PWHL Vancouver expansion draft: exclusive signing recap

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Vancouver and Seattle, the two new teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), are officially building their rosters for their entry into the PWHL this season. 

The roster building process takes place in two parts; the exclusive signing window and the expansion draft. This will build the new franchise’s roster of 12. The exclusive signing window is now over. 

Here is a breakdown of Vancouver’s first additions, but first let’s get into how these two new franchise’s are starting to build their team.

Explaining the Process

Before Vancouver and Seattle were able to start signing and drafting players, the original 6 PWHL teams got to protect 3 players on their roster that Vancouver and Seattle could not select, in either of the 2 phases. Once these 2 new teams signed or selected 2 players from an original team, a fourth player was able to be protected.

The first phase, the exclusive signing window, was where Vancouver and Seattle were allowed to sign up to 5 players from the already existing PWHL teams. 

The second phase, the expansion draft, was where Vancouver and Seattle were allowed to select at least 7 players from the unprotected rosters to complete a 12 player team. 

The amount of selections in the draft is determined by how many players are signed in the exclusive signing window. Since both teams signed their maximum of 5, both Vancouver and Seattle will select 7 players in the expansion draft.

Where teams are in Building their Roster’s

The exclusive signing window opened on June 4, 2025, and closed on June 8, 2025, but since Vancouver and Seattle have signed their maximum, no new roster additions happened until the expansion draft, which took place on June 9, 2025. 

Let’s take a look at who Vancouver signed in their exclusive signing window, adding the first 5 players in the franchise ahead of their inaugural season.

Signing 1 - Claire Thompson

Claire Thompson, was drafted third overall in the 2024 PWHL draft, and was the first ever Vancouver PWHL player signed. The Toronto native signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement and will play with the team through the 2025-26 season.

She won her first Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost, who have now won their second consecutive Walter Cup. She is also a finalist for the PWHL 2025 Defender of the Year award. The winner will be announced on June 25, 2025 in Ottawa. Thompson finished third in points amongst defensemen with four goals and 14 assists totaling 18 points in 30 games.

Per Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News, Thompson was roommates with Vancouver’s second signed in Minnesota, Sophie Jaques, providing the two players with a familiar face.

Signing 2 - Sophie Jaques

Jaques, roommates with Thompson in Minnesota and also from Toronto, was a defender from the Frost. She won the 2025 Walter Cup with Thompson, and she also won it with the Frost in 2024 during the PWHL inaugural season. Jaques signed a three-year Standard Player Agreement and will be a leader in Vancouver for a while.

Like Thompson, Jaques is also a finalist for the 2025 Defender of the Year award, finishing the season tied for the scoring league among defenders with seven goals and 15 assists for a total of 22 points in 25 games.

With their first two signings, Vancouver has set up a great defensive pair to be a part of their club in their inaugural season.

Signing 3 - Emerance Maschmeyer

With defense off to a great start, Vancouver looked for an experienced netminder and someone to defend. They found this in the signing of Emerance Maschmeyer, marking Vancouver’s third signing and first goaltender signing. She signed a two-year Standard Player Agreement and will be a strong backbone for Vancouver.

An original 3 foundational signing for the Ottawa Fleet, Maschmeyer has a career goals-against-average of 2.42 and a save percentage of .914. She was also the first goaltender in the PWHL to exceed 1,000 career regular-season saves.

Maschmeyer led the PWHL inaugural season with 548 saves and will look to help lead Vancouver in their inaugural season.

Signing 4 - Sarah Nurse

With Vancouver’s defensive core taking shape, now, with 2 signings left, it was time to turn to offense. Vancouver’s first forward signing and fourth overall signing was former Toronto Scepters player, Sarah Nurse. She signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement with the Vancouver organization.

Like Maschmeyer, Nurse was 1 of 3 foundational signings, but for the Scepters rather than the Fleet. Nurse has posted high numbers throughout her PWHL career, totalling 37 points, 17 goals and 20 assists, in 45 games played.

Nurse has already played a game in Vancouver when the Scepters took on the Montréal Victoire during their Takeover Tour. With a taste for the Vancouver crowd that is more than ready for their PWHL team, Nurse is a great addition to the team to get the crowd going.

Signing 5 - Jennifer Gardiner

With their fifth and final signing in the exclusive window period, Vancouver signed their second forward, and BC native, Jenn Gardiner. She signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement with her hometown team.

Gardiner, originally part of the Victoire, played against Nurse and the Scepters at Rogers Arena during the Takeover Tour, also having a glimpse of the Vancouver crowd.

She was drafted eleventh overall by the Victoire in 2024 PWHL draft and is a finalist for the PWHL Rookie of the Year award, to be announced on June 25. Amongst all rookies this season, Gardiner finished second for points at 18, 5 goals and 13 assists. She ranked third in points amongst the Victoire.

A player still growing, Gardiner is a great addition ready to contribute and is motivated by playing in her home province.

Vancouver’s first 5 players are officially signed and ready to play. The new franchise signed 2 defenseman, 2 forwards, and a goalie, creating balance within the team already. The impressive lineup became stronger and more equipped for their inaugural season after the expansion draft on June 9.