​NEW YORK — Nearly a month after the 2026 PWHL Draft, the New York Sirens welcomed first-round pick Emma Peschel to the Big Apple in style.The Sirens held Peschel’s first in-market appearance at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Flanked by general manager Pascal Daoust and head coach Greg Fargo, the No. 7 overall pick spoke with media on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, more than 1,000 feet above the heart of Manhattan.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I’m a city girl at heart,” said Peschel, who grew up in Edina, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. “Being in the biggest city in the world in your 20s, I mean, there’s not much better. Obviously, joining the Sirens is huge, but living in New York is going to be so fun.”Entering draft day, the Ohio State defender sensed that New York could be a potential destination.“I knew that I was kind of projected around where they were picking. I had talked to Pascal and Greg a little bit before the draft, so I kind of knew that they were an option.”Peschel was the fourth defender selected July 17, behind Caroline Harvey (No. 1 overall), Laila Edwards (No. 4 overall), and Nelli Laitinen (No. 6 overall). Coveted for her polished two-way game and 5-foot-10 frame, she should strengthen a Sirens blue line that already boasts considerable professional experience.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 22-year-old enters the PWHL during a transformational offseason as the League expands to 12 teams, up from eight the season before.“I think it’s one of the best times to join in the history of the League,” she said. “And seeing the draft class that’s come in, we have a lot of talent, and I think we’ll make a pretty big impact in the League right away.”Peschel appears well-positioned to do just that. Daoust confirmed that the two-time All-American will have an opportunity to earn a top-four role out of training camp.“We know what she can bring on the ice,” he told media after Peschel’s introduction. “She’s joining a crew — the D-corps — we have a couple of vets that will not only give her the opportunity to shine and to be herself, but also take away the pressure of a first-rounder.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEmma Peschel — courtesy of Ohio State athleticsBeing a Buckeye has its perks — especially in the landscape of women’s hockey.Under the guidance of coach Nadine Muzerall, Ohio State has cemented itself as a national powerhouse, reaching the NCAA championship game in five consecutive seasons.It’s no coincidence that the program has become one of the PWHL’s premier talent pipelines. Thirty Buckeyes have been drafted since the League’s inception in 2023, including five in 2026.Peschel has already tapped into that resource. The Sirens’ first-round pick said Tuesday that she recently reconnected with former teammate Paetyn Levis, a member of New York’s inaugural 2024 roster, at a camp in Minnesota.AdvertisementAdv