Sirens bolster roster with Kristyna Kaltounkova, Casey O’Brien picks in PWHL draft

The Sirens used the first round of the PWHL draft on Tuesday night to restock their offensive cupboard, taking Colgate star Kristyna Kaltounkova with the No. 1 pick and trading up to take Wisconsin forward Casey O’Brien with the No. 3 selection. 

The Sirens lost star forwards Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge after leaving the two unprotected in the exclusive signing window and the expansion draft, but add two young players who give them a scoring boost, including one who comes with three national championships to her name. 

Kaltounkova, a Czechia native, finished in the top 10 in goal scoring in the nation this past season with Colgate and scored a record 111 goals during her time with the program.

O’Brien led the country with 88 points and 62 assists, while winning the award as the top women’s college hockey player in the United States. 

“It doesn’t matter what role I play, I’m just happy to jump in and help as much as I can. Make an impact immediately,” Kaltounkova said moments after being drafted. 

The Sirens traded defender Ella Shelton for the Nos. 3 and 27 picks in Tuesday’s draft. 

“I’m super honored that New York traded up for me. It’s pretty special and this just caps off an amazing year,” O’Brien said.

The Sirens made nine selections in total during Tuesday’s draft.

They took forward Anne Cherkowski from Clarkson University in the second round, Ohio State forward Makenna Webster in the third, defender Dayle Ross from St. Cloud State University with the 25th overall pick, Buckeye forward Maddi Wheeler with the 27th overall pick and Boston University goaltender Callie Shanahan with the 28th overall pick, which the Sirens had acquired in a trade with Montreal.

The Sirens also took Anna Bargman from Yale in the fifth round and Quinnipiac goaltender Kaley Doyle in the sixth round.