Ottawa, ON – The 2025 PWHL Draft took place last night in Ottawa, Ontario, where recent Mercyhurst University graduate Vanessa Upson anxiously awaited the moment her name would be called. That moment came in the fifth round, as Upson's dream became reality when she was selected 38th overall by the Minnesota Frost in the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Upson recently wrapped up a decorated career as Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey athlete where she played in 148 games with an almost matching 147 career points. She was recently named to the 2024-25 AHA First Team coming off a season of career-bests in assists, points and shots on net. Throughout her career, Upson was selected to All-Conference honors every season she stepped onto the ice as a Laker, even picking up Rookie of the Year honors in 2021-22. 

Upson was just 1 of 3 AHA players selected in the 2025 PWHL Draft as she now takes her talents to the Minnesota Frost, the reigning powerhouse of the PWHL, having won back-to-back Walter Cup championships.

The last Laker to be drafted into the PWHL was Alexa Vasko, who was selected 83rd overall by Toronto in the inaugural 2023 draft. A 2022 Mercyhurst graduate, Vasko appeared in 156 career games as a Laker. She and Upson briefly shared the ice during Upson's freshman campaign, bridging two generations of Mercyhurst talent now making waves at the professional level. Upson will also be joining Sam Isbell, another former Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey standout (2019-20), who plays for the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL.

To view a full recap of the 2025 PWHL Draft click here.