PWHL Vancouver Signs Key Players Including Claire Thompson

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Vancouver team has begun building its roster for the inaugural 2025 season, signing key players including defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques, forwards Jenn Gardiner and Sarah Nurse, and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer. Claire Thompson, a standout from Princeton University, has been recognized for both her athletic and academic achievements and was signed to a one-year contract. Meanwhile, the Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec (LHJMQ) is preparing for its 2025 Repechage draft, a critical event for teams to select unpicked young talent, with potential changes to eligibility and selection order expected to influence team strategies. In the U.S. South, hockey has seen significant growth since the NHL’s 1990s expansion into non-traditional markets, with teams like the Florida Panthers now competing in the Stanley Cup Final and youth participation rising notably. Additionally, grassroots hockey is thriving, as exemplified by community events like the Tri-City Americans’ outreach in Pendleton, Oregon, where youth players, including members of Native American tribes, are inspired by professional players and encouraged to develop their skills. These developments reflect a broadening and deepening interest in hockey across various levels and regions.