Vancouver Team Prepares for PWHL
The Vancouver team, set to join the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in the upcoming 2025-26 season, has been diligently crafting a roster that’s poised for success. Following their strategic expansion draft, the team bolstered their lineup on the very first day of free agency by signing talented forwards Hannah Miller and Tereza Vanisová, according to insiders familiar with the situation.
Key Player Signings
Hailing from North Vancouver, Hannah Miller emerged as the top free agent available, widely regarded for her impressive versatility as a forward. Not only did she shine on Toronto’s top power play last season, but her well-rounded game also made her a valuable asset in even-strength situations, finishing with a stellar plus-14 rating—the second-best in the league, trailing only Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin. Miller has the potential to occupy a key role as either a second-line center or a top-six winger, and fans might see her reunited with former Toronto Sceptres teammate Sarah Nurse, who had signed with Vancouver earlier in the pre-draft period.
Joining Miller is Tereza Vanisová, ranked as the second-best free agent according to various assessments. The Czech player recently concluded her most fruitful season in the league while playing for the Ottawa Charge, where she topped her team’s scoring charts with 22 points, including 15 goals—making her one of the leading scorers in the league. Vanisová, known for her elite skating and offensive skills, is expected to inject speed and creativity into Vancouver’s attacking lineup.
Strengthening the Roster
These new additions complement Vancouver’s already impressive roster, which features notable players like Sarah Nurse, along with solid defensive talents such as Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson. During last week’s expansion draft, GM Cara Gardner Morey prioritized strengthening the team’s defensive core, selecting two adept puck-moving defenders, with Ashton Bell being a standout, along with two promising two-way forwards, Gabby Rosenthal and Denisa Křížová.
After the draft, Gardner Morey expressed intentions to further enhance the lineup by acquiring additional top-tier forwards, a goal she has successfully achieved with the signings of Miller and Vanisová.
There are indications, according to league insiders, that the team’s roster building is far from over, hinting at more strategic moves in the near future.
