Vancouver's newest pro hockey players pumped for Professional Women's Hockey League debut

Sarah Nurse knew Vancouver was primed for professional women's hockey well before the massively successful Take Over Tour hit the ice at Rogers Arena this past January.

"The love of the sport was pretty loud," she said, speaking to a gaggle of media assembled at Jack Poole Plaza on Friday.

"It really struck me how many people on the street stopped us to say hello, said they were coming to the game, said we can't wait for you guys to be here, we love women's hockey."

One of the biggest names in the game and a prolific scorer, Nurse became the face of the new Vancouver Professional Women's Hockey League franchise when she was signed back in June after two stellar seasons with the original six team Toronto Sceptres.

Also front and centre for Vancouver is Surrey forward Jenn Gardiner, a finalist for PWHL rookie of the year last season with the Montreal Victoire.

One of just two B.C. players on the Vancouver roster — North Vancouver forward Hannah Miller is the other — Gardiner is keenly aware of what it means to be launching pro female hockey in her home province.

"Look at our reality. We're playing hockey, our favourite sport, for a living... And that concept can now become a reality for all these younger girls ," said the bubbly Gardiner.

"Now, it's not a dream of playing for the Vancouver Canucks with the Sedins like I once had. Now you can dream [about playing] on PWHL Vancouver, which is the most special part."

Based on her ear-splitting experience at the Take Over Tour, Gardiner expects local fans to bring the noise to the team's 15 regular-season home games beginning in November at the Pacific Coliseum.

"I think we can anticipate that's what every home game is going to be like here in Vancouver," she said. "It's going to be intimidating for any team to walk in and play against that."

Seasons ticket sales have been booming, and new blocks of seats opened in the Coliseum's upper bowl, according to team executives. As well, the 200 seats for Saturday's free "meet the players" event sold out in under 12 minutes.

Less speedy is the work behind the scenes at the franchise to choose a team name and logo.

Tania Richards, director of business operations, told CBC News there are ongoing consultations with local First Nations that may come into play. As well, whatever name and images that are chosen have to pass muster on trademark and intellectual property considerations in both Canada and the United States.

Meanwhile, upgrades to the Coliseum are well underway, including a new jumbotron and rink boards, improved lighting and sound, and new brine for the ice. New ice-making equipment is going in next door at the Agrodome, where the team will practise.

The league is expected to announce the 2025-26 season schedule in early fall.