VANCOUVER (August 14, 2025) –– PWHL Vancouver announced today that defender Ashton Bell has signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the team through the 2027-28 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. PWHL Vancouver acquired Bell with one year remaining in her PWHL contract when she was selected first overall in the 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft in June.
“We are excited to form a long-term commitment with Ashton and have her help lead our defence core in Vancouver through our first three seasons,” said Cara Gardner Morey, PWHL Vancouver General Manager. “Ashton will play a significant part in building the foundation of our defence. She is going to be a leader both on the ice and in the locker room, and we are delighted to have her with us through 2027-28.”
The 25-year-old from Deloraine, Manitoba spent the last two seasons with the Ottawa Charge and was named to the 2024 PWHL All-Rookie Team in the league’s inaugural season, along with fellow PWHL Vancouver defender Sophie Jaques. Last season, Bell registered three goals and three assists in 27 regular season games, then played in all eight of Ottawa’s playoff games and scored in the team’s opening win over Montréal.
Bell is a three-time IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medalist (2021, 2022, 2024) as well as an Olympic champion, having represented Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Her considerable international experience started at the U18 level, with silver medals in the 2016 and 2017 U18 Worlds. Bell played with the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2017 to 2023, with 119 points through 164 games (43G, 76A). She claimed team MVP accolades in 2020-21 and co-captained the team with former Charge teammate Gabbie Hughes in her final season.
“I am so honoured for the opportunity to be part of PWHL Vancouver for the next three years! Already in my short time here, this city and the excitement around having a team out west has been incredible,” said Bell. “I can’t wait for puck drop this season and to be alongside the inaugural group bringing professional women’s hockey to Vancouver. This is the start of something special and I’m looking forward to building a legacy together.”
Bell is part of a strong PWHL Vancouver defence core that includes Claire Thompson, Sophie Jaques, Sydney Bard, Mellissa Channell-Watkins and Emma Greco, and is one of three players currently signed through the 2027-28 season, along with Jaques and Hannah Miller.
Season Ticket Memberships for PWHL Vancouver’s inaugural season are available via the PWHL Vancouver website. Starting at $27 per game, Season Ticket Memberships include a reserved seat for all 13 2025-26 regular season home games at the Pacific Coliseum as well as Founding Season Ticket Member status. For the latest news and updates, fans can subscribe to the Vancouver newsletter.
Click here for a full list of PWHL offseason transactions.
ABOUT PWHL VANCOUVER
PWHL Vancouver is part of the eight-team Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and was announced in April 2025 as one of the league’s first two expansion clubs. Set to debut in the 2025–26 season, PWHL Vancouver will play its home games at Pacific Coliseum, located on the property of the PNE. The PWHL was founded in 2023 and began its inaugural season in January 2024, featuring the best women’s hockey players in the world. Since launch, the league has broken multiple attendance records, including setting the global record for attendance at a women’s hockey game.
For the latest news and information on PWHL Vancouver, visit thepwhl.com/Vancouver or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Follow the league at @thepwhlofficial on all platforms.
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