After a week of expansion buzz, PWHL Vancouver officially has their first 12 players. Five were signed during the expansion teams’ Exclusive Signing Window, while the remaining seven were picked during the Expansion Draft on June 9.

Former UMD Bulldog Ashton Bell was the first overall pick going to new franchise in Vancouver. Formerly with the Ottawa Charge, she recorded four goals and four assists last season. Vancouver also took four skaters from the Minnesota Frost: defenders Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson, and forwards Brooke McQuigge and Denisa Křížová.

PWHL Seattle GM Meghan Turner can already envision having her top two lines in place with a group of forwards led by Hilary Knight. In Vancouver, general manager Cara Gardner Morey’s emphasis was defense first.