PWHL Detroit finalises Phase 2 expansion roster with five key signings
The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Detroit franchise has completed the second phase of its roster construction, adding Jesse Compher, Britta Curl-Salemme, Cayla Barnes, Hannah Bilka, and Daryl Watts to the squad ahead of the annual entry draft.
PWHL Detroit general manager Manon Rheaume completed Phase 2 of the league’s expansion process on Monday, June 8, by signing five players to fill the mandated quota of free-agent recruits. The additions include forwards Jesse Compher, Britta Curl-Salemme, Cayla Barnes, and Hannah Bilka, alongside defenceman Daryl Watts. These signings bring the total number of expansion teams in the league to four, with Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose also joining the professional circuit this season.
Compher signed a three-year deal after spending three seasons with the Toronto Sceptres. The Illinois native is the younger sister of Detroit Red Wings forward J.T. Compher and previously played collegiately at Wisconsin. Curl-Salemme, a former Minnesota Frost player, also agreed to a three-year contract. She holds the single-season PWHL record for assists with 18, set during her final season with the Frost, and previously starred at the University of Wisconsin where she scored 86 goals in 180 games.
Barnes and Bilka, former Seattle Torrent teammates, were announced jointly following their respective contract agreements. Barnes signed a three-year deal, while Bilka secured a two-year contract. Both players won gold with Team USA in February and previously played together at Boston College before transferring to Ohio State. Barnes, a native Californian, recorded three goals and five assists in 30 games last season, while Bilka, from Texas, scored four goals in 14 games last season.
Watts secured a four-year contract worth at least $100,000, marking the longest deal in PWHL history. This agreement was enabled by the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which permits contracts longer than the previous three-year maximum. Watts, who previously played for Ottawa and Toronto, holds the second-most career goals in PWHL history with 32. Her new salary represents a significant increase from the $59,000 she earned in her final season with the Sceptres.
The team’s official name has not yet been announced, with the roster currently referred to simply as PWHL Detroit. The signings conclude Phase 2 of the expansion process, with several more phases remaining before the league’s annual entry draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 in Detroit.
