Ashton Bell, a defender, has been appointed as 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 team revealed its leadership lineup on Friday morning just before commencing their inaugural season. The announcement was made by Shannon Woeller, the captain of NSL champion Vancouver Rise FC.
Hailing from Deloraine, Manitoba, the 25-year-old Bell played a crucial role in 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 thrice.
Vancouver selected Bell with the top pick in the expansion draft, and she is under contract for two seasons with the Goldeneyes.
The General Manager of Vancouver, Cara Gardner Morey, highlighted Bell’s leadership skills as a key factor in her selection as the top pick in the expansion draft.
In a statement, Gardner Morey mentioned, “She is a professional who sets an example for her teammates while looking out for them.”
Bell will be accompanied in the leadership group by defender Claire Thompson and forward Sarah Nurse, who will serve as alternate captains.
Both Thompson and Nurse were acquired by Vancouver during the expansion draft signing period. Similar to Bell, they are Olympic gold medalists with Team Canada.
Thompson, a 27-year-old from Toronto, returned to professional hockey last season after pursuing medical studies. In her debut PWHL season, she secured the Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost and was a finalist for the league’s defender of the year award.
The PWHL’s newest expansion team, the Vancouver Goldeneyes, are about to embark on their inaugural season in the league.
“Claire is one of the best captains I’ve worked with,” stated Gardner Morey. “She strikes a balance between being fun and light-hearted while also being a fierce competitor on the ice.”
On the other hand, Nurse began her PWHL career with the Toronto Sceptres, playing two seasons with the team. She holds the fifth position in career points per game in the PWHL, with 37 points in 45 games.
The 30-year-old from Hamilton tied for the second spot in scoring during the initial PWHL season, accumulating 23 points in 24 games. She played a significant role in establishing the PWHL and was actively