​Hamilton’s inaugural PWHL roster is starting to take shape, and two of the club’s newest draft selections already have a clear vision for the roles they hope to carve out. Forward Elyssa Biederman arrives as a versatile playmaker eager to complement Hamilton’s veteran core, while Jade Iginla aims to bring a physical, power-forward presence to the expansion franchise while continuing to make a meaningful impact in the community away from the rink.
Selected by Hamilton in the fourth round (30th overall) after an impressive three-year run at Colgate University, Biederman was thrilled to hear her name called by a team she believes has already laid a strong foundation. “I was super happy with the outcome of the draft,” Biederman said. “Hamilton has done a great job building the core with Müller, Jenner, Osborne, Gosling, and all those players. Getting drafted there and seeing the veteran group they’re building is super exciting.” She also looks forward to learning under head coach Kris Sparre, as Hamilton general manager Meghan Duggan has assembled one of the league’s most intriguing expansion rosters.
While Biederman has earned a reputation as an offensively gifted forward, she believes her greatest strength lies in versatility. “I don’t think production just means points,” she said. “Production means producing positive momentum for your team.” After spending three seasons alongside Colgate’s first-overall pick Kristýna Kaltounková, Biederman entered her senior year without her longtime linemate and was forced to adapt her game. “It forced me to think of myself as a scorer and put myself in those scenarios more, rather than being the person who sets up a scorer,” she explained. “I’m a very versatile player. I’ll be happy to play with anyone and do whatever I need to do to set them up for success, as well as myself.” That flexibility is a key reason she believes she can contribute wherever Hamilton’s coaching staff needs her.
“I’m a very playmaking, set-my-teammates-up kind of player,” she said. “I think that’ll translate really well with the power forwards and the star players they already have established. I hope to bring a playmaking ability that helps us exit our zone quickly, transition swiftly, and have some fun in the offensive zone.” Despite being one of the smaller players entering the league, Biederman is confident her game will translate to the professional level. “I pride myself on my consistency and preparation,” she noted. “I’ve had excellent strength and conditioning coaches, skills coaches, and mental training. Preparation is a big part of confidence.” The Michigan native is spending the offseason training alongside current PWHL players and fellow draft picks, a move she believes will prepare her for the transition to training camp.
Hamilton’s second-round pick (18th overall), Jade Iginla, is also gearing up for the same transition. Iginla intends to bring a physical, power-forward edge to the expansion franchise while continuing her community involvement and impact outside the rink. As she joins the team, Iginla is focusing on developing the traits that will help her contribute in a league full of elite talent and high-level competition. Her commitment to both on-ice performance and off-ice engagement reflects the dual role many players in the league are embracing as they help grow the sport and connect with fans.
As Hamilton builds its identity in the new PWHL landscape, both Biederman and Iginla embody the balance the team seeks: players who can contribute immediately through versatility, leadership, and a relentless work ethic, while also growing into key pieces of the franchise’s long-term plan. With Sparre’s coaching and Duggan’s roster-building, the solid foundation appears to be taking shape, and the club’s early picks signal an exciting era ahead for Hamilton hockey.