ST. PAUL, Minn. -- After dominating the collegiate landscape for four years, Yale women's ice hockey alumna and captain Elle Hartje is heading to the pros. Hartje was drafted into the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) on Monday night at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

In the second annual PWHL Draft, Hartje was selected by PWHL New York with the first pick of the fifth round. Hartje joins former teammate Claire Dalton as the second Bulldog to be chosen in the league's draft after Dalton was selected by PWHL Montreal last season in the 12th round.

Hartje joins New York after concluding her Yale career as one of the best players in program history. The Detroit native became the Bulldogs' all-time assists and points leader with 116 and 168 respectively. She was a three-time All-ECAC and two-time All-Ivy recipient, won the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023, and was the Mandi Schwartz Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

"New York is getting a very consistent, talented and determined 200-foot player in Elle Hartje, who will provide scoring depth and excellent compete level," said Mark Bolding, Susan Cavanaugh Head Coach of Yale Women's Hockey. "Elle is so adept at defending, winning one on one battles, and yet has a huge offensive upside to her game."

Hartje joins a New York squad that finished in last place during the inaugural PWHL season, but has a roster full of experienced players. The Detroit native said she is looking forward to playing with her new teammates.

"The thing I am most excited for is to learn under the veterans who have been playing professional hockey for so long," said Hartje. "This is the only the second year of the PWHL, but there have been so many years of professional hockey before this, and I can't wait to learn from all those trailblazers and get my feet under me to see how much better I can get."

After spending four years in New Haven, Hartje will remain in the Northeast and will have a strong support system of former teammates, coaches, and alumni nearby. 

"This is an exciting moment for Elle, her family and our entire program," said Bolding. "I'm excited to see what Elle can accomplish the next level of professional hockey in the very competitive and quickly emerging PWHL."

The PWHL will begin its second season in November.