PWHL San Jose Signs Draft Picks Lily Shannon and Mckenna Van Gelder
PWHL PWHL San Jose

PWHL San Jose Signs Draft Picks Lily Shannon and Mckenna Van Gelder

Published on September 23, 2026 under Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
PWHL San Jose News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - PWHL San Jose today announced that forwards Lily Shannon and Mckenna Van Gelder have each been signed to two-year Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreements through the 2027-28 season. Shannon was selected in the fourth round, 40th overall, and Van Gelder was selected in the fifth round, 52nd overall in the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17.

Shannon played four NCAA seasons at Northeastern University, amassing 92 points (45G, 47A) in 144 career games with the Huskies. The 23-year-old from Andover, MA, served as captain during the 2025-26 campaign and finished second in team scoring by posting career highs in goals (19), assists (24), and points (43). Named a Hockey East First Team All-Star, Shannon led the Huskies with six game-winning goals and was the only NCAA player to record 40 or more points and 40 or more blocked shots.

Van Gelder played her collegiate career at Cornell University where she produced 86 points (41G, 45A) in 134 games across four seasons, including three spent with PWHL San Jose defender Rory Guilday. In 2025-26, the 22-year-old from Etobicoke, ON, contributed 23 points (10G, 13A) in 33 games as a senior captain and increased her faceoff win total from 337 to 479. Prior to Cornell, Van Gelder won gold with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship.

The signings bring the PWHL San Jose roster up to 18 players, including 10 forwards, currently under contract for the 2026-27 season. San Jose has now signed each of its top five inaugural draft picks with defender Laila Edwards, forward Sloane Matthews, and goaltender Tia Chan each locked up with three-year agreements.

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Professional Women's Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2026


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