New York Sirens Select Casey O'Brien Third Overall In 2025 PWHL Draft

Forbes

2 days ago

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 24: Casey O'Brien #26 of the Wisconsin Badgers moves the puck down ice ... More against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship game held at Whittemore Center Arena on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire. (Photo by Gil Talbot/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
With the third overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, the New York Sirens selected standout collegiate center forward and 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award winner, Casey O'Brien. The pick was obtained through a trade that sent veteran defender Ella Shelton to the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for Toronto's first-round selection (third overall) and a fourth-round pick (27th overall).
O'Brien was a driving force behind Wisconsin's 2025 national championship run, co-captaining the team while shattering school records with an astounding 88 points, 26 goals, and 62 assists, and dominating the nation with an average of 2.20 points per game. In addition to winning the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, she was named WCHA Player and Forward of the Year and earned a place on the AHCA First-Team All-American roster. Internationally, O'Brien demonstrated her skill early on, securing gold at the 2018 U18 World Championships and silver in 2019.
Having spent 10 years growing up and playing sports in Manhattan, particularly at Chelsea Piers, O'Brien is now preparing to begin her professional career back in New York. We caught up with Casey to hear about her draft experience, her ambitions for the season, and launching her professional career with the New York Sirens.
PWHL Draft Experience And New York Sirens
DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 22: Casey O'Brien #26 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to make a play ... More during the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship held at Whittemore Center Arena on March 22, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire. (Photo by Gil Talbot/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Q: Casey, congratulations on being selected third overall in the PWHL Draft. Walk us through that moment of being selected and what it means for you to have this opportunity to play professionally in the PWHL.
Casey O'Brien: Thank you! At first, I didn't think New York would be an option. They weren't supposed to have another pick until the second round, so I kind of accepted that the dream of being drafted by the Sirens might not happen. I was just waiting to hear who would call my name. Then the trade happened, and I got hopeful.
When they called my name, I couldn't believe it. My family was so happy. Being from New York, it's always been a dream of mine to play professionally here. It was truly the best day of my life.
I grew up playing at Chelsea Piers and a bit in New Jersey. That's where I fell in love with hockey. To come full circle and return to New York as a professional player, to give back to the community that shaped me, it's a dream come true.
Q: Looking ahead to the season, New York is in the middle of a rebuild. What aspects of your skill set, both mentally and physically, do you think you'll bring to the team?
Casey O'Brien: I see myself as a 200-foot player. I take pride in being responsible in the D-zone while also contributing offensively. Me and the other forwards drafted this year are a young, dynamic group. We're fast, creative, and a lot of us have played together or against each other before. We share a similar vision and playmaking style, and I think when we combine with the talent already on the roster, we'll bring something really special. We're going to be an offensively gifted team, and we plan to score a lot of goals next season.
Inspirations And PWHL Goals With The New York Sirens
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 23: Wisconsin Badgers forward Casey O'Brien (26) celebrates with the trophy ... More after winning the Women's Frozen Four Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on March 23rd, 2025, at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Q: Are there any players you're especially excited to be on the ice with, either as teammates or opponents?
Casey O'Brien: Definitely. Anytime I get to share the ice with legends like Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, or Marie-Philip Poulin, it's surreal. I grew up watching them in the Olympics when I was eight, nine, ten years old, dreaming of one day being in their shoes. Now I get the chance to play alongside or against them, and it feels like a full circle moment. It's really special.
Q: Who were your hockey idols growing up, on both the women's and men's sides?
Casey O'Brien: Kendall Coyne Schofield was a huge inspiration for me. She's undersized but still one of the best in the world. I'm not the biggest player either, so I really tried to model my game after hers. She turned what some see as a disadvantage into a strength, and that was really inspiring. On the men's side, I looked up to Martin St. Louis, especially when he played for the Rangers. I loved how players like him and Kendall never let their size define them. That's also why I wear No. 26.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 18: A general view of the arena prior to the game between the New York ... More Sirens and the Toronto Sceptres at Prudential Center on December 18, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. The game is the first home game in the Sirens' second season in the PWHL. The Sirens defeated the Sceptres 4-2. (Photo by)
Q: What are your personal goals heading into this first season with the Sirens and into the PWHL overall?
Casey O'Brien: The Sirens roster has gone through a lot of change recently, and I'm one of several new faces. I think we're looking at this as a fresh start. I want to make an immediate impact on the ice, of course, but just as importantly, I want to make an impact off the ice.
The PWHL has made huge strides, but there's still a lot of room to grow, especially in markets like New York. Being from here, I want to connect with the community, inspire young girls, and help grow the game.