Latest news with #womenshockey
CTV News
16 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
PWHL Vancouver signs former Frost defenders Thompson, Jaques as club's first players
Minnesota Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) Sophie Jacques (16) clear the puck, as Claire Thompson (42) falls while defending against Ottawa Charge's Shiann Darkangelo (27) during first period PWHL playoff hockey action in the Walter Cup Final, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Vancouver's new Professional Women's Hockey League team has signed its first player, nabbing defender Claire Thompson from the Minnesota Frost. The two-time Walter Cup champions left the 27-year-old defender exposed and Vancouver inked her to a one-year contract when the exclusive signing window opened to expansion teams on Wednesday. Vancouver later announced the signing of Thompson's Frost teammate and fellow blueliner Sophie Jaques to a three-year contract. 'I'm incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women's ice hockey,' Thompson said in a release. 'The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can't wait to connect with the fans and represent this city.' Thompson, who hails from Toronto, had four goals and 14 assists in 30 games for Minnesota last season. She added another six helpers in eight playoff appearances. Jaques had seven goals and 15 assists in 25 games, tying Renata Fast of the Toronto Sceptres for top spot in scoring by a defender. The 24-year-old Jaques, who's also from Toronto, contributed two goals and five assists in the post-season as the Frost captured the league championship for a second straight year. Thompson and Jaques are both finalists for the PWHL's defender of the year honour. 'I'm incredibly honoured to sign with PWHL Vancouver and to help lay the foundation for something truly special in this city,' Jaques said in a release. 'Being part of this historic moment means so much, and I can't wait to get started and represent Vancouver with pride in this vibrant and hockey-loving community.' Thompson and Jaques both have ample international experience. Thompson helped Canada to gold at the 2021 world championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, while Jaques was also on the world championship team that took silver earlier this year. The move to Vancouver will reunite Thompson with general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who was her coach at Princeton. 'Claire is one of the best defenders in the world and a phenomenal leader who will help create a culture of excellence in Vancouver,' Gardner Morey said in a release. 'Having had the privilege of coaching Claire at Princeton, I know how exceptional she is as a player and as a person and couldn't be prouder to build our foundation with her contributions both on and off the ice.' Seattle, the league's other expansion franchise, announced late Wednesday it had signed a one-year deal with former Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight, making her the team's first player. The 35-year-old American superstar is coming off a 2024-25 season where she registered 15 goals and 14 assists, tied for the league-lead in scoring. She's also up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player. Knight has a long history on the international stage, including winning gold for the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. 'Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer — she's the heartbeat of any team she joins,' Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a release. 'Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can't teach. Hilary's not just a game-changer on the ice, she's the kind of person who defines a culture, and we're incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.' Vancouver and Seattle can continue to sign unprotected players until the exclusive window for expansion clubs closes on Sunday. Both teams will then bolster their rosters with talent during Monday's expansion draft. A leaguewide draft will be held on June 24. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Star F Hilary Knight signs with expansion Seattle franchise
June 5 - The expansion Seattle franchise of the Professional Women's Hockey League signed legendary forward Hilary Knight to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Knight was left exposed in the expansion draft by the Boston Fleet. Seattle and fellow expansion franchise Vancouver were given a five-day window from June 4-8 to sign a maximum of five players prior to the June 9 zxdraft. Knight, a four-time U.S. Olympian who recently announced her intention to play in the 2026 Games in Milan, tied for the PWHL lead of 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in the recently concluded season. It was her second season with the Fleet. "Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer -- she's the heartbeat of any team she joins," Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a news release. "Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can't teach. "Hilary's not just a game-changer on the ice, she's the kind of person who defines a culture, and we're incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle." Knight, who turns 36 in July, has won one Olympic gold medal and three silvers. She had a regulation-time goal when the U.S. famously beat Canada in a shootout to win the 2018 gold medal in South Korea. In the 2022 Olympics, Knight had six goals and four assists. Overall, she has 12 goals and 15 assists in 22 Olympic contests. She also owns a record 15 medals (10 gold, five silver) at the Women's World Championships. The most recent gold came in April. "I'm incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women's hockey to the Pacific Northwest," Knight said. "Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I'm beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city. I'm grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter. "To my teammates, the staff, and the fans of Boston --- thank you. The Fleet wasn't just a team, it was home. These past two seasons were some of the most meaningful of my career, and I'll carry those memories with me forever." Across all levels of U.S. national team play, Knight has 161 goals and 125 assists in 243 games. The longtime resident of Sun Valley, Idaho, was a college star at Wisconsin and helped the Badgers win two national championships. The Seattle franchise will play at Climate Pledge Arena, the home of the NHL's Kraken. --Field Level Media
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Vancouver's expansion PWHL team signs its first player
