Canadian Olympian Joins Expansion Team for Inaugural Season
VANCOUVER, BC – PWHL Vancouver has officially signed Sarah Nurse to a one-year contract, bringing one of hockey’s most dynamic forwards to the franchise’s first-ever roster. Nurse, a two-time Olympic medalist, spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Sceptres and now becomes the fourth player to sign with Vancouver ahead of its 2025-26 debut campaign.
A Game-Changer on and off the Ice
Vancouver General Manager Cara Gardner Morey praised Nurse’s impact, stating:
“Sarah is one of the sport’s biggest stars, both on and off the ice, and she will play a significant role in growing professional women’s hockey in Vancouver. Her outstanding on-ice abilities will help establish our foundation at forward, and her unwavering commitment to building an inclusive hockey community makes her a fan favorite everywhere she goes.”
Nurse’s Stellar Career
Nurse was one of Toronto’s first foundational signings in the PWHL’s debut season, ranking:
- Fifth all-time in career points-per-game average (0.82).
- Tied for second in league scoring with 23 points in 24 games in 2023-24.
- A Second Team All-Star selection in the league’s inaugural season.
- Six-time World Championship medalist, including three gold medals for Team Canada.
This season, she contributed 14 points in 21 games and played in front of a sold-out Rogers Arena crowd in Vancouver during the PWHL Takeover Tour on Jan. 8.
Historic Olympic Performance & Collegiate Success
Nurse made history at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, breaking the single-tournament points record with 18, helping Canada secure gold. She also won silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, competing professionally in the CWHL and PWHPA before joining the PWHL.
Excited for a New Chapter in Vancouver
Nurse expressed her enthusiasm for joining Vancouver, stating:
“I am so honored to be joining PWHL Vancouver, finally bringing professional women’s hockey to the West Coast! I already got a taste of the passion last year during the Takeover Tour and can’t wait to experience that daily. The vision for this organization could not be more exciting, and I am so humbled by Cara’s confidence in me as a player and as a person. The love and support I’ve felt already has meant so much to me—puck drop can’t come soon enough!”
Vancouver’s Expansion Roster Takes Shape
Nurse is the first forward to join Vancouver’s lineup, alongside:
- Emerance Maschmeyer (goaltender)
- Sophie Jaques (defender)
- Claire Thompson (defender)
With Nurse’s signing, Vancouver has now reached four of its five allowed expansion signings.
Next Steps – 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft
Expansion teams have until Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. ET to sign a maximum of five players before the 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft, presented by Upper Deck, takes place on Monday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Fans can watch the live draft via thepwhl.com and the league’s YouTube channel, where Seattle and Vancouver will each select at least seven additional players to complete their 12-player roster minimum.
