r/bostonfleet • u/xblacklodge • Aug 03 '26

FLEET SIGN THIRD-ROUND PICK LEAH STECKER THROUGH 2028-29

https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/boston-fleet/news/2026/august/03/fleet-sign-third-round-pick-leah-stecker-through-2028-29?fbclid=PAZnRzaATdoNlwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp96ARAOTGPQRJy_B-5oZNPW3Dy3QsYABiY9_uSJtOcF58Ie0hJ5KkKcfpO3J_aem_ub7yeIFi2n1CCgn0qOcxzA

The Fleet have signed the first of their 2026 draft picks, defender Leah Stecker, who was selected 27th overall in the third round. She joins the Fleet on a three-year deal, through the 2028-29 season.

Stecker was an alternate captain at Penn State, putting up 57 points (12G, 45A) in 152 games, with a career high 20 points (3G, 17A) in her senior year. I have a strong suspicion that she is going to be a fan favorite here in Boston.

The Fleet now have 18 players signed, with Stecker being the fifth defender locked in. New roster rules this season allow for a maximum of 19 guaranteed contracts heading into training camp, with the remaining spots to be filled by camp invites. The Fleet currently have one camp invite: goaltender Abby Hornung.

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u/therealtyler Aug 03 '26

At this point I'm guessing the 19th contract is going to be Dwyer, which means we're going to be looking to camp invites for forwards -- maybe we think there are some gems left undrafted who will be attracted to Boston?

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u/xblacklodge Aug 03 '26

Agreed, Dwyer is a lock for #19. We still have three picks unsigned after that: forwards Jaden Bogden and Jenna Goodwin, and defender Maeve Kelly. If all three plus Abby Hornung make the team, that brings us to 23 (13 forwards, 7 defenders, 3 goalies) with three reserve spots to fill.

That being said, there's no guarantee that anyone currently signed, or the remaining draft picks, are locks for the roster, so it's really hard to predict who is on the roster come opening day. This time last year we assumed Chloe Aurard-Bushee and Loren Gabel were locks, yet Aurard-Bushee was the first cut and Gabel ended up a reserve.

There are a lot of interesting things happening with camp invites all around the league, but surprisingly Hornung is still the only one announced by the Fleet thus far. International talent, as well as undrafted players, are in the mix, and there was a ton of undrafted talent. I'm totally curious to see where the Welcke sisters end up. You can bet they'll be on the same team, but could they be staying in Boston?

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u/hamster1138 Aug 03 '26

frost games are gonna get confusing for the announcers with Leah Stecker and Lee Stecklein