Vancouver's new Professional Women's Hockey League team has signed its first player, nabbing defender Claire Thompson from the Minnesota Frost. Article content The two-time Walter Cup champions left the 27-year-old defender exposed and Vancouver inked her when the exclusive signing window opened to expansion teams on Wednesday. Article content Article content 'I'm incredibly excited to join PWHL Vancouver and be a part of this new chapter of women's ice hockey,' Thompson said in a news release. 'The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can't wait to connect with the fans and represent this city.' Article content Article content Thompson, who hails from Toronto, had four goals and 14 assists in 30 games for Minnesota last season and is a finalist for the PWHL's defender of the year honour. Article content She added another six helpers in eight playoff appearances as the Frost captured the league championship for a second straight year. Article content Thompson has ample international experience, helping Canada to gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Article content The move to Vancouver will reunite the five-foot-eight blueliner with general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who was her coach at Princeton. Article content
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
PWHL Second Season Delivers Major Gains In Fans, Sales, And Reach
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - MAY 26: Maddie Rooney #35 of the Minnesota Frost hoists the Walter Cup after ... More the Minnesota Frost defeated the Ottawa Charge 2-1 to win the Championship at Xcel Energy Center on May 26, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by) The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has announced historic growth following the conclusion of its second season, citing major gains across attendance, merchandise sales, digital engagement, and corporate partnerships. With the addition of expansion teams and increased community engagement, the league has taken significant steps in scaling professional women's hockey in North America and globally. The 2024–25 PWHL season welcomed a total of 737,455 fans across 102 games, representing a 52.5% increase over the league's inaugural season attendance of 483,530 (85 games). Average attendance also rose 27%, from 5,689 to 7,230 spectators per game. Since its inception, the PWHL has drawn a cumulative 1,220,985 attendees over two seasons, underscoring growing interest in the sport. 'This season, fans from every U.S. state and every Canadian province and territory caught a PWHL game, a remarkable moment for professional women's hockey,' said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations. TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Fans hold signs before Toronto plays New York in their PWHL hockey game at ... More the Mattamy Athletic Centre on January 1, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by) The league's PWHL Takeover Tour™ brought nine neutral-site regular-season games to new markets, attracting 123,601 fans. A Vancouver game at Rogers Arena recorded a sellout crowd of 19,038, the fourth-largest single-game audience in PWHL history. In Detroit, 14,288 fans set a new U.S. record for PWHL game attendance at Little Caesars Arena, marking the moment the league surpassed one million cumulative fans. Merchandise sales reflected 100% year-over-year growth, driven by the launch of official team names and logos, and new branded collections, including collaborations with Barbie, Peace Collective, and lululemon. The league's partnership portfolio expanded by 50%, adding brands such as Ally, Bravado, EA Sports, Factor Meals, Intact Insurance, Midea, and SharkNinja to its growing roster of corporate supporters. TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 9: A fan's custom Toronto Sceptres shoes are seen before Game Two of the First ... More Round of the 2025 PWHL Playoffs between the Minnesota Frost and the Toronto Sceptres at Coca-Cola Coliseum on May 9, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by) Digital engagement surged, with social media interactions across platforms including X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube increasing by 68% from the first season. Live games were streamed in 106 countries, up from 88, and the redesigned website attracted more than 20 million views from users in over 150 countries. 'Season Two has been nothing short of historic,' said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. 'From our inaugural Takeover Tour to the announcement of new expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver, the growth and energy around the league are undeniable.' Toronto Sceptres forward Natalie Spooner greets fans at the beginning of a Professional Women's ... More Hockey League game against the Boston Fleet at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Canada, on February 14, 2025. Toronto prevails in the match by a 3-1 final score. (Photo by Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The PWHL also deepened its connection to fans and players through Unity Games, which celebrated events such as Black History Month, Women's Empowerment Month, Pride, Indigenous Heritage, Mental Health Awareness, and Community Hockey Heroes. Each game featured custom artwork by community artists, and included special programming, in-game tributes, and collaborations with local and national organizations. These events showcased the league's commitment to representation, inclusion, and using the platform of professional sports to highlight diverse voices and causes. At the grassroots level, the league launched its first Fantasy Camp in Toronto in January, an immersive experience that allowed adult fans to train, compete, and engage with PWHL athletes and staff, providing a rare insider perspective on the life of a professional hockey player. In April, Minnesota hosted the inaugural PWHL Breakthrough Cup powered by PLAY Hockey, the league's first girls' hockey tournament. The event brought together teams of all ages and skill levels to compete, connect, and celebrate the game, reinforcing the PWHL's commitment to developing the next generation of female hockey playersand strengthening the sport's pipeline from youth to professional levels. As the PWHL prepares for its third season, including the introduction of expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver, the league continues to lay the foundation for sustainable growth, increased visibility, and long-term success in professional women's sports.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
In shocking move, Hilary Knight was exposed to PWHL expansion. Why?
After weeks of speculation, the PWHL expansion protection list has been released. And one of the best women's hockey players of all time is not on it. Hilary Knight, Team USA's most decorated women's hockey player, was not protected by the Boston Fleet ahead of Tuesday afternoon's deadline. As expected, Boston protected star goalie Aerin Frankel and No. 1 defender Megan Keller. But with the third protection slot, the Fleet opted to protect forward Alina Müller, leaving Knight, the team's captain, exposed to Seattle and Vancouver. Advertisement The league's two new franchises will have a five-day window, starting on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET, during which they can sign up to five players — either free agents or unprotected players — before the June 9 PWHL expansion draft. Once the Fleet lose two players, either in the signing window or the draft, general manager Danielle Marmer can protect one more player. Until then, however, Knight is wholly available. Selecting her in expansion should be a no-brainer. Seattle could even try to sign the U.S. star as a cornerstone player as soon as Wednesday. Knight will turn 36 this summer and likely carries one of the league's larger cap hits — the PWHL does not currently disclose salaries — which could be a deterrent for Seattle or Vancouver. But she was also one of the best players in the PWHL's sophomore season. Knight led the league in scoring (29 points in 30 games) and only Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored more goals than Knight's 15. She was named a finalist for league MVP and Forward of the Year. Internationally, Knight won her record 10th gold medal at women's world championships and broke the all-time assist record at the tournament where she was already the all-time goals and points leader. Last week, Knight was named the USA Hockey women's player of the year. Off the ice, very few players have anything close to the cachet that Knight has, particularly in an American market. If she were signed or drafted by Seattle, she would undoubtedly help grow the fan base and market swiftly, much like her star counterparts in soccer (Megan Rapinoe) and basketball (Sue Bird) have done. Not to mention, she would bring veteran leadership to the locker room, which would surely be an important intangible for a new club. Given that Seattle general manager Meghan Turner was the assistant GM in Boston for two years, she will know exactly what Knight brings to a team and locker room. Advertisement While leaving Knight unprotected is a shocking move, Marmer had a difficult choice to make, with only three initial protection slots. Neither Knight nor the team have commented on the decision. The locks in Boston had long been assumed to be Frankel and Keller. Frankel is one of the best goalies in the PWHL and was Boston's MVP on most nights over the first two seasons. Keller is the team's best, most experienced, defender. That left one protection slot for Knight, Müller and 2024 first-round pick Hannah Bilka. Both Bilka (24) and Müller (27) are younger than Knight and could reasonably be expected to play for the Fleet long-term. Without knowing Knight's plans for her pro career, it's hard to speculate what she'll do at the end of her three-year contract in 2026. She did announce the 2026 Milan Olympics will be her last, signaling that the end to her legendary career could be coming. Knight said she still plans to play in the PWHL after Milan, but for how long remains to be seen. Realistically, if Marmer were to protect Knight, she'd run the risk of losing all three players in short order – Müller and Bilka to expansion, and Knight to retirement. Protecting Müller — even if it likely means losing Knight — ensures the team keeps at least one of its core forwards for more than a few years. There's also the salary cap to consider. With Knight's contract — one of Boston's $80,000 minimum salaries — on the books, the team could have a hard time replacing Müller and Bilka in free agency. Especially while competing for free agents with expansion teams that will get to hand-pick the best players with the best contracts. If Knight were to be selected, Boston could have more money to try to sign a top free agent or two. The entry draft could help Boston too, with potential top-line players in the first few rounds, but it's not a particularly deep incoming class in 2025. If Boston is going to attempt to replace the offense and talent it's losing in expansion, it will likely need to come from free agency. Advertisement The best case scenario for Boston is that Knight isn't selected in expansion, and the Fleet keep her and Müller as an elite top-line combo. While unlikely, it's possible. Perhaps Seattle and Vancouver decide to draft younger rosters. Or they speak with Knight during the signing window and find she vehemently doesn't want to leave Boston. Maybe Knight's contract will be too much for the team to take on with other star players — like Alex Carpenter and Sarah Nurse — also available for selection. Still, for what she brings both on and off the ice, Knight sits at the top of the 'available players' list. And now, for another few days, we wait to see where she ends up.
