Emma Peschel of Sirens prepared to thrive in New York's atmosphere

Emma Peschel’s Journey with the New York Sirens

Emma Peschel describes herself as a “city girl at heart.” Recently, the New York Sirens introduced her as the seventh overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft during an event at the Empire State Building. Although she grew up in Edina, Minnesota—a suburb of Minneapolis, and the hometown of NHL players like Anders Lee and Casey Mittelstadt—Peschel is thrilled about moving to New York and joining the new hockey team.

“Living in a big city has always been something I’ve enjoyed, and being in New York in your 20s is, well, pretty amazing,” Peschel mentioned. “Joining the Sirens is a big step, but I’m really looking forward to all the food, experiences, parks, and everything this city has to offer.”

Peschel had a significant four-year stint at Ohio State, where she won a national championship in 2024. She feels she learned a lot during that time, particularly regarding discipline and personal development.

Now, as she prepares to enter a swiftly expanding league in a major market, she expresses her excitement: “Honestly, I think this is one of the best times to be part of the league. It’s grown from six teams to twelve in just four years, which is a huge leap.”

“Based on this draft class, I’m confident the talent we have will make a noticeable impact right away,” she added.

The Sirens’ general manager, Pascal Daoust, speaks highly of Peschel, noting her potential as a defender. With Olympian Kirsten Sims being picked right after her, Daoust humorously admitted, “I may have kept it too brief—but we have a lot of fondness for her here. She not only makes great decisions on the ice, but we also see her as a leader, which is something we really need.”

“There were certainly good forwards available when it was our turn to pick,” Daoust continued. “Still, we knew she wouldn’t last much longer and that she would fit perfectly into our lineup, potentially becoming a leading defender in the league.”

Peschel is stepping into a Sirens organization eager for success in this burgeoning league. Last season, the Sirens ranked seventh out of eight teams. With the addition of four expansion teams, the competition is tougher than ever, and the Sirens aim to bring more excitement to New York.

“Frankly, last year shouldn’t have ended the way it did,” Daoust stated. “Just a reminder—we led the league in expected goals and Grade A scoring chances, yet we struggled to finish.”

“We’re integrating new talent, but also retaining experienced players who understand our coaching style and training regimen. So, there’s a lot to be optimistic about,” he concluded.