The Seattle Torrent had a scoring problem in 2025-26. On June 17th in Detroit, they fixed it.
With the second overall pick in the PWHL Draft, Seattle selected Abbey Murphy out of the University of Minnesota — and for fantasy managers paying attention, this is the kind of selection that should have you taking her top 5 in PWHL Fantasy Drafts.
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Murphy’s résumé borders on absurd. She finished her five-year Minnesota career as the program’s all-time leading goal scorer with 143 goals and second all-time in points with 261 — the sixth-highest goal total in college hockey history. In her final season as a graduate student, she somehow got better, posting career highs with 40 goals and 66 points in just 31 games, leading the entire nation in both points per game (2.13) and goals per game (1.29). She was a top-three Patty Kazmaier finalist and a First Team All-American. On the international stage, she has a gold medal from the 2026 Milan Olympics and a silver from 2022 Beijing, and she was on the ice when Megan Keller scored the championship-winning goal against Canada this past February.
This is not projection. This is proven, elite, sustained production at every level she has ever played.
What makes Murphy such a compelling fantasy add is not just the scoring touch — it is the way she scores. She is described around the league as an in-your-face pest who combines physical play with a dynamic, pro-level shot, the kind of player who thrives in traffic, embraces contact, and forces defenders into uncomfortable decisions. That style translates immediately to the professional game, and Seattle GM Meghan Turner made it clear the selection was about adding exactly that identity to a Torrent roster that struggled to find the back of the net last season.
The fantasy case gets even stronger when you consider the line she could land on. Murphy is reuniting with Olympic teammate Alex Carpenter in Seattle, and both players have already spoken publicly about wanting to play together. Carpenter is one of the league’s most reliable playmakers and possession drivers; Murphy is a natural finisher who thrives when the puck arrives in dangerous areas. If Seattle pairs them together, you are looking at a top scoring line with one of the league’s best passers feeding one of the best pure shooters in the sport.
For 2026–27, Murphy projects as an immediate top difference-maker and a strong bet to lead all rookies in goals. She is 24 years old, physically ready, and stepping into a featured offensive role from day one.
In PWHL fantasy drafts, Murphy should be off the board early.
Statistics and quotes sourced from the PWHL official records, The Hockey News, Daily Faceoff, and The IX Hockey, June 2026.