NEW YORK (June 20, 2025) – The New York Sirens announced Friday that the team has re-signed defender Lauren Bernard and forward Kayla Vespa to one-year Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreements for the 2025-26 season.
Lauren Bernard, Defender, 1-year Standard Player Agreement
Bernard, a 23-year-old from Madison, Ohio, was initially acquired by New York in March after beginning her rookie season with the Toronto Sceptres. With the Sirens, she appeared in eight games and contributed two assists.
“There is no doubt that Lauren Bernard’s ceiling, full potential, and determination to reach it make her a player we’re excited to continue working with after starting that journey mid-season,” said General Manager Pascal Daoust.
In the 2024 PWHL Draft, Bernard was selected by Toronto in the fourth round and went on to play 15 games for the Sceptres, contributing one assist offensively. Prior to turning pro, she developed across five NCAA seasons, including two with the Clarkson University Golden Knights and three with the Ohio State University Buckeyes. At Ohio State, she became a two-time National Champion, a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, and appeared in 118 games, recording 105 blocked shots, 15 goals and 47 assists.
“I am honored to be re-signing with the New York Sirens,” said Bernard. “Being able to represent this organization and passionate fan base means so much to me and I’m thrilled to continue contributing to the foundation that we’ve been building.”
Kayla Vespa, Forward, 1-year Standard Player Agreement
Vespa, a 28-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, appeared in 10 games for New York during the 2024-25 season after beginning the campaign on the team’s Reserve Player list. She has been a part of the Sirens organization since being selected in the thirteenth round of the inaugural PWHL Draft and recorded two goals and one assist in 23 games during the inaugural season.
“Kayla Vespa is a role model through her tenacity, passion, and commitment to doing whatever it takes for the good of the team. Her speed and respect for the game make her a teammate you can trust at any moment,” said Daoust.
Prior to the PWHL, Vespa played three seasons in the PWHPA, including the 2022-23 campaign as a member of Team Adidas where she appeared in 19 games and scored five goals and six assists. Collegiately, she competed for St. Lawrence University and totaled 135 games with 68 points. Vespa earned ECAC All-Academic Honors in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
“I am so excited to be back for my third season with the New York Sirens,” said Vespa. “I’m fired up to hit the ice with my teammates and feel the love from our fans—let’s make this one unforgettable!”
Vespa and Bernard return to a Sirens lineup that has 11 other players under contract for the 2025-26 season, including forward Taylor Girard, who also re-signed with the team on Wednesday.
The Sirens will also continue adding to its roster with six picks in the 2025 PWHL Draft, including the first overall selection. Fans can watch the 2025 PWHL Draft presented by Upper Deck on Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. ET, live on the league’s YouTube channel and in Canada on TSN.
Fans looking to stay up to date on ticket release dates, team announcements, and exclusive offers are encouraged to subscribe to The Beat, the official Sirens newsletter. For ticket related inquiries, please contact newyorkinfo@thepwhl.com.
ABOUT NEW YORK SIRENS
The New York Sirens is one of eight teams in the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which was founded in 2023. The PWHL began its inaugural season in January 2024 and features the best women’s hockey players in the world. The PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide record for a women’s hockey game. For the latest news and information on the New York Sirens, visit newyork.thepwhl.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.
ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL)
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprised of eight teams in Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Seattle and Vancouver, each with rosters featuring the best women’s hockey players in the world. Launched on Jan. 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women’s hockey game. In 2024, the PWHL was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year and received the top position in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll, which ranks companies’ reputations. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter to receive the latest league updates. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
New York Sirens
Hannah Beckman, Media and Community Relations Coordinator
newyorkmedia@thepwhl.com