Plymouth’s Channell-Watkins joins local hockey players on PWHL Detroit

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.

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

▶ 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

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

▶ 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

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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.