PWHL Detroit added another local player to the roster for the inaugural season in 2026-2027.

Plymouth’s Mellissa Channell-Watkins (Vancouver Goldeneyes) was one of three defensemen signed to the team on Sunday along with Stephanie Markowski (Ottawa Charge) and Mia Biotti (Boston Fleet).

More: Plymouth’s Mellissa Channell-Watkins leads Frost into women’s hockey showcase in Detroit

Channell-Watkins joins Macomb’s Taylor Girard, Brighton’s Shiann Darkangelo and Port Huron’s Casey Borgiel as Michigan-area players in the lineup.

Channell-Watkins played with the expansion Goldeneyes last year after two previous seasons with the Minnesota Frost where she won back-to-back Walter Cup titles.

In 30 games in 2025-26, the 31-year-old recorded two assists and tied for fifth among defenders with 44 hits.

In 83 career regular-season games, she has 11 points (1G, 10A), while her nine career playoff points (1G, 8A) in 18 games is tied for third all-time among defenders. 

Prior to turning pro, the Little Caesars graduate played at the University of Wisconsin, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2017 NCAA Frozen Four semifinal.

Markowski entered the PWHL as the 20th overall selection by Ottawa in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft.

The 24-year-old finished third on the team with a plus-6 rating in 2025-26 and has recorded 10 points (2G, 8A) in 58 career regular-season games.

Collegiately, the Edmonton native played four seasons at Clarkson University (2019-23), serving as an alternate captain in 2022-23.

Advertisement

She transferred to Ohio State where she won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2024.

Biotti spent her rookie season with Boston Fleet, making her PWHL debut at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 3 and went on to record two assists in 13 regular-season games and saw action in two playoff contests. 

The 23-year-old from Cambridge, Massachusetts, played four seasons at Harvard University, serving as captain in her senior year, and earned Second-Team All-Ivy League honors.

PWHL Detroit roster

Forwards

▶ Daryl Watts, Detroit’s first signing, Canadian Olympian, Toronto Sceptres

▶ Hannah Bilka, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent

Advertisement

▶ Britta Curl-Salemme, U.S. Olympian, Minnesota Frost

▶ Jesse Compher, Sister of Red Wings forward J.T. Compher, Toronto Sceptres

▶ Taylor Girard, Macomb native, New York Sirens

▶ Shiann Darkangelo, Brighton, Montreal Victoire

▶ Hilary Knight, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent

Advertisement

Defensemen

▶ Cayla Barnes, U.S. Olympian, Seattle Torrent

▶ Sydney Bard, Vancouver Goldeneyes

▶ Nina Jobst-Smith, German Olympian, Vancouver Goldeneyes

Detroit’s draft picks

▶ No. 15 (Second round): Andrea Brandli, G, Switzerland

▶ No. 22 (second round): Casey Borgiel, D, Colgate

Advertisement

▶ No. 34 (third round): MaryKate O’Brien, F, Minnesota-Duluth

▶ No. 39 (fourth round): Kyle Josifovic, F, Connecticut.

▶ No. 51 (fifth round): Sena Catterall, F, Clarkson

▶ No. 63 (sixth round): Georgia Schiff, F, Cornell

Advertisement

Detroit added six new players in the PWHL Draft, including Swiss goalie star Andrea Brändli.

Detroit added six players in the PWHL Draft, including Swiss goalie star Andrea Brändli.

The Detroit Pistons have put Isaiah Stewart on the trade block with multiple offers swirling around the ever-changing rumor mill.

Several teams would benefit from having Stewart, who averaged 10 points, five rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season, on a solid 55% from the floor. However, despite linking up well with Jalen Duren, Stewart earning a total of $30 million over the next two years simply doesn’t fit with their future outlook.

Stewart has been linked to the blockbuster three-team trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo; however, if we set that aside, who else could use his talents ahead of the upcoming season?

Stewart embracing the north?

A possible swap involving the Toronto Raptors could be on the cards. The Raptors have been desperate for frontcourt depth, and the Pistons could definitely use more playmaking and shooting options on their roster.

For Detroit, trading Stewart for youngsters Gradey Dick and Jamal Shead makes perfect sense, with the Pistons able to mould them into backups for Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson.

While Shead provided relief for Immanuel Quickley, Dick fell out of the rotation and will be eager for a second chance in the Motor City.

Bringing a much-needed wing player to Detroit, via Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers could bring a talented wing player to Detroit in the shape of Max Strus, whose presence would really help the Pistons.

What they’re short on is two-way wings who can ease the pressure off their stars, and Strus can fit perfectly into that gaping hole.

Beyond his floor-spacing ability, he can also create offense by attacking closeouts, addressing another area where Detroit has struggled.

Look no further than their playoff meeting, which the Cavs won with Strus averaging around 10 points per game in the series, capped with a 20-point showing off the bench in Game 5 that helped swing momentum in the Cavaliers’ favor.

Stewart’s salary and defense helps Denver

One issue that plagued the Denver Nuggets this season was their rim protection, and defense in the paint.

With Stewart, who posted just under two blocks per game last season, his defensive style would really help the Nuggets, but he would be in a similar position to the one he is currently in Detroit: A backup to Nikola Jokic.

Why does this move make sense for both parties? Well, look no further than the money involved. If Denver shipped Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun, who are both on the trade block, it would save the Nuggets money and give Detroit two strong players with championship pedigree.

Stewart is under contract for $15 million in 2026-27, with a team option for the same amount in 2027-28, bringing his total value to $30 million. Johnson’s set to make $23 million, and Braun’s is on $21.5 million. This works better for Denver than it would for the Pistons, but having Johnson and Braun only boosts Detroit’s championship credentials.