By Evan Wechman

Randolph native Leah Stecker is like many recent college graduates. As a 2026 Penn State University graduate, she is excited to start her career. However, her first job will be a little different than most graduates.

When Stecker graduated from Morristown Beard High School and initially started her collegiate studies, she thought that four years later, she would probably be at a desk job, or even quite possibly, coaching hockey. 

But her initial job will be working for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Stecker’s dream of playing professional hockey came true last month when at the 2026 PWHL Draft in Detroit, she was drafted in the third round, 27th overall by Boston. 

This achievement makes Stecker only the second New Jersey-born player to be drafted to the PWHL. More importantly, she is the first player to be drafted to the league after playing high school hockey in New Jersey. Though the accomplishment might make some people nervous, Stecker was excited about what happened in Detroit, even if she was a little surprised. 

“It was a shock in a good sense seeing everything that I’ve ever worked for, kind of just come into play, which was awesome, and I joke that I don’t have any memory of that day, but it was just so amazing and so great,” Stecker said.

For the Randolph native, this has been a long path, but one she has thoroughly

enjoyed. Stecker recalls she always loved sports even as a child attending elementary school in Randolph, where she was first introduced to hockey.

“Funny story, my dad is a huge hockey fan. He asked me one day when I was around four years old if I wanted to play, and I looked at him like he was crazy. I said ‘no way, I don’t want to play hockey,’ and I was a big time tomboy growing up, so basically all my friends in middle school were boys,” she said. But one of the boys said ‘You should try ice hockey,’ and I said, ‘Sign me up.’ So that was in first grade.”

From that moment forward, Stecker loved hockey and excelled at it as well. She continued playing in different leagues throughout her teen years, and wanted to play high school hockey at a competitive level.

In her area, there was one school that stood out among the rest: Morristown Beard High School. It was well known for both its strong academics and hockey program headed by legendary coach and Stanley Cup winner Bruce Driver. This was where Stecker wanted to apply.

Stecker not only was admitted to Morristown Beard, but she excelled on the hockey team. She was named an All-State honoree four times. Also, she was recognized as the New Jersey Girls Ice Hockey Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season, and led Morristown Beard to state championships in 2020 and 2022.

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However, Stecker, a strong defenseman, understands it was a team effort led by a terrific coach.

“He (Driver) taught me so many things, and just playing for someone with that big of a name was awesome,” Stecker said. “And, I owe him a lot. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to go to Morristown Beard, so he fulfilled a lifelong dream for me.”

Stecker continued her outstanding success at Penn State where she and her teammates advanced all the way to the national semifinals, which culminated in seven players from her team being drafted in the 2026 PWHL Draft.

For Stecker, it was a dream season.

“It was just such a great year, and honestly was such a storybook ending with our class being together for all four years, and having everyone drafted was just the cherry on top,” Stecker said.

Stecker is hoping to have the same type of success at the professional level, as well as the same camaraderie. She has gotten to know some of the staff of the Boston Fleet and is impressed with their support.

Stecker knows succeeding at the professional level will not be easy, but she remains focused on continuing to develop her game. In addition, she is excited and proud of what she has accomplished.

“It’s obviously such an honor,” Stecker said of being drafted. “Growing up I didn’t really think this could be a reality.This means a lot. It kind of just shows the younger girls in the state that it’s very possible.”