Emma Peschel is a self-described “city girl at heart.” 

The New York Sirens introduced Peschel, their seventh overall selection in the 2026 PWHL Draft, at the Empire State Building on Tuesday. Peschel grew up in Edina, Minnesota, just outside of Minneapolis and the hometown of NHLers Anders Lee and Casey Mittelstadt, and she is excited to grow in the city just as much as she is to join its newest hockey club. 

“I’ve always liked to be around that environment. Being in the biggest city in the world, in your 20s, I don’t think there’s much better,” Peschel said. “So that was the most exciting part. Obviously, joining the Sirens is huge, but living in New York is going to be so fun … getting to take in all the cuisine, and the adventures, and the parks, and everything that comes with it.” 

Peschel spent four years at Ohio State, where she won the national championship in 2024 and learned a lot, “especially discipline and development.”

Now, she’s getting ready to join a rapidly growing league in a huge market. 

“I think it’s one of the best times to join in the history of the league,” she said. “Obviously, it’s only been four years and we’re from six to 12 teams, so it’s a really cool jump to see. 

“I think the growth will continue in 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.” 

Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust had nothing but great things to say about his newest defender, who he selected over 2026 U.S. Olympian Kirsten Simms, who went to Toronto with the following pick. 

“I think that I probably went too short [in his opening statement] on the amount of love that we have for her,” Daoust said jokingly. “She is someone who, of course, has a physicality that she has, but she skates well, she plays well. She makes decisions on the ice that won’t just make her look good … it’s a lot of leadership that is coming our way. 

“There were still a couple of good forwards [at the seventh pick], but … you knew that she wouldn’t be there a bit later, and you know that she’s gonna fit and fill a role … a D that can become a No. 1 D in this league.” 

Peschel comes into a Sirens organization that is searching for its first taste of success in a league still in its youth. Last season, the Sirens finished seventh of eight teams in the league. Now, with four expansion teams joining the fray, there’s even more competition, and the Sirens are looking to grow further excitement in a city flush with teams. 

“Last year, we shouldn’t have finished where we finished, you know?” Daoust said. “I’d like to remind people that last year, we finished first in expected goals. We finished first in Grade A scoring chances. Still, we couldn’t put the puck in. 

“We have a lot of players coming in, but we have a lot of players that are coming back, so they know how they are coached, they know how to train. We’re excited.” 

Should Daoust be correct in his highly positive analysis of Peschel, fans might just flock to the Prudential Center for a look at her this fall.