PWHL Las Vegas Signs Third Overall Pick Tessa Janecke

PWHL Las Vegas today announced that forward Tessa Janecke has been signed to a two-year Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreement through the 2027-28 season. Selected third overall in the 2026 PWHL Draft, Janecke was the first of eight players chosen by PWHL Las Vegas in the six-round process on June 17 and is the first player among all 72 draft picks to sign ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

“Tessa is the kind of player every organization hopes to build around,” said Dominique DiDia, PWHL Las Vegas General Manager. “Her talent speaks for itself, but what stands out most about her is her character, compete level, and passion for the game. We believe she’ll play a significant role in establishing the identity of PWHL Vegas—not only through her performance on the ice, but through the relationships she’ll build with our fans and the lasting impact she’ll have in the Las Vegas community.”

Janecke turns pro following a four-year collegiate career at Penn State University where she set program records for goals (89), assists (112) and points (201). During the 2025-26 season, the 22-year-old from Orangeville, IL, became the first-ever Nittany Lion to be named a top three finalist for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, totaling 48 points (26G, 22A) in 31 games, while leading her team to its first-ever Frozen Four appearance. In February, Janecke won Olympic gold representing the United States, contributing five assists in seven games in Milan. She has also compiled two gold medals and one silver medal in three IIHF Women’s World Championships.

“It’s a great honor and opportunity to be part of building a team and fanbase from the ground up - a role that’s familiar to me throughout my hockey career and that I’m excited to embrace with PWHL Las Vegas,” said Janecke. “The Las Vegas community has created their own hockey culture, showing up and loudly supporting their teams, so getting to play in front of those fans is special. I don’t take this opportunity lightly and I look forward to representing and helping grow Las Vegas hockey.”

On PWHL Las Vegas, Janecke becomes the 14th player under contract for the team’s inaugural season and eighth forward to sign following fellow U.S. Olympian Hayley Scamurra, Jada Habisch, Katy Knoll, Sydney Langseth, Darcie Lappan, Maureen Murphy and Natalie Snodgrass. The roster also includes defenders Erin Ambrose, Mae Batherson, Madison Bizal, Megan Carter and Kendall Cooper, plus goaltender Nicole Hensley.

A complete list of player signings and transactions is available on the official PWHL Transactions Page. To see the full overview of the status of PWHL player contracts, visit the PWHL Contract Guide here.

ABOUT PWHL LAS VEGAS
PWHL Las Vegas is one of 12 teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which was founded in 2023. The PWHL began its inaugural season in January 2024 and features the best women’s hockey players in the world. PWHL Las Vegas was officially announced as one of the league’s four new expansion teams on May 13 and will debut at T-Mobile Arena in the fall. Fans can place a time-stamped deposit here, opens in a new tab to secure priority access to season tickets for PWHL Las Vegas’ historic inaugural season, once ticket packages are released. To learn more and stay up to date, visit LasVegasPWHL.com, subscribe to PWHL Las Vegas’ newsletter here, opens in a new tab, and follow the team on Facebook PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab, Instagram @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, X @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, TikTok @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, YouTube PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab, Threads @PWHL_LasVegas, opens in a new tab, Bluesky @PWHL-LasVegas, opens in a new tab, and LinkedIn PWHL Las Vegas, opens in a new tab.

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