PWHL Detroit signed forward Ella Huber to a one-year Professional Women's Hockey League Standard Player Agreement ahead of the expansion club's inaugural 2026-27 season, the team announced June 15.
Huber had been under contract with the Boston Fleet and now joins Detroit through the upcoming campaign. The move makes her PWHL Detroit's 10th player and the third of three players added to complete Phase 4 of the league's Expansion Player Distribution Process.
Huber Joins Detroit After Rookie Season With Boston Fleet
Huber appeared in all 30 regular-season games for Boston as a rookie, finishing with four goals and two assists. She added two assists in four playoff games, giving her eight points across the season and postseason.
Three of Huber's goals were game-winners, a total the PWHL said tied for second among rookies. For an expansion team still building its first lineup, that is the useful part of the resume: she has already handled a full PWHL schedule and contributed in tight games.
The 24-year-old from Northfield, Illinois, entered the league as the 10th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 PWHL Draft. Boston selected her after four seasons at the University of Minnesota.
Detroit Fills Another Expansion Roster Slot
Huber gives PWHL Detroit its seventh forward. The club previously added Hannah Bilka, Britta Curl-Salemme, Jesse Compher and Daryl Watts in Phase 2, Taylor Girard in Phase 3 and Shiann Darkangelo in Phase 4.
Detroit's defensive signings include Cayla Barnes, Sydney Bard and Nina Jobst-Smith. The official announcement said each expansion team will have 10 total players at the end of the Phase 4 signing period through signings and, if needed, a player selection process.
Phase 4 eligibility included players not signed or protected in Phases 1-3, players on expiring contracts and players already under contract for 2026-27. Existing teams could lose a maximum of four players under contract for 2026-27 across Phases 1-4.
Minnesota Production Adds Context To The Signing
Huber played 157 games at Minnesota and recorded 140 points, with 52 goals and 88 assists. Her senior season was her best: 48 points on 15 goals and 33 assists in 42 games as captain.
She also won gold with the United States at the 2020 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship. Those college and international markers do not guarantee a role in Detroit, but they explain why a first-year team would spend one of its Phase 4 spots on a 24-year-old forward.
PWHL Detroit is one of 12 teams in the league and was announced as an expansion club on May 6. The team is scheduled to debut at Little Caesars Arena in the fall, with Huber now part of the first roster group that will take shape before training camp.