Defender Ashton Bell has been named the captain of the Vancouver Goldeneyes in the PWHL, making her the first player to don the captain’s C on her jersey for the team. The leadership group was revealed just before the start of the Goldeneyes’ debut season, with NSL champion and Vancouver Rise FC captain Shannon Woeller joining in the announcement.
Bell, a 25-year-old hailing from Deloraine, Manitoba, played a significant role in the Ottawa Charge’s journey to the Walter Cup final last season, partnering with veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque. She holds an Olympic gold medal with the Canadian national team and has clinched the world championship title three times.
Having been selected as the top pick in the expansion draft by Vancouver, Bell is committed to a two-season contract with the Goldeneyes. Vancouver GM Cara Gardner Morey emphasized Bell’s exceptional leadership qualities as a key factor in the team’s decision to choose her.
Alongside Bell, the team’s leadership group includes defender Claire Thompson and forward Sarah Nurse, who will serve as alternate captains. Both Thompson and Nurse were also acquired by Vancouver during the expansion draft signing period and share Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.
Thompson, a 27-year-old from Toronto, returned to professional hockey last season after pursuing medical studies. In her inaugural PWHL season, she achieved Walter Cup victory with the Minnesota Frost and was a finalist for the league’s defender of the year award.
Gardner Morey commended Thompson’s captaincy skills, describing her as a balanced leader who combines a fun and light-hearted approach with fierce competitiveness on the ice. Nurse, on the other hand, began her PWHL career with the Toronto Sceptres and holds the fifth position in the PWHL’s all-time career points per game ranking.
The 30-year-old from Hamilton was a key scorer in the league’s first season, ranking second in scoring with 23 points in 24 games. Nurse also played a pivotal role in establishing the PWHL and participated in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement with the league’s owners.
Gardner Morey expressed her confidence in the leadership trio of Bell, Thompson, and Nurse, stating that they epitomize Goldeneyes hockey. The Goldeneyes will face the Seattle Torrent in their inaugural game on Friday night, with expectations of a sold-out arena and a new attendance record for a PWHL team’s home game.