VANCOUVER 鈥� 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鈥檚 ice hockey," Thompson said in a release. "The opportunity to help build something special from the ground up is truly meaningful. I can鈥檛 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.
鈥淚'm incredibly honoured to sign with PWHL Vancouver and to help lay the foundation for something truly special in this city,鈥� Jaques said in a release. 鈥淏eing 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,鈥� 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鈥檛 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 鈥� she鈥檚 the heartbeat of any team she joins,鈥� Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a release.
鈥淗er proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can鈥檛 teach. Hilary鈥檚 not just a game-changer on the ice, she鈥檚 the kind of person who defines a culture, and we鈥檙e incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.鈥�
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.
The Canadian Press
