 Boston Fleet Roster.
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