Sena Catterall, a 24‑year‑old athlete from Montreal’s Pierrefonds‑Roxboro, was selected by the Detroit franchise in the Professional Women’s Hockey League draft on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The draft pick has led her to shift her focus exclusively to hockey, stepping away from a promising baseball career with Team Canada where she had been the starting centre‑fielder.
Catterall’s sporting journey has been marked by a seasonal rotation between the two games. Growing up in the western part of Montreal, she split her winters on the ice and her summers on the diamond, developing elite skills in both arenas. Her baseball credentials peaked when she earned a spot on the national team and took on the role of centre‑fielder, a position that placed her among Canada’s top female players.
When the PWHL draft opened its doors to women’s hockey talent, Catterall entered the pool, bringing the same competitive drive that had defined her baseball tenure. Detroit’s selection of her in the draft signaled the team’s confidence in her ability to contribute at the professional level. The move prompted Catterall to announce that she would now prioritize hockey, effectively putting her baseball aspirations on hold.
The decision reflects a broader trend of athletes weighing opportunities across sports, especially as women’s professional leagues gain visibility and financial stability. Detroit’s PWHL franchise, still building its roster, views Catterall’s dual‑sport background as an asset that could translate into on‑ice versatility and leadership.
Catterall’s hometown community has celebrated the milestone, noting that her path from local rinks to the national baseball stage and now to a professional hockey contract underscores the depth of talent emerging from the Pierrefonds‑Roxboro area. As the PWHL season approaches, all eyes will be on Detroit to see how the newly drafted centre integrates into the lineup and how Catterall adapts to the demands of full‑time professional hockey.
