DETROIT – The year 2026 will be a hard one to beat for Kirsten Simms.
The Plymouth native earned Olympic gold in women’s hockey with Team USA and won back-to-back NCAA national titles at Wisconsin.
“Surreal” is how Simms described the last few months to Local 4.
This year of milestones is far from over.
Next week, Simms will start her professional journey in the PWHL Draft as a projected first-round pick.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do, to get to play professional hockey,” Simms said. “Maybe instead of a job interview, now it’s like a hockey team interview. That’s living the dream.”
The 21-year-old has a championship resume that speaks for itself, but the work continues on and off of the ice as she prepares for the opportunity of a lifetime --- with a league that started at the right time.
Simms began her college journey with the Badgers in 2022 with no clear idea of what hockey options would be available after her time at Wisconsin.
“I walked into college, and you didn’t know what was next,” Simms said. “You didn’t want those four years to be up.”
In 2024, the PWHL started its first season. Giving players what Simms calls a “sustainable” avenue to play the game at a professional level.
“To see what it is today, it’s unbelievable,” Simms said.
“Now, there’s something else for us, and there’s something else for women’s hockey players when they’re done. That’s something that’s really cool and really special.”
This will be Simms’ first year as a pro, and also the first season of her home state having a PWHL team.
The league announced the addition of PWHL Detroit starting in the 2026-27 season last month.
“I’m going to be extremely happy with wherever I end up,” Simms said.
“It would be really cool to represent my state, my city and where I grew up. Whatever (happens) is going to be a dream come true, for sure.”
When draft day comes to Downtown Detroit, the moment will be a special occasion no matter which team takes her in the PWHL Draft.
Simms ready to take the first step of her pro journey on the stage at the Fox Theatre in the place where it all began.
“It’s just such a full circle moment,” Simms said.
The PWHL Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17.