Defender Ashton Bell has been named the captain of the Vancouver Goldeneyes in the PWHL, becoming the first player to don the captain’s C on her sweater for the team. The leadership group for the Goldeneyes was revealed on Friday morning ahead of the team’s debut season, with NSL champion and Vancouver Rise FC captain Shannon Woeller assisting in the announcement.
Bell, a 25-year-old hailing from Deloraine, Manitoba, played a pivotal role in the Ottawa Charge’s journey to the Walter Cup final last season alongside veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque. She is an Olympic gold medalist with the Canadian national team and has clinched the world championship three times.
Selected as the top pick in the expansion draft by Vancouver, Bell has signed a two-season deal with the Goldeneyes. Vancouver GM Cara Gardner Morey highlighted Bell’s exceptional leadership qualities as a key factor in her selection.
Joining Bell in the leadership group are defender Claire Thompson and forward Sarah Nurse, who will serve as alternate captains. Both players were acquired by Vancouver during the expansion draft signing period and share Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.
Thompson, a 27-year-old from Toronto, made her return to professional hockey last season after a hiatus for medical school. She secured the Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost in her first PWHL campaign and was a finalist for the league’s defender of the year award.
Nurse, aged 30 and from Hamilton, spent her initial two PWHL seasons with the Toronto Sceptres. She holds the fifth spot in career points per game in PWHL history, tallying 37 points in 45 games. Nurse was instrumental in the establishment of the PWHL and played a significant role in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement with the league’s owners.
Gardner Morey praised Thompson’s captaincy skills, noting her ability to balance a light-hearted demeanor with fierce competitiveness on the ice. Regarding Nurse, the GM described her as a player advocate who garners respect from staff and adoration from teammates.
The Goldeneyes will face off against the Seattle Torrent on Friday night at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET in a highly anticipated game that has already sold out. Expectations are high for record attendance at the Goldeneyes’ home rink during this matchup.
