During the off-season, the Connecticut Whale moved to Northford Ice Pavilion in North Branford, Connecticut, and the defending champion Boston Pride moved to the new Warrior Ice Arena in the Boston neighborhood of Brighton.

On August 1, 2016, it was announced that the New York Riveters moved from Brooklyn to the Barnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, situated within the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils practice arena.

Kessel would go on to score the first hat trick in NWHL All-Star history.

Defender Kelsey Koelzer of Princeton was selected first overall by the New York Riveters.

[8] Haley Skarupa (Right) Michelle Picard (Right) Hannah Brandt (Right) Dana Trivigno (Right) Alex Carpenter (Right) Miye D'Oench (Right